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Cornell Cooperative Extension outlines 2026–28 plan, warns SNAP-Ed funding shortfall
Summary
Tess McKinley, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension, briefed the committee on a 2026–2028 strategic plan and said federal SNAP-Ed funding was cut; the state provided stopgap funds through Sept. 2026 and CCE is seeking state funding or other grants to sustain services.
Tess McKinley, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension, told the committee the organization is finalizing its 2026–2028 strategic plan and is working to preserve programs after federal defunding of SNAP-Ed. McKinley said SNAP-Ed staff levels fell from 13 across six counties to three positions following the federal defunding; the state provided limited funding through September 2026 to sustain a reduced staff.
"We're working on our 2026, 2028 strategic plan... In the past, we had 13 staff throughout 6 counties, because of the defunding of SNAP Ed at the federal government level... The state did give us a small amount of funding to continue it until September 2026," McKinley said. She urged advocacy for state-level funding (the figure cited in discussion was $30 million annually statewide for SNAP-Ed), and said CCE is applying for other grants to preserve local nutrition and school wellness programs.
Committee members thanked McKinley and asked no immediate action; CCE will return with a final strategic plan and may request further engagement depending on funding outcomes.
