County 4-H staff warn SNAP education cut will end local nutrition education and risk positions

County extension staff told commissioners that a federal funding cut will eliminate SNAP education grants that currently support local nutrition education programs and associated positions.

Janet Ron, introduced at the meeting as the county 4-H youth specialist, summarized 4-H activities including a Feeding Missouri food drive that collected 2,000 pounds of food, STEM outreach, garden projects at preschools and the Family Violence Center, livestock programming and county participation at area camps. She also reported the county's nutrition education work: Alyssa Bauer (nutrition program associate) reached nearly 3,200 people in the spring months through school and community programs, the report said.

During the presentation, staff said the recently passed federal budget did not include funding for SNAP nutrition education; one presenter said, “That funding is totally gone,” and added the loss affects nutrition program associates who come into classrooms and community settings. Staff said Missouri was among the states that previously received federal SNAP-Ed funding and that the grant supported positions in many counties; with the federal program cut, those positions are at risk of being lost or moved to other funding sources if available.

Commissioners and staff discussed the local value of the program, including classroom visits that introduced children to new foods and gardening activities. A commissioner described the program as “extremely valuable” and said staff hoped to find other funding to retain employees.

The presentation did not include a formal action; commissioners heard the report and expressed concern about potential job losses and program impacts.