Extension warns FoodWIze (SNAP-Ed) funding could end Sept. 30; county educators outline program priorities

Richland County Extension staff briefed the Natural Resources Committee on the department’s 2025–26 priorities and warned that the federal reconciliation bill, if enacted as discussed, would eliminate SNAP-Ed funding on Sept. 30 and end FoodWIze programming in Wisconsin.

Adam (Extension director) said the state receives about $12 million in SNAP-Ed funds, of which approximately $8 million supports the FoodWIze program for University of Wisconsin Extension; elimination of that federal funding would directly cut the county’s FoodWIze activities unless state funding replaces the lost federal support.

Extension educators described planned projects for the academic year: crops and soils outreach, formation of a farmer‑led watershed group with pasture walks and field days, livestock and direct-marketing assistance, Rent Smart tenant education and financial coaching, and youth 4‑H programming. Crops educator Anastasia highlighted a successful Dairy Breakfast outreach and a rainfall-simulator demonstration used to explain runoff and infiltration.

Committee members asked whether the state would backfill SNAP‑Ed funding; staff said they have not seen a state commitment and are awaiting decisions as the state budget process unfolds. Extension staff asked the committee and community to help identify local funding opportunities and partnerships if federal support ends.

Staff reiterated they will monitor legislative developments and report back to the committee; program priorities were provided to the board to guide extension activity planning for the coming year.