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MU Extension warns of SNAP‑Ed cuts after statewide layoffs; local staff retained and programs continue in Cole County
Summary
MU Extension representatives told the Cole County Commission that elimination of the federal SNAP‑Ed grant led to 80–85 statewide layoffs and reduced nutrition staffing, but Cole County retained several specialists and is piloting programs including Tai Chi for fall‑risk reduction and a childcare administrator summit.
A Missouri University Extension representative told the Cole County Commission on Nov. 18 that the federal SNAP‑Ed grant’s elimination forced the statewide extension system to cut staff and adjust programming, though Cole County retained several key employees.
"We had to lay off between 80 and 85 people," the MU Extension representative (Speaker 6) said, calling the reductions "the largest layoff that extension has ever had to do." The presenter said the program historically received about "$11,000,000 every year from the federal government," and that roughly "$8,000,000 of that was just personnel costs."
Locally, Speaker 6 said the office retained field specialists including Kathy Deacon (nutrition and health), Dawn Sebian (nutrition program associate), Sean Eberly (4‑H youth educator), Chrissy Bridal (livestock specialist) and Mary Soba (ag business specialist). The speaker said staff assignments were shuffled so specialists now serve multiple counties; for example, Dawn Sebian’s coverage was described as Cole, Osage and southern Callaway.
Speaker 6 highlighted several county programs: fall‑risk and balance classes, work on independent living, a Tai Chi curriculum pilot being filmed for statewide distribution, 4‑H recruitment for the new program year, pantry partnerships with Salvation Army and Catholic Charities, and a first‑ever childcare administrator summit run in partnership with United Way of Central Missouri.
"Cole is ahead of the curve on this," Speaker 6 said, describing a county survey process used to set annual priorities and noting the commission previously chose child development as its 2025 theme. The presenter said the extension office will meet with each council to set the county’s 2026 priorities and is recruiting volunteers for extension council service.
The presentation closed with commissioners thanking the speaker; no formal action was taken by the commission on the extension report.
