Extension in Anoka County

• Enrollment Information for the 2021-2022 4-H Year!

Join Summer Camp Director, Aaron Stack, for an exciting camp season of games,  crafts, camp hikes, and more! Since 1945 4-H Camp Salie has been a wonderful part of the 4-H experience for 4-H members. Make your own memories this summer...  

4-H Camp Salie is located in Wyoming and is staffed by an experienced staff including enthusiastic trained 4-H teen volunteers. 4-H Camp lets kids try new things, try new skills and express themselves through fun hands-on activities. Campers will enjoy action-packed days filled with a variety of crafts, skits, songs & games with the great 4-H camp counselors who will be with them for every exciting moment! 

Anoka County 4-H summer camp opportunities.

Camp Counselor & Leadership Training (CCLT):   June 13-17
Day camp:  June 16
Overnight camp:  June 21-24
Overnight camp:  June 28-29
Day camp:  June 30  

4-H Clover Dash will be on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Walk or run to support this fundraiser for Anoka County 4-H! Funds will support healthy living programs, community service projects and scholarships for youth. 

Details and registration information.

If you are unable to participate but still want to support this Anoka County 4-H fundraiser, donations can be made online to the Anoka County 4-H Program Fund. Please select "Add Special Instructions" and write "4-H Clover Dash" before submitting.

4-H Youth Development is a hands-on learning program for Minnesota youth. We offer online, small group and independent learning experiences for youth of all ages. In 4-H, youth choose the topic they find interesting and caring adults support their learning and leadership. From agronomy to space exploration and creative arts to outdoor adventures, 4-H has just the right learning experience for young people.

There are many ways to participate in 4-H!

Gifts support 4-H youth development in Anoka County, and local programming coordinated by the Anoka County 4-H Council. 

Give today

Anna Gilbertson, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
annag@umn.edu or 763-324-3497

Sarah Devine, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
komp0030@umn.edu or 763-324-3493

Kim Ferguson, Administrative Services Assistant
fergu029@umn.edu or 763-324-3499

Jen Graham, Office Support Assistant
jlgraham@umn.edu or (763) 324-3496

Visit Anoka County 4-H on social media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube

We are looking forward to a summer of celebrating 4-H project learning! These local showcases will begin in June with the Public Presentation day and conclude in early August with the Dog show. The Anoka County Fair will be happening this year and will take place during the week of Monday, July 25 - Saturday, July 31.

4-H Summer Showcase Schedule (will be posted soon)

Anoka County Fair 4-H Premium Book, 2022 (will be posted soon)

This guide will help you prepare to participate in Anoka County 4-H at the County Fair. There are suggestions for project ideas and in some cases, guidelines on what components a project must have. Please note that there have been significant changes to the project categories this year. Please read carefully and contact staff if you have questions about where a project should be exhibited.

Static exhibits
In 2022, we are returning to our traditional judging schedule of Monday, July 25, and Tuesday, July 26 for general “Static” exhibits and club projects. Register to exhibit (will be posted soon). Your project registration must be completed by Friday, July 1.

Wristband sales
4-H members, parents and screened volunteers may purchase a reduced rate wristband which will allow entrance to the fairgrounds during the week of the fair. Wristbands may be purchased Monday, July 25 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. or Tuesday, July 26 from Noon - 8 p.m. in the 4-H building. It is wise to purchase wristbands Monday to avoid paying gate admission fees on Tuesday. There will be no exception for 4-H families. All wristbands will be put on at the time of sale. Cost is $6 per 4-H member and $20 per adult. 

Animal projects at the fair
Check out the Anoka County Fair 4-H Premium Book, 2022 (will be posted soon) for Animal Show dates and information about participating during the County Fair week. Our show schedule (will be posted soon) will continue to align with the changes that were made last year.

Horse project at the fair
Exhibiting in the horse project at the County Fair is a large commitment with many moving parts. Please be sure to read the Anoka County 4-H Horse Handbook (will be posted soon) & complete the stalling and camping forms when they become available. They will be posted here when available. Please ask questions of the horse committee members when needed. Contact information is included in the handbooks. 

Horse Project Events

• Saturday, July 23 for Training Project
• Thursday & Friday, July 28 and 29 for 6-13th graders
• Saturday, July 30 for Kindergarten-5th graders, Novice and Horseless Horse
• Sunday, July 31 for grades 3+ including Novice

Other 4-H Showcase/County Fair Events
County Arts-In - County Arts-In is a summer performing arts/leadership experience for youth that have completed grades 2 – one year post high school. Singing, dancing, and acting, plus leadership and team building activities all culminate in a 30-minute musical revue. 
Public Presentation Day - Public Presentations are an opportunity to practice public speaking skills, share your knowledge.
Fashion Revue - An opportunity to demonstrate skills and knowledge of clothing and textile construction and consumerism.

• Visit the Anoka County Master Gardeners website for gardening information along with a complete list of upcoming events.
• Follow Anoka County Master Gardeners on Facebook.

• Become a Master Gardener volunteer
• Master Naturalist volunteers work in your community

Lia Spaniolo, Master Gardener Program Coordinator
spaniolo@umn.edu or 763-324-3498

Jen Graham, Office Support Assistant
jlgraham@umn.edu or (763) 324-3496

Kim Ferguson, Administrative Services Assistant
fergu029@umn.edu or 763-324-3499

Sarah Devine, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
komp0030@umn.edu or 763-324-3493

Kim Ferguson, Administrative Services Assistant
fergu029@umn.edu or 763-324-3499

Anna Gilbertson, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
annag@umn.edu or 763-324-3497

Jen Graham, Office Support Assistant
jlgraham@umn.edu or (763) 324-3496

Lia Spaniolo, Master Gardener Program Coordinator
spaniolo@umn.edu or 763-324-3498

Extension brings Minnesotans together to build a better future through University science-based knowledge, expertise and training. Learn more about Extension by visiting our about page and by browsing this website. 

Extension offers a variety of educational programs about nutrition and health in Anoka County. These programs are open to families and individuals of all ages who are eligible for benefits through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or who meet Extension’s program income guidelines.

Programs are offered in community settings such as food shelves, schools, community centers and public housing sites. The programs are free to all individuals and families who meet income guidelines, and may be offered in multiple languages, depending on the audience needs and availability of educators.

Use the Real Life, Good Food website to find recipes, cooking tips and physical activity ideas for a healthier life.

Minnesota is a great place to explore, understand and conserve the natural landscape. Extension education, volunteer and community science programs encourage people to become stewards of Minnesota’s public and private lands.

Volunteer. Natural resources volunteers track invasive species, detect forest pests and count native bees, among many other activities. You can also study to become a Minnesota Master Naturalist.

Extension's Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) connect Greater Minnesota communities and University of Minnesota knowledge and resources to support local sustainability projects. Working in partnership, RSDP supports community-driven projects in four focus areas: agriculture and food systems, clean energy, natural resources and resilient communities. Projects are supported by boards made up of local community members and University faculty and staff. Learn more about RSDP’s recent work neighboring communities and how to submit a project idea.