Contacting legislators re. funding modifications (especially NY)

[Allison Hyman]

Hello all,

Our SNAP-Ed funding in NY has been modified for the next five year grant cycle to explicitly prohibit gardening as an allowable activity. Educators across the state (including me) are losing their jobs, nutrition educators can no longer use USDA-approved curricula related to garden-based nutrition education, and thousands of people taking care of hundreds of gardens will no longer have support. We are currently scrambling to provide our gardens with enough sustainability resources and plans before the grant ends on 9/30. This was a completely unforeseen and disappointing change in the priorities of OTDA. It is my hope that within the next five years, or at least at the end of it, gardens will be added back as an allowable activity to benefit thousands of New Yorkers who have seen increased food access and food knowledge due to growing their own produce.

Is there anyone from NY on here who is organizing to let lawmakers know about this, or anyone who would be interested in doing so? I highly doubt that any legislator has a clue this has even happened.

Additionally, does anyone have a template that they could share, or would be comfortable helping me develop, for reaching out about this issue?

I am aware that I am posting this from my work account, but the action would need to be taken personally to not be construed as lobbying (my personal account is not registered in the Group). Please reply here if you are able, or reach me at ahyma...@gmail.com

Thank you.