Extension in Big Stone County
Welcome to Big Stone County
Big Stone County partners with Extension to deliver practical education and research you can use at home, at work and in your community. Big Stone County is located on the western edge of the state. The area is primarily an agricultural community but it also has an abundance of great fishing and hunting.
Contact
[email protected] or 320-839-6380
Big Stone County Extension office
U of M Extension, Big Stone County
[email protected]
11 SE 2nd Street
Ortonville, MN 56278
(lower level of the Big Stone County Sheriff's Department)
Phone: (320) 839-6380
Fax: (320) 839-6384
Office hours
Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
View all Big Stone County contacts.
Suzanne Souza, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
[email protected]
Heidi Torgerson, county support staff
[email protected]
Big Stone County events
View all events hosted in and near Big Stone County.
Extension courses and events
Extension provides in-person and online educational events all over Minnesota. Find one to attend.
Big Stone County news
Read all news from Big Stone County.
Extension wide news
Read the latest news from all of Extension's programs.
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.
4-H
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Give to Big Stone County 4-H
Gifts support 4-H youth development in Big Stone County, and local programming coordinated by the Big Stone County 4-H Council.
There are several ways to join or re-enroll in 4-H.
- Join 4-H for the first time or re-enroll
- Enroll as an independent member
- Get in touch with us:
- Suzanne Souza, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
320-839-6380 or [email protected]
- Suzanne Souza, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
4-H events in Big Stone County
Attend a 4-H event near you.
All 4-H events
Find a 4-H event in Minnesota.
4-H news in Big Stone County
Stay informed about all that is happening in Big Stone County 4-H.
Statewide 4-H news
Learn more about what is happening in Minnesota 4-H.
Livestock Project Information
Beef Project
Dairy Project
Dairy Goat Project
Dog Project
Horse Project
Llama-Alpaca Project
Meat Goat Project
Poultry Project
Rabbit Project
Sheep Project
Swine Project
4-H Competitive Events: Deadlines, Consequences and Exemptions
2024 Big Stone County Fair 4-H schedule of events
2024 Big Stone County Premium Book
2024 Cloverbud Coloring Contest Picture 1
2024 Cloverbud Coloring Contest Picture 2
Advance Entry Form General/Static
Advanced Entry Form Livestock
Advanced Entry Form Clothing & Textiles, Food Revue, Quilting
Registration Form Cloverbuds
Club Leader Letter for Club Exhibits
Entry Form Club Exhibits
Community Pride Requirements
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 topics 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!
There are also many ways adults (anyone age 18+) can support youth learning and leading in 4-H.
Want to learn about volunteering with the 4-H Youth Development Program?
Visit the Volunteering with 4-H page to learn more about how volunteers positively impact youth and community
Contact your 4-H Extension Educator to learn about specific roles available in your community
Ready to become a screened Minnesota 4-H volunteer?
Visit the Apply to become a 4-H volunteer page to begin the application and screening process
Clubs
Community clubs (grades K-12)
- Learn new skills by working on projects together.
- Take part in activities like tours, bowling and holiday parties.
- Work and learn the importance of community service.
Contact one of these adult leaders to join a club listed below.
Beardsley Go-Getters
- Leanne Kellen - 320-265-8734
Clover Clovers
- Kristin Haggerty - 605-695-0442
Eager Beavers
- Samantha Zahn - 320-305-2126
Odessa Jolly Workers
- Kerry Klepel - 320-305-0927
Toqua Troopers
- Paulette Jibben - 320-815-5573
Cloverbuds (Grades K-2) and After School Adventures (Grades 3-5)
Cloverbuds and After School Adventures are fun, hands-on educational programs specially designed for youth in grades K-5. These afterschool programs are available at CGB School, Ortonville School and Big Stone City School.
- Explore monthly topics
- Make crafts
- Learn about and have healthy snacks
- Play games
Project clubs
Project clubs were created to help youth learn and focus on a certain project area of their interest.
- Aquatic Robotics / Aquatic Invasive Species Education
- Dairy Club
- Dog Club
- Horse Club
- LEGO Robotics Club
- Shooting Sports Club
For more information on any of these clubs, contact the Big Stone County Extension office.
Guides
- Youth guide to 4-H record keeping
- Parent and volunteer guide to 4-H record keeping
- Cloverbud information sheet
4-H records
- Participation summary-basic for grades 3-5
- Participation summary-experienced for grades 6+
- Project record-basic for grades 3-5
- Project record-experienced for grades 6+
- Planning calendar
- Financial statement
- Cloverbud record book for grades k-2
Project achievement award forms (Goldenrods) for grades 6 and up
- Outstanding Animal Science Project Achievement Award
- Outstanding Expressive & Communication Arts Project Achievement Award
- Outstanding Family Consumer Science Project Achievement Award
- Outstanding Horticulture/Plant Science Project Achievement Award
- Outstanding Mechanical Science Project Achievement Award
- Outstanding Natural Resources/Sports Project Achievement Award
- Outstanding Personal Growth & Development Project Achievement Award
Volunteer with 4-H
For more information about 4-H, contact:
Suzanne Souza, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
[email protected] or 320-839-6380
Agriculture
Big Stone County 2020 Farm Family of the Year is Jackie and Al Webster. They were honored with a plaque and certificate. The Big Stone County Extension Committee is working on choosing the 2021 Farm Family of the Year.
