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House agriculture committee concerned about service cutsMembers of the Minnesota House Agriculture and Rural Development committee were troubled by proposed cuts to the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Rep. Bob Ness, R, Dassel, said the service reductions are troubling for rural Minnesotans who depend on the programs. ìAs a land-grant institution, the university needs to demonstrate its commitment toward agriculture with resources that match its mission,î Ness said. Extension officials have warned that they may have to cut $4.5 million from the serviceís $60 million budget to pay for investments in technology and research. To achieve that goal, the service offices would become regionalized, instead of focusing on one county, and job cuts are expected. Rep. Gary Kubly, DFL, Granite Falls, said he would be disappointed to see young people charged to participate in 4-H programs through the Extension Service. ìInstituting fees will limit 4-H access and participation.î Rep. Tim Finseth, R, Angus, said the Extension Service should not make the decision on cuts in a vacuum. State law requires the Extension Service to work with residents, the commissioner of agriculture and lawmakers before adopting a slash plan. ìYouíre talking about removing people who work directly with our constituents,î Finseth said. ìThe extension agents are active in our rural communities and are a valued component to the success of Minnesota agriculture.î Another member said she did not want to see people replaced with an expanded Web site. ìIf the extension moves educators from counties to regional administrative areas to save money, increases charges to counties and imposes new fees for rural residents, then why does it have to layoff workers?î asked Rep. Elaine Harder, R, Jackson. Ness added that the service is being vague as to exactly which county offices would see cuts. ìThe magnitude of this change is tremendous,î Ness said. The extension is shrinking its commitment to people who need it, yet is asking those same people to pay more for the service. ìThese changes will be extremely problematic to people living in Minnesota.î ©ECM Post Review |