Penn State Extension programs could shut down in the near future if the state budget for the current fiscal year is not funded soon.
According to Butler County Penn State Extension educator Donna Zang, Penn State Extension and Agricultural Research is part of the land script fund which was zeroed out in the budget cuts in December.
“We are at a critical point because we do stand to lose a number of things if funding is not restored,” Zang said. “That includes the closing of 67 county extension offices across the state of Pennsylvania and, as a result, losing the programs that we provide.”
The group is taking a bus to a rally Tuesday in Harrisburg to spotlight the seriousness of the situation.
Penn State University has been funding the program alone for the last eight months but will no longer be able to continue in the near future.
Even if you can’t go to the rally, the public can help.
“We are asking people to talk to their legislators, write letters, call the governor’s office. There’s a concerted effort to do that. There are also petitions that can be signed online but right now we need people to talk to their legislators, make them aware of how important this is to not only Butler County, but to our state as a whole,” she said.
Penn State Extension runs many valuable programs in our area including 4-H and master gardeners.
