Many questions are being asked about how the recently announced non-release of state funding will affect Extension programs in Franklin County.

Extension is funded by county government and contributions from businesses, organizations, and individuals. For each dollar raised locally there is a state law that allows for dollar for dollar matching. This is commonly known as County Board Match, and is a line item in the state budget that has been approved and appropriated for this year.

On April 4, Extension staff members were notified that these funds would not be released. As a result, local offices would lose half of their budget this fiscal year. This is an especially hard hit because the budget year is 75 percent complete. Initial estimates are that 450 positions, perhaps more, will be lost throughout the state.

The County Board Match budgeted for Franklin County this year was just over $121,000, which is half our budget. We have been asked to provide a plan to our Regional Director by May 1 indicating how we can continue to operate with half of our funds. Decisions have to be made about the programming and staffing changes that will need to occur.

One individual in Franklin County has already left her position, and it will not be re-filled at this time. This has had an immediate effect in that our Summer Lunch programs in Benton and West Frankfort will not be held this year. Several other youth and adult nutrition programs will also suffer. In addition, we will also lose at least half of another position after July 1.

Extension has provided 4-H, agriculture, family living, and economic development programming to local citizens for 94 years, and has been documented as providing a very positive impact within communities. It will be a big challenge to determine how to sustain viable and beneficial programs with a 50 percent reduction in income.

Franklin County has excellent financial support from the County Board and many other local citizens. This is sincerely appreciated, because without that we would not be able to continue any programming at this time. Please contact the office if you would like more information on making contacts with legislators and the governor to help reverse this situation.