Extension in Crow Wing County

We are excited you are interested in joining 4-H in Crow Wing County!  As you get connected, you will find that there is a lot going on and many ways to get involved.  It is our hope that the 4-H community will be a positive one for you and your family.  Crow Wing County 4-H is committed to using experiential education methods to develop a passion for lifelong learning. 
4-H welcomes all boys and girls, no matter where they live.  Youth can join 4-H when they are in kindergarten and continue to one year past high school.  Younger kids, kindergarten through second grade, are part of the Cloverbud program, where activities promote creativity and discovery without emphasis on competition.  Many activities and events are planned so the entire family can participate.

Why join 4-H?

Exciting things are happening in 4-H today. 4-H lets kids try new skills and express themselves through fun hands-on activities. Working on projects helps connect kids with their friends, families, communities, and the world. 4-H helps kids gain confidence and develop life skills that will help them be successful. 4-H is inclusive and adaptive to your family's unique needs.

What is 4-H? 

• 4-H offers opportunities to experience hands-on learning in a variety of project areas!  Crow Wing County’s most popular project areas are Creative Arts, Livestock, Shooting Sports and Wildlife, and Photography. You do not have to have an animal to participate in 4-H! For information on what types of 4-H projects you can explore check out the Crow Wing County Premium Book that is used each summer to register an exhibit at the County Fair.
• Youth can join a 4-H club in your community. Clubs usually meet monthly for fun, hands-on learning, group activities, and community service. With your club, you can participate in a variety of county-wide 4-H events. 
• There are also special interest clubs (for example, horse, dog, performing arts) and school based Youth Teaching Youth programs.
• 4-H’ers participate in their communities through community service activities and volunteering.
• Teens grades 6 and older have leadership opportunities within their club and/or the county.
• 4-H is family-focused! Parents/guardians and the entire family are encouraged to participate.
• Adults are needed as volunteers and active volunteers tell us they have learned as much as their children! In addition, many good friendships are made through their involvement in 4-H.

There are several ways to join or re-enroll:

• Join 4-H for the first time or re-enroll
• Enroll as an independent member
• Reach out to us to help you decide and answer your questions.

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!

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

There are many areas to donate to 4-H including 4-H General Fund; 4-H Youth Leadership Program Fund; 4-H Project Areas; 4-H State Fair Building Improvement Project Fund; 4-H Scholarships and Awards; and Urban 4-H Program Fund.

Give today

Please reach out to us with any questions on 4-H and how we can help you!

Cassie Girling, 4-H Youth Extension Educator
cgirling@umn.edu or 218-824-1069

Tracy Giza, Administration
tgiza@umn.edu or 218-824-1065

• Farm Information Line
  Call 1-800-232-9077 to talk to an Extension Educator about
  agriculture and small acreage farm questions.
• Farm Bill Educational Materials
  Access online training materials developed in conjunction with USDA Farm Service Agency.

Master Gardener volunteers are University of Minnesota-trained volunteers who educate the public about a variety of horticulture subjects using readily available, up-to-date research-based information. This educational effort is designed to enhance the public’s quality of life and to promote good stewardship of the environment.

Master Gardener volunteers complete many hours of volunteer work each year, providing a valuable in-kind contribution. These dollar figures quantify the enormous value that our volunteers provide to Minnesota.

In 2019 Crow Wing County Master Gardeners volunteered a total of 4,486 hours, at $29.44 a volunteer hour, contributed a value of $132,067 to the County.

Read more information about Master Gardeners or contact Brittany Goerges, Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator. 

• Insect identification
  Go through steps to identify an insect.
• Email mnext-crowwing@umn.edu a photo of an insect to have it identified by a U of M entomologist
• Pressure canner testing
  Stop by our office to use our free pressure canner tester.
• Home food preservation
  Access resources on Home Food Preservation and learn about upcoming in-person and online classes.
• Household AnswerLine
  Household experts can be reached at 1-800-854-1678 to help answer questions on topics such as cooking safety, canning and freezing foods, and stain removal.

Brittany Goerges, Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator
goerg039@umn.edu or 218-824-1068

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

Carolyn McQueen, Extension educator, Health and Nutrition
cmcqueen@umn.edu or 218-824-1349

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 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.

U of M Extension, Crow Wing County
326 Laurel Street, Suite 11
Brainerd, MN 56401

Phone: 218-824-1065
mnext-crowwing@umn.edu

Extension Counter Office Hours:
Monday - 12:30 - 4:30
Tuesday - No Official Counter Hours
Wednesday - 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday - 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday - 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

View all Crow Wing County contacts.

Cassie Girling, 4-H Youth Extension Educator 
cgirling@umn.edu or 218-824-1069

Carolyn McQueen, Extension educator, Health and Nutrition
cmcqueen@umn.edu or 218-824-1349

Brittany Goerges, Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator
goerg039@umn.edu or 218-824-1068

Tracy Giza, Administration
tgiza@umn.edu or 218-824-1065

Susanne Hinrichs, Regional Director Northeast Region
susanneh@umn.edu or 218-828-2286

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.