Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Extension topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
WSU Extension: SNAP‑Ed cut prompts staffing shifts; competitive grant provides temporary relief
Summary
Washington State University Extension told the board that the national SNAP‑Ed program elimination required layoffs and hour reductions; a recently awarded competitive three‑year grant partially replaces lost SNAP‑Ed funding and supports farm‑to‑school and farm‑to‑food‑bank activities while the office seeks longer‑term funding solutions.
Representatives from Washington State University Extension briefed the board on the loss of national SNAP‑Ed funding and the local impacts on Extension staffing and programming.
The extension director said SNAP‑Ed historically funded education and outreach work — including farm‑to‑school and farm‑to‑food‑bank programs — and that the program’s national elimination forced immediate staffing adjustments. The office laid off one nutrition educator (Bridgette Light) and reduced hours for another staff member who leads organic‑waste reduction work, citing delays in anticipated MOA funding from the Department of Ecology and county public‑works partnerships.
Staff said they successfully secured a highly competitive national grant that will help cover some of the lost SNAP‑Ed funding for the next three years and that WSU’s central grants team has provided critical pre‑award and post‑award support. Extension emphasized its regional collaboration with Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap Counties to pool grant resources and serve small farms and food‑security programs across county lines. Extension also noted active fundraising by local nonprofit partners (for example, a Master Gardener foundation) to support demonstration gardens and direct local programming.
In response to county budget questions, Extension said most of its program positions rely on a mix of county MOA funding, WSU support and external grants; county MOA funding remains an important pillar allowing the office to leverage additional grants. The office asked commissioners to consider one change request (an administrative assistant at $46,524) that was not included in the recommended budget, and staff said they will continue to pursue grant and foundation support to bridge near‑term gaps.
Ending: Extension staff will continue to pursue competitive grants, work with WSU’s grants team and local nonprofit partners, and return to the board with updates on staffing and grant outcomes.
