OSU Extension warns SNAP-Ed federal funding discontinued Sept. 30; announces educator retirement and fall programs

An OSU Extension representative told the Board of Commissioners on Sept. 2 that federal funding for the SNAP Education (SNAP-Ed) program has been discontinued effective Sept. 30 and that local Extension staff will continue limited programming as schedules allow until told otherwise.

Ashley Kolhanick, agriculture and natural resources extension educator, presented a quarterly update for OSU Extension and relayed the SNAP-Ed funding change. She said statewide SNAP-Ed previously reached more than 250,000 low-income individuals annually with direct nutrition education and another 2,000,000 through statewide social-marketing campaigns, and she thanked Medina County partners who have supported local programming. Kolhanick said Extension will notify stakeholders if funding is restored.

Why it matters: SNAP-Ed funding supports nutrition education and community partnerships that reach low-income residents; the potential loss of federal funds could curtail local programming unless alternate funding is found.

Kolhanick also announced that community development educator Kyle White will retire in October and listed continuing and upcoming Extension offerings including beginning grant-writing workshops, canning classes, Safe Sitter sessions, pond school, Master Gardener and Certified Volunteer Naturalist training, and an Ag Day event scheduled for Sept. 26 that will host more than 300 seventh-graders for agricultural career exploration.

Extension staff reported summer 4-H participation numbers from the county fair: 1,059 youth exhibitors with 4,461 livestock, horse and dog entries and 753 still projects; total summer camps and youth programs served 294 campers and counselors. Extension provided several upcoming event dates and contact information at medina.osu.edu.

Commissioners thanked Extension staff and invited them to return for Ag Day and other county-hosted events.