U of I Extension director reports 4‑H growth, staff vacancies and SNAP‑Ed funding loss

Casey Kimme, county director for University of Illinois Extension, told the committee the county’s 4‑H program reported nearly 475 members and strong fair participation, but she also reported staff vacancies and a federally funded SNAP‑Ed position that will end in June 2026.

Kimme said Effingham County had about 2,700 fair projects and 62 youth exhibited at the state fair; the Extension unit counted five grand champions and additional awards. The master gardeners donated more than 230 pounds of produce and logged volunteer hours at the community garden.

Kimme warned that SNAP‑Ed — the federally funded nutrition education program — was dropped from a recent federal appropriation and that the county will lose a federally funded SNAP educator and a community worker position in June 2026 unless alternate funding is found. She said Extension is exploring options and may return to the committee with funding requests.

Kimme also described ongoing hiring to fill a vacancy in youth development educator and an office support position; she said campus must authorize hires before positions are filled. She requested the committee’s continued engagement with Extension programming and said she will inform the board when hires are completed.