UW Extension staff brief committee on annual reports; FoodWIse warns of proposed SNAP‑Ed funding cut

UW Extension staff presented annual reports and program updates and warned that federal funding changes could affect nutrition education programs in Kenosha County.

Staff shared the county extension annual report for 2024 and a Positive Youth Development Institute impact report. The county educator noted programming highlights across youth development, financial security and forage programming and said staff would distribute the reports to the full county board and supervisors.

Jeremy Beach, program administrator for FoodWIse for Kenosha and Racine counties, told the committee that partners across Wisconsin are circulating a letter and an infographic to inform stakeholders that "the U.S. House of Representatives has proposed a bill to eliminate all funding for SNAP education," and that a complete elimination of SNAP‑Ed funding would directly impact FoodWIse, which receives USDA funds. Beach said FoodWIse reaches roughly 35,000 individuals statewide annually and that local partners include schools, Head Start programs and food banks.

Staff and committee members discussed coordination with other county units and noted that extension staff attend departmental meetings and may flag potential collaborations. Committee members asked about ways to improve internal communication so county leaders know about grant awards and program activity without duplication of effort; extension staff said they share highlights in staff meetings and will coordinate with county departments where appropriate.

Beach and extension staff handed out a one‑page infographic and the FoodWIse annual report for committee members and asked supervisors to share the information with partners. No formal action was taken on the funding issue; staff requested that committee members be informed about the potential funding change so supervisors can consider local impacts.