Although the national economy
is slowly recovering, states continue to suffer budget deficits,
prompting further funding cuts at all levels.
Cooperative Extension is no exception. During the past fiscal year,
Cooperative Extension programs throughout the country took big budget
hits, forcing them to eliminate positions, freeze hiring and/or
call for early retirement. And the trend seems to be continuing.
As its name applies, Cooperative Extension is a cooperative effort
among the federal, state and county governments. States fund salaries
for researchers, county agents and farm advisors, and counties provide
the support personnel.
Depending on the state, counties may also provide vehicles, supplies
and travel expenses. Typically, the U.S. Department of Agriculture
provides matching funds to the county and/or state funding.
In Yakima County, Wash., for example, the county commissioners recently
cut 10 percent of Extension’s budget, moving that money to
the coroner’s and assessor’s departments. The move eliminated
the budget for printing, travel, telephones and other basic services
within Extension.
Another dire situation is occurring in Monterey County, Calif.,
known as the nation’s salad bowl for its leafy green, lettuce
and other cool-weather crops. Both county and university budgets
were cut 25 percent for fiscal year 2003-04, and early indications
show even more dramatic cuts for 2004-05.
The county is being asked to demonstrate how it would restructure
to meet a 60-percent budget cut. Such a cut would leave funds for
only one support person compared to the six the county Extension
office had in 2002-03.
A recent Monterey County farm advisor newsletter spells it out:
“This position could not possibly support the seven [farm]
advisors and the research staff and would significantly impact the
advisors’ ability to conduct research, offer education programs,
and provide services to the agricultural industry, to our youth
and to the community at large.”
Although many Extension programs are looking to private industry
to help make up some of the shortfall, private industry also has
been hit with lackluster revenues caused by—until recently—a
stagnant farm economy.
As lawmakers go into the next legislative sessions, they need to
hear from the beneficiaries of the programs just how important they
are.
One of the challenges with Extension is many lawmakers believe it’s
only the growers and producers—and possibly 4-H members—who
benefit. But Extension is far ranging, and consumers, including
lawmakers, also benefit from programs, such as improved integrated
pest management practices, new variety development, and diet and
nutrition programs.
