Thursday, April 16, 1998

Open House shows off new Extension Center in grand style

By J.T. SMITH / Abilene Reporter-News

"Wow! -- This is a great facility."

Those were the words of District 7 Extension Director Scott Durham of San Angelo Wednesday as he toured the new Taylor County Extension Center at 1982 Lytle Way.

Durham's words were echoed again and again as folks came and went during the three-hour Open House of the facility on the south side of the Expo Center grounds. The entire complex, including the Big Country Hall, is about 32,000 square feet -- with a large parking area. Ideally located, it also is just next door to the Modern Living Mall.

Offices inside include those of Taylor County Extension Agent Gary Bomar and Lynda Fogerson, county Extension agent for family and consumer sciences, Holly Bills, assistant CEA for FCS, and Kyle Miller, assistant Taylor County ag agent, along with Amy Acosta, 4-H secretary, and Jennifer Anderson, Extension secretary.

Their offices also are connected by hallways to the Middle Clear Fork Soil and Water Conservation District office with Fred Perkins, executive director, and Charlene Garner, SWCD secretary.

Both entrances to the new Extension and SWCD offices face the southeast with their foyers.

The Extension Service office actually moved from the third floor of the Old Courthouse the third week of March to the Expo Center. The office was in that courthouse basement from the mid-1950s until the early 1970s as the new courthouse was built. It moved up to the third floor at that time but remained in the Old Courthouse.

Prior to the Old Courthouse location, the Extension and USDA offices were east of Old Courthouse in a small building.

The new facility is a cooperative effort of the Expo Center and Taylor County Commissioners with the Texas A&M University System.

In its few weeks since opening, it has hosted 18 meetings and events -- with capacity crowds turning out for organic gardening guru Malcolm Beck as well as the recent Big Country Pecan Seminar with Dr. George Ray McEachern.

A giant upcoming event will the the Progressive Farmer magazine Farm Safety Day Camp June 17, which will utilize the spacious Big Country Hall. The office will be convenient during the State 4-H Horse Show in Abilene in July. And the ACCO Showmaster Showdown, another major event, is coming in early August.

From kitchen to meeting room, the facility can accommodate both educational seminars and workshops for adults as well as the many 4-H activities.