Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Extension Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
OSU Extension warns SNAP‑Ed cut will eliminate local staff; asks for continued county support
Summary
Ohio State University Extension staff told commissioners a federal funding cut will end the SNAP‑Ed program in Lucas County on Nov. 30, eliminating about 3.25 FTE locally; Extension requested continued county appropriations to sustain other programs and highlighted youth and food‑security work.
Megan Arnold, area leader for OSU Extension in Lucas County, presented the office’s 2026 budget request and warned that federal cuts will eliminate the SNAP‑Ed program statewide, affecting roughly 3.25 full‑time positions in Lucas County as of Nov. 30. Arnold said the loss follows federal reductions and is separate from the county appropriation request; she described how OSU Extension leverages county cost‑share to bring state and federal funds to local programming under the Smith‑Lever Act formula.
The Extension highlighted local outcomes: more than 900 youth in school enrichment programs, food access efforts at the Lucas County Fair, a “Real Money, Real World” financial simulation reaching high‑school students, Master Gardener volunteer hours and a homebuyer-education partnership that supported nearly $2.5 million in home sales via one‑on‑one counseling. Extension staff asked the commissioners to consider the request for expanded county appropriations (an increase of $58,430 on top of a base appropriation) to maintain staffing and services as federal support contracts and grants decline.
Commissioners voiced appreciation for Extension’s work and asked for comparative participation data from similarly funded urban counties; Extension staff said they would follow up.
