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. 

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

We are excited to have you join us! 

Step 1) Find which club you are interested in joining. Blue Earth County has 6 4-H 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 Blue Earth 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 Monthly Update goes out to all registered 4-H members via email on or around the first 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.

• https://www.smore.com/u/mnext-blueearth

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 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 Blue Earth County Fair is held each year in July at the Blue Earth County Fairgrounds in Garden City. The fair provides 4-H members with a place to showcase exhibits about their project learning and share what they have learned with friends, judges, and community members. 

4-H members who earn blue ribbons at the Blue Earth County Fair (and have completed grade 6) may earn the opportunity to advance to the Minnesota State Fair. Similarly, members in the horse and dog projects are eligible to advance to the state horse and dog shows, which are held at the state fairgrounds later in September.

Blue Earth County Fair 2024

Summer is here! Are you ready to show us what you’ve learned? The 2024 Blue Earth County 4-H Premium Book. This is your guide for planning and registering exhibits for the Blue Earth County Fair, July 25-28,2024

The fair registration deadline is Monday, June 10 at 11:59 p.m. 

On May 20, 2023, you can log into Fair Entry with your 4-H Online email and password to register exhibits for the fair. 

• Please take some time to review the premium book and fair schedule. 
• All families are expected to read the "Essential information for exhibitors" section and other information related to your exhibit entries.
• The premium book is also published online, along with a user guide for FairEntry, our online fair registration program.

Here are a few highlights and reminders as you register for the fair: 

What’s new in 2024?

• Thursday, July 25: General project premiums will again be given out in cash. This year each club leader (or club representative) will need to go to the Fairboard office between 2-5 p.m. to pick up your club's premiums. They will be grouped by clubs and then by members. Club leaders will sign when picking it up and will hand it out to their club members. (livestock premiums will still go out by check after the fair)
• 4-H demonstrations will be done on the free stage this year on Friday from 12-1 p.m.
• The Chicken BBQ contest will start earlier this year. Set up is 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 27.  Be ready to start grilling at 9 a.m. 
  • *See the premium book for items you need to bring with you. 
• Ag Olympics will be on Saturday, July 27 from 3-5 p.m. in the show arena. 
• The Awards Ceremony will follow Premier Showmanship on Sunday, July 28 in the show arena. 
• State Fair Exhibitor Meeting will again happen after the fair at the Historic Courthouse:  Save the date: July 31
  • Envelopes will be given out with gate passes, and meal tickets, and logistics for transportation will be discussed 
    • *If you cannot make it to this meeting, please pick up your materials from our office. 
    • *If you have any projects you can bring them to our office for us to transport to the State Fair. 

Fair Entry help:

Fair Entry opens May 20. 

Need help entering your projects and/or animals? Call the office: 507-304-4325 go get assistance. 

Deadline is June 10th. 

Cloverbuds

We love it when Cloverbuds come to the fair! We work hard to offer a rich learning experience for our youngest members at the fair. 

• All Cloverbud information is in one section in the premium book, (Page 13) and now is all in one section in Fair Entry, too. Even animals for Cloverbuds are now registered in the Cloverbud section of Fair Entry.  
• Food stand shifts for Cloverbuds are optional. The food stand is a great way to get to know other 4-H families.

Reminders about Registering Animals in Fair Entry

All animals coming to the fair must already be identified in 4HOnline (except Cloverbud animals, pets, and poultry). You must now register youth in Fair Entry for fair exhibit classes outlined in the premium book and attach animals to those entries .

• Animals are interchangeable between siblings. 
• You may change the animals you attach to exhibit classes up until ID Check at the fair (see the schedule), but you must register now for all the classes in which you may want to show an animal. 
• You can scratch classes at ID Check at the fair, but you cannot add them (without penalty). So be sure to register for all the classes in which you expect each child in your family to participate at the fair. For example, if you have one animal and are unsure which child will show it, register both children for the class and attach the same animal to each. When you make your final class selections at ID Check at the fair, you will scratch all but one entry. 
• Only one member may show an animal at the fair, except Cloverbuds. Cloverbuds may show an animal ID’ed and registered (and shown) by an older sibling or 4-H member, They may also show their own animal. In Fair Entry, Cloverbuds simply register for the class and do not attach an animal to the entry. 
• At your designated ID Check at the fair, exhibitors must declare which animals they will exhibit and their final class selections (meaning which classes they will scratch).
• Cloverbuds, Pets, and Poultry did not have to be identified in 4HOnline. In Fair Entry, you will register your child for the class, but you will not be required to attach an animal or enter animal ID information. However, you do need to follow the Board of Animal Health Guidelines for animals coming to their fair (see the animal ID webpage or check the premium book), such as proof of vaccination, ID tags, Health Statement, etc. 

Questions? We’re here to help!

Call Cloey Pauly, Extension 4-H educator at 507-304-4142 or the Extension office at 507-304-4325.

We can’t wait to see everyone at the fair!

Cloey Pauly, Extension 4-H educator
Kelly Hulke, Administrative Assistant
Emma Fischer, 4-H Summer Coordinator

• 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 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.