Agriculture events in Big Stone County
Attend an agriculture-related event near you.
Statewide agriculture events
Agriculture conferences, in-person events and online courses are offered all year around the state.
Agriculture news in Big Stone County
Find the latest on Extension agricultural research and news you can use on your farm from local experts.
Statewide news and blogs
- Agricultural Business Management News - Business and financial resources for farmers.
- Beef News - Beef industry featured events, farm safety and animal health.
- Dairy News - Dairy industry featured events, farm safety and animal health.
- Fruit and Vegetable News - Local production and marketing of fruit and vegetable crops in Minnesota.
- Minnesota Crop News - Emerging issues affecting Minnesota row crops and forages.
Please direct any agriculture related questions to the University of Minnesota Extension Farm Information Line at [email protected] or 1-800-232-9077
Gardening
Big Stone County is always looking for volunteers willing to become a University of Minnesota Master Gardener. These volunteers assist our community with questions and topics about gardening. Please consider becoming a Master Gardener volunteer in Big Stone County.
Gifts support local programming coordinated by Big Stone County Master Gardener volunteers.
Gardening events in Big Stone County
Find gardening learning opportunities online and near you.
Statewide gardening events
Find out about the Master Gardener Volunteer core course or attend other events offered throughout the year.
Gardening news in Big Stone County
Find the latest gardening tips and news you can use in your own back yard from local experts.
Yard and Garden News
Gardening tips and emerging issues affecting Minnesota.
Currently Big Stone County has one Master Gardener available. Contact this office or Suzanne Souza for your questions at 320-839-6380 or [email protected].
You can also contact the University of Minnesota Yard & Garden team:
Minnesota Master Gardener Hotline
Available year-round
612-301-7590
Health and nutrition
Big Stone County is committed to our community and helping in any way possible during this pandemic. Below you'll find information about food resources during COVID-19.
Food assistance
To apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formally known as Food Stamps or Food Assistance), visit the Big Stone County Family Services website.
To apply for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), contact Countryside Public Health office to schedule an appointment, 320-839-6135 or 1-800-657-3291.
Big Stone Area Emergency Food Shelf
Visit the Big Stone Area Food Shelf website for location and hours.
Seniors
Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors
Backpack Program
Paw Pantry is available at Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley School. Contact the CGB School at 320-325-5224 for more information.
Trojan Takeout is available at the Ortonville School. Contact the Ortonville School at 320-839-6181 for more information.
Health and nutrition events in Big Stone County
Learn more about staying healthy and eating well.
Statewide health and nutrition events
Join Extension educators and community partners in events that encourage health, wellbeing and good nutrition.
Health and nutrition news in Big Stone County
Stay up to date with our health and nutrition news.
Family News
Find information that helps families make informed decisions leading to better health and wellbeing.
Use the Real Life, Good Food website to find recipes, cooking tips and physical activity ideas for a healthier life.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) is the educational component of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a program that offers nutrition assistance to eligible, low-income individuals and families.
To host a SNAP-Ed class or to find out more information, please contact a Southwest SNAP-Ed educator.
Sustainable communities
Extension engages Minnesotans to strengthen the social, civic, economic and technological capacity of their communities. We help create vibrant communities and enhance skills and knowledge in economics, leadership and civic engagement, and tourism.
Check our community research page for reports on county and community-focused topics relating to local economics, retaining businesses, growing retail markets, developing tourism, and more.
Local programs can be offered in collaboration with local community organizations and government agencies. Current programs include: Minnesota Agricultural and Rural Leadership (MARL)
Contact an educator in your area for consultation, guidance and conversation about your community.
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 in your county and neighboring communities, and how to submit a project idea.
Statewide community development events
Join us at an event in your community.
Statewide natural resources events
Find opportunities to learn about the natural environment, how to care for your forest lands, and how you and your family can get out and explore nature around the state and in your own backyard.
Community development news
Find information on community-focused news.
My Minnesota Woods
Find out how to take care of your trees and enjoy Minnesota's beautiful woodlands.
Natural Resources News
From preserving our wetlands to combating invasive species, read about protecting and enjoying nature.
RSDP Happenings
Learn more about community-driven sustainability projects happening across Minnesota.