Weston County Extension reports SNAP-Ed funding changes, 4‑H successes and fall programs

Weston County Extension staff reported that state-level changes to SNAP-Ed and child nutrition programming will alter local services beginning Sept. 30 and provided a calendar of fall events and 4-H competition results.

Vicky (Extension staff) told commissioners that Wyoming received a multi-million-dollar allocation for SNAP-Ed and that Child Nutrition Program (CNP) services will shift to a regional model, leaving five counties without a locally assigned educator under the new structure. She said Western County will retain access to some online classes but will not have a dedicated CNP educator under the new regional arrangement.

The extension update included community education and outreach plans: a caregiving conference on Aug. 7; food-preservation and canning workshops; a farmers market manager role filled by JJ Lipp (intern); pesticide testing and training after May 1 regulatory updates; and an October two-day suicide intervention skills training to be hosted in Upton and offered free to the community under grant funding.

The report highlighted county 4-H accomplishments. Extension staff said 11 local 4-H members competed in Douglas and many placed in top positions; Samuel Ferguson was named first in senior class 3D target and several other youth earned top-five finishes. The staff noted 16 youth competed at State Fair and listed multiple individual placings. Extension staff said they are planning volunteer and youth tracks for a regional leader summit on Oct. 18 in Buffalo and other local events including a Cloverbud celebration and National 4-H Week activities.

No formal votes were recorded on the extension items. Commissioners acknowledged the report and did not make funding decisions on the SNAP-Ed changes during the meeting. Extension staff said they will follow state guidance and notify the county when local educator assignments or funding details are finalized.