Extension in Blue Earth County

We are excited to have you join us! 

Step 1) Find which club you are interested in joining. Blue Earth County Clubs. Feel free to contact the club leader listed with specific questions about each individual club.

Step 2) Create a 4HOnline account - we use an enrollment software called 4HOnline.  This keeps everything for us - health forms, contact information, projects and interest areas.  Once you have logged into the account you can enroll in Goodhue County 4-H! The step by step instructions are also attached here for your convenience.

Step 3) Get in touch with us if you have any questions - that is why we're here.

The 2022 Blue Earth County Fair will be July 28-31 at the Blue Earth County Fairgrounds in Garden City

Important dates

• May 23: 2022 Blue Earth County 4-H Premium Book is now available!
• May 23: Premium Books are emailed and mailed to 4-H families 
• May 23: Fair Entry registration opens  Fair Entry User Guides & Instructions
• June 17: Fair Entry registration deadline
• July 19: Animal Science Project Interviews
• July 28-31: Blue Earth County Fair!
• Aug. 6: Multi-County Dog Show

If you miss a deadline: Contact your extension educator immediately to determine your options. The Blue Earth County Competitive Deadlines document explains the 4-H state and county individual deadlines and the consequences related to different aspects of those deadlines.

Fair registration

4-H fair exhibits must be registered in FairEntry for the Blue Earth County Fair. Registration will open on Monday, May 23. The deadline to register your 4-H fair exhibits is Friday, June 17. 

4-H Food Stand

The 4-H Food Stand at the fair is our biggest fundraiser of the year! 4-H members are asked to work at the 4-H Food Stand for one or two shifts during the county fair. Adults are needed for each shift to work the grill, fryers, cash register and various duties. Sign up today!

Volunteers

It takes many hands to make a fair!  Sign up for judge assistants, ring stewards and more.  Also, clubs have been assigned to set-up or clean-up so check with your club leader about where you can help.

Quick links

• 2022 Blue Earth County 4-H Premium Book    
• 2022 Blue Earth County 4-H Fair Schedule
• 2022 Fair Events sign-up information (Ag Olympics, Foodstand, Volunteering, Interviews)          
• 2022 Fair Exhibitor Checklist
• Guide to 4-H Projects
• Club Leader Guide to the 2022 Fair                                            
• Food Revue handbook
• Lamb Lead information and reference
• Food Stand Sign Up
• Fair Volunteer Sign Up
• Link to upload 2022 Fair Photos to Smug Mug
• Photos from the 2021 county fair
• 2022 Blue Earth County 4-H T-shirt

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!

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

Randi Schwartz, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
schw1553@umn.edu or 507-304-4325

• Private Pesticide Applicator information
• Contact the Farm Information Line. 1-800-232-9077 or fil@umn.edu

Shane Bugeja, Extension educator, Ag production systems
sbugeja@umn.edu or 507-304-4325

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.

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

Shane Bugeja, Extension educator, Ag production systems
sbugeja@umn.edu or 507-304-4325

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
wedex001@umn.edu or 507-304-4141

Extension's Center for Community Vitality 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.

U of M Extension, Blue Earth County

Blue Earth County Historic Courthouse
204 South 5th Street, Suite #330
Mankato, MN 56002

507-304-4325
mnext-blueearth@umn.edu

Mailing address:
PO Box 168
Mankato, MN 56002

View all Blue Earth County contacts.

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.