FRANKLIN COUNTY -- The Benton County fair is where most of you get a feel for the WSU Extension program.

More than 1,500 kids show off prize-winning livestock for 4-H youth development program every year.

But new cuts could put 4-H - and all other WSU Extension programs like Master Gardeners - on the chopping block.

"It came as a big surprise," Alissa Schneider said, Project Pathways Coordinator for Franklin County WSU Extension.

Last monday, Washington State University's president, Elson Floyd, and Provost, Warwick m. Bayly, outlined two cuts to lawmakers:

-- a 12% budget cut to the University means Extension funding falls by half.

-- an 18% budget cut to the University would ax 75% of money from the Extension program.

It's so alarming, you can see his message to the Extension community right on the website:

"We are in an extreme financial situation and a great number of people are working hard on behalf of Washington State University," the message reads.

"Over the next several weeks you will hear and read about many responses to this crisis from WSU. We urge all of you to understand that these are merely scenarios of possible approaches to addressing a $62 million or $93 million biennial budget reduction in our state-appropriated budget. Sacrifices and thoughtful deliberations will be required of all of us as we respond and climb out of the worst financial crisis our state has faced - - second only to the Great Depression."

"We're totally willing to make a cut and do our fair share but 75% would totally disseminate extension.," Schneider said.

There are extension offices like one in Pasco in every county in the state. If the extension lose 75% funding, reps expect that every office could close.

Only about a third of extension money comes from the school's budget, counties often fund another quarter. The lion's share is from grants. but losing one has a domino effect.
"
We've already had people say, 'oh, we heard Extension was going to get cut we're not going to fund you with grants, so that's really devastating because that's who we rely on to do a lot of outside work," Schneider said.

While the budget is still up in the air, foks here worry Extension is program they can't afford to lose.

Benton County leaders met Monday about the cuts and will write a letter to lawmakers.

On the other side of the river, Franklin County Extension reps are asking you to write letters to President Obama to keep the program around.

They're holding an informational meeting tomorrow night at Columbia Valley Grange on Court Street in Pasco. The meeting starts at 7pm.