Extension in Brown County

U of M Extension, Brown County
[email protected]

300 2nd Ave SW
Sleepy Eye MN 56085-1402

Phone: 507-794-7993

Office hours

Tuesday-Wednesday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

View all Brown County contacts.

Madeline Clarke, 4-H Extension educator
[email protected]  or 507-794-7993

Donna Augustin, Principal Office & Admin Specialist
[email protected] or 507-794-7993 

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. 

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

New to 4-H?

• Learn more about 4-H in Brown County

Volunteer with Brown County 4-H

• Apply or renew as a volunteer here.

What’s happening in Brown County 4-H?

• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
• Visit z.umn.edu/bcProgramCatalog for a summary of our upcoming programs.
• Check out the ‘Events and news for 4-H’ drawer below for more 4-H opportunities!
• New to 4-H? Check out our new member information page!

Brown County 4-H Federation

The Brown County 4-H Federation is the program and policy decision-making body for local business of the Brown County 4-H program. The Federation is composed of all members of the county program, youth and adult representatives alike. Involvement in county-wide leadership builds on the skills that you learn in clubs. All 4-H members in attendance at Federation meetings may vote on the business of the meeting.

The Brown County 4-H Federation meets three times a year - the third Monday of October, February, and June - often in the evenings. We meet at the University of Minnesota Extension Office in Sleepy Eye.

• Meeting minutes
• Federation resource page

Give to Brown County 4-H

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

• Give today

If you would like to directly donate to Brown County 4-H programming, including sponsoring awards, project workshops, or events, please contact the Brown County Extension Office directly using the contact information below.

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!

Find A Club

Most 4-H'ers join a local club at some point. 4-H Clubs offer small-group learning facilitated by caring adult volunteer leaders who are screened, trained and guided by local University of Minnesota staff. Leaders and peers gather regularly as a club to engage in non-formal learning and support each other as you dive deep into your goals, interests, and personal passions. 

• Brown County 4-H Clubs At-A-Glance

Volunteer with Brown County 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
• Brown County 4-H volunteer opportunities

Check out "Events and News" for more opportunities!

Brown County 4-H Federation

• Meeting Minutes
• Federation Resource Page
• Brown County 4-H Federation Officer Application & Nomination Form

Brown County Ambassadors

• Ambassador Resource Page
• Brown County 4-H Ambassador Application & Nomination Form

Brown County 4-H record keeping 

• 4-H Record Keeping Resource Page

4-H at the Brown County Free Fair

• 4-H Fair Resource Page
• Brown County 4-H Early Graduation Form
• Brown Agricultural Society (Fair Board) Website

Brown County 4-H year-end awards celebration

Each year we honor our Brown County 4-H youth and volunteers for all of their accomplishments. This ceremony is hosted by an Awards Committee and our County Ambassadors annually on the last Sunday of October. Nominations and Early Graduation forms are due by the first of October each program year to be recognized at the awards ceremony.

• Brown County 4-H Award Descriptions
• Brown County 4-H Award Nomination Form

Miscellaneous documents

Here you will find relevant forms for Brown County 4-H Members. Many of the forms listed below are specific to Brown County 4-H and may be periodically updated. If you are a 4-H volunteer or member and see a need to update any of the forms below, please reach out to the Extension Office for more information!

• AnSci Lease Information Form
• Bring-it-Back! Reimbursement Form
• Budget Narrative
• Clubs at-a-glance
• Club Workbook (formerly 'Program of Work', optional)
• Competitive Events: deadlines, consequences, and exemptions table
• Financial Assistance Request Form
• Fundraising Income Transaction Form
• Income Generation Application
• Officer Training Welcome
• One-time Exemption Form
• Transportation Reimbursement Form
• Volunteer Opportunities

Madeline Clarke, 4-H Extension educator
[email protected]  or 507-794-7993

Minnesota Farm Information Line
1-800-232-9077 or [email protected]

Gifts support local programming coordinated by Brown 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

Contact the Brown County Extension office at 507-794-7993

or 

Minnesota Master Gardener Hotline
Available year-round
612-301-7590

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

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:

• Bridging Brown County
• 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 participatory 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.