Extension in Blue Earth County

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. 

Blue Earth County contacts

Interested in learning more about 4-H?

• Contact our 4-H staff to learn more, including how to get started in 4-H. 

Ready to join or re-enroll?

• Join 4-H or re-enroll

Find a 4-H club in Blue Earth County 

Blue Earth County has 6 4-H clubs. The Blue Earth County 4-H club information sheet has detailed information about our clubs. Feel free to contact the club leader listed with specific questions about each individual club.

• Blue Earth County has 6 4-H Clubs 

4-H is the University of Minnesota’s out-of-school, a hands-on learning program for youth from Kindergarten through one year past high school graduation. It is a public program for all youth delivered in each county through UMN Extension. Through hands-on learning, youth in 4-H build not only confidence, creativity, and curiosity but also life skills such as leadership and resiliency to help them thrive today and tomorrow. There are so many ways to participate in Minnesota 4-H!

• What is Minnesota 4-H? (YouTube)
• Frequently Asked Questions about Blue Earth County 4-H

All 4-H members in grades K-2 are called Cloverbuds and this is a special time in 4-H. Cloverbuds focus on non-competitive discovery and learning!

• Learn more: What is a Minnesota 4-H Cloverbud? (YouTube)

Clubs

4-H clubs meet on a regular basis to learn together with friends. They work on 4-H projects, serve their community, develop leadership skills and learn to work together. Many people choose the club closest to them. Others choose to be with friends they already know.

• Learn more about current Blue Earth County 4-H clubs, when and where they meet and how to connect with the club leader.
• Learn more:  What is a Minnesota 4-H club? (YouTube)

Projects

4-H, youth choose projects that are interesting to them to explore with peers and caring adults. 4-H offers learning experiences in science, photography, agriculture, healthy living, civic engagement and much more. Projects are important in 4-H because we believe in experiential learning, which is why our motto is “Learn by Doing!”

• Learn more: What is a Minnesota 4-H project? (YouTube)
• What is a 4-H project vs. a fair exhibit?
• Step-by-Step Project Workbook 

What is the University of Minnesota Extension?

• Extension History
• What we do

The Monthly Update goes out to all registered 4-H members via email on the 15th of each month. 

To receive this newsletter via email - please register for Blue Earth County 4-H through 4HOnline.

Monthly Updates

At the beginning of each month, all enrolled 4-H members will receive an email update from Minnesota 4-H and a separate email on the 15th with a newsletter from the Administrative Staff at the Local Extension Office. To receive these updates via email, please enroll in Blue Earth County 4-H through 4HOnline.

• Blue Earth County Extension's Newsletters

You will also receive information throughout the year based on your grade and the projects you selected when you enrolled in 4HOnline. You can update those projects at any time. 

Be sure to Follow us on Facebook

Blue Earth County's Facebook page

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!

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 the 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.

Give to Blue Earth County 4-H

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

Give today

Blue Earth County Extension Office

The heart and hub of Blue Earth County 4-H

The Blue Earth County 4-H Federation includes every 4-H youth member in 6th grade or higher and every adult 4-H screened volunteer in the Blue Earth County 4-H program.

Federation leadership team and officers

The Federation is led by 4-H youth officers (grade 7+) with guidance from an adult advisory team and the University of Minnesota Extension Blue Earth County 4-H youth development staff. Together this leadership team guides the Blue Earth County 4-H program on behalf and in cooperation with all of its members.

Federation meetings

Blue Earth County 4-H Federation meetings are the hub of the Blue Earth County 4-H program. This is where we work to carry out the business and mission of the Federation, such as planning opportunities and education for the members, setting and working toward annual goals, maintaining and upholding the organization’s bylaws, managing and allocating program funds, and creating committees to implement programs. Currently, the Blue Earth County 4-H Federation meets four to five times a year. 

All 4-H families are welcome at Federation meetings! All clubs are highly encouraged to send representation to the Federation meetings.  

Committees

Committees are formed each year to carry out the work of the Federation. They include:

• Animal Science 
• Food Stand Committee (each year) 
• General Project Education Committee
• Other Committees as needed such as Awards, Special Events, etc.

More information

• Blue Earth County 4-H Federation Bylaws

The fair provides 4-H members a place to showcase exhibits about their project learning and share what they have learned with friends, judges, and community members. 

Interested in showcasing at the Blue Earth County Fair?

Be sure to review our fair information and resources to prepare for this experience. 

Fair information and resources 

If you have questions about 4-H at the Blue Earth County Fair, please contact the Extension office at 507-304-4325. 

• Private Pesticide Applicator information
• Contact the Farm Information Line. 1-800-232-9077 or [email protected]

The mission of the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Program is to support Extension by providing volunteers trained in horticulture to educate the public with research-based information on the best practices in consumer horticulture.

Visit the Blue Earth county Master Gardener volunteers on Facebook.

Gifts support local programming coordinated by Blue Earth County Master Gardener volunteers.

Make a gift on the University of Minnesota giving page.

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

Extension offers a variety of educational programs about nutrition and health in Blue Earth 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.

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.

Please contact Rachel Jones, SNAP-Ed Educator with questions. 

Rachel Jones, SNAP-Ed educator
[email protected] or 507-304-4141

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 also can 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.