MSU Extension highlights ag research, workforce programs — warns SNAP‑Ed will end in September

Jennifer, the MSU Extension district director covering the county, gave commissioners a broad annual report on Extension work in Leelanau County: direct services and programming, agricultural research at the horticulture station, integrated pest-management updates, farm-business support and youth workforce-preparedness activities.

She highlighted local capacity: hundreds of unique programs served county residents last year and master-gardener volunteers logged hundreds of hours producing a measurable community benefit. She noted targeted research and outreach work in hops, viticulture, and farm stress/agrability programs and promoted upcoming Extension events and conferences.

Jennifer also reported a change to federal/state funding: "SNAP‑Ed education as of the end of September" will be sunset across the state due to recent legislative actions that reduced funding for SNAP‑Ed. She stressed the local implications for food‑security education and said Extension will work to find alternatives but that the formal SNAP‑Ed program is expected to end in September.

Commissioners asked about grant and funding changes, the Extension's capacity to substitute other resources, and opportunities to coordinate county support. The Extension director said some program work is grant-funded and the loss of SNAP‑Ed will reduce education for food-insecure audiences unless other funding is found.