Extension in Carver County

U of M Extension, Carver County
[email protected]

11360 Hwy 212 West
Suite 4
Cologne, MN  55322

952-466-5300

Office hours

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (by appointment is preferred)

View all Carver County Extension 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. 

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

Carver County 4-H resources

• Carver County 4-H Handbook
• Carver County 4-H program catalog
• Carver County Club List 
• Carver County Club Map

Become a volunteer

Visit the Volunteering with 4-H page to learn more about how volunteers positively impact youth and the community.

Ready to apply?  Visit the  Apply to become a 4-H volunteer page to begin the application and screening process.

In 4-H, all youth are welcome

4-H is an out-of-school, hands-on learning program for people age 5-19. Youth choose a project that’s interesting to them and explore it with peers and caring adults. 4-H clubs are groups of youth who want to learn together and meet in every part of Minnesota.

Carver County 4-H believes that youth should be able to participate regardless of a family's financial situation. Available to anyone, fill out this confidential financial support request.

What can I do in 4-H?

The sky’s the limit! 4-H offers learning experiences in science, photography, agriculture, healthy living, civic engagement and much more. We have one-day events, year-long projects and everything in between. There are many ways to try 4-H.

Ways to participate

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 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

Stay up to date with Carver County 4-H  

• Download our app
  • Search 'Minnesota 4-H' in the App Store or in Google Play. In the app, search for Carver County 4-H
  • Carver County 4-H App information.
• Follow us on social media
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

New to Carver County 4-H?

Check out our new family resources.

We understand that as a new family enrolled in 4-H, it can be confusing.  Reach out to the office anytime you have questions 952-466-5304 or [email protected]

Devarati Bhattacharya, Extension Educator,  Carver County 4-H 
[email protected] or 952-466-5304

Newsletters

• E-Newsletter are sent every Friday, contact the office if you are not receiving it.

General information

Carver County 4-H resources

• Carver County 4-H Handbook
• Carver County 4-H program catalog
• Carver County Club List 
• Carver County Club Map

Financial Resources

• Expense Reimbursement Form
• 4-H Income Generation Application
• 4-H Fundraising Transaction Form
• 4-H Income Generation Follow-up Report

4-H Club Leader/ Officer Resources

• Leading a club and charter applications
• Leaders Resource Guide
• President's Script
• Secretary's Book
• Meeting Minutes Worksheet
• Treasurer Training Workbook
• Volunteer Resource Center

Policies

• Cloverbud Policy (grades K-2)
• 4-H Competitive Events: Deadlines, Consequences and Exemptions 2024

Award Application

• 4-H Federation Scholarship-high school graduates, due April 7, 2025

Codes of Conduct

• Youth
• Parent
• Volunteer

Fair Information   

Save the date for the 2025 Carver County Fair, August 6-10, 2025 (Tuesday, August 5, 2025-Entry Day and general project conference judging.)

Premium Book 2024

Bookmarks

• General information
• 4-H Judging and events schedule
• How to register for the fair
• Rules and regulations
• General project area
• Animal Science project area

Volunteers needed to run the fair!

Resources

Policies

• Cloverbud Policy  (grades K-2)
• Carver County 4-H Competitive Events: Deadlines, Consequences and Exemptions 2024

Interview Schedules 

Results for 2024 Fair 

State Fair information for Carver County 4-H members - coming soon

Information for Carver County 4-H at the MN State Fair 2024

• Carver County General Encampment is Encampment 2: August 27 - 29, 2024 - Judging Schedule 
• Livestock encampment is Wednesday, August 21-Sunday, August 24, 2024 - Judge Schedule-coming soon
• Llama encampment is Wednesday, August 28 - Friday, August 30, 2024
• 4-H state fair exhibitor resources
  • State Fair Livestock interviews due before you arrive at the state fair grounds.
• Chaperone resources

Give to Carver County 4-H

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

Give today

Carver County Extension has an active agricultural education program. From questions around land rent, farm transfer, pasture management, and livestock questions, many program offerings are developed from your inquiries. Reach out to Colleen Carlson with your questions. 

Follow us on Facebook @CarverScottExtension

Sign-Up for the Carver/ Scott Ag Newsletter

May 2022 Carver/ Scott Ag Newsletter

Colleen Carlson, Extension ag educator
[email protected] or 507-521-3640

Benton Lake is a No-Wake Lake in the middle of Cologne, Minnesota that citizens can explore via the fishing pier and kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding.

Benton Lake Audio Tour

Master Gardeners in Carver and Scott counties joined together to form a unified group in 1987, with a grand total membership of five.  Since those humble beginnings, the group has grown to its current size of 100+ active members.  These members regularly average over 50 hours volunteer time per year and keep busy with many yearly projects.  

Learn more on the Carver Scott Extension Master Gardeners website or contact Kristy Mock, Master Gardener Program Coordinator at [email protected] or 952-466-5309

Gifts support local programming coordinated by Carver County Master Gardener volunteers.

Make a gift on the University of Minnesota giving page.

Ask a Master Gardener in Carver/Scott counties
952.466.5308 or [email protected]

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

Kristy Mock, Carver County, Master Gardener Program Coordinator
[email protected] or 952-466-5309

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

See all financial events for Carver County

Check out our UMN Extension Family News to stay current with information, resources, and programming.  Also, follow us on Facebook and Twitter @UMNExtFD. 

Samantha Roth, Financial Capability Extension Educator, Carver County
[email protected] or 952-466-5300

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.