Extension in Dakota County

What is 4-H?

4-H is an out-of-school, hands-on learning program for people grades Kindergarten through one year past high school.  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.  Dakota County has 18 community clubs to choose from.

 The 4-H year is October 1 through September 30.

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.

Request information on 4-H

Complete this form and 4-H staff will contact you.

Dakota County 4-H Club information

How do I join 4-H?

Review the club leader list to learn learn more about clubs in your area. Contact club leaders for specific club details.  Visit a club meeting or two to see if the club is a good fit for your family. Become a 4-H member to open up a host of resources and opportunities such as showcase and judging experiences, scholarships, leadership trips and more.

Youth need to register through 4-H Online, our online registration database.

4-H Pledge

“I pledge my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater loyalty, my Hands to larger service, and my Health to better living, for my family, my club, my community, my country, and my world.”

The 4-H's

• The Head is to signify clearer thinking.
• The Heart is to signify greater loyalty.
• The Hands are to signify larger service.
• The Health is to signify better living.

4-H Motto

“To make the best better.”

Join Dakota County 4-H 

4-H has something for everyone!   4-H is for youth in grades Kindergarten through one year past high school.  The primary way that youth get involved in 4-H is through community clubs.

4-H enrollment period is Oct. 1 through May 15.  You can enroll in 4-H at any time however, some events require enrollment before May 15 to participate.  The sooner you enroll, the better so you don't miss any important communication or events.  May 15 is also the deadline that all animals must be identified in your 4-H Online family profile, to participate in county fair shows.

 Events such as county fair and the Minnesota State Fair require member enrollment before May 15.

4-H members must enroll/re-enroll each year though 4-H Online.

• Join 4-H for the first time or re-enroll
• 4-H Online 2.0 enrollment guide for families
  • New to 4-H?  Go to page 2 to enroll as a new member.
• Enroll as an independent member
• What is Minnesota 4-H?

Find a 4-H club in Dakota County

Dakota County 4-H has 18 community clubs.  The Dakota County 4-H club information sheet has detailed information about our clubs.  Choose a club that works best for your families schedule so you can get the most out of your 4-H experience.  4-H 

• Dakota County 4-H club information 

Membership dues

Annual county 4-H membership dues are $25/member. Families complete the Family Membership Dues Form and submit it with payment directly to the Dakota County Extension Office, 4100 220th St. West, #101, Farmington, MN  55024.  Membership dues should be paid when you enroll in 4-H Online.  Scholarships available for membership dues.

• Family Membership Dues Form

4-H Communication

All 4-H communication is through email. Please check the Dakota County 4-H website and your email often for information on current 4-H events and deadlines in Dakota County.  We will continue to share our Friday Forecast weekly about upcoming program offerings along with our monthly newsletter. 

What is a 4-H project?

• What is a 4-H Project?
• 4-H Project Timeline example

Register for a 4-H event

• 4-H Online event registration

Become a Dakota County 4-H volunteer

• Apply to become a 4-H volunteer

Questions about joining 4-H?  Contact 4-H staff

• Abby Wagner, torg0016@umn.edu or 651-480-7752
• Anja Johnson, akoester@umn.edu or 651-480-7758
• Kirsten Pederson, kapeders@umn.edu or 651-480-7722
• Rachel Rezac, reza0027@umn.edu or 651-480-7754
• Dakota County 4-H - mnext-dakota@umn.edu  or 651-480-7700

• Dakota County 4-H Family Membership Dues Form
• 4-H Online 2.0 animal ID'ing
• Dakota County adult volunteer screening information and application
• Hampton Gun Club Release of Liability form
• Dakota County 4-H 2021-2022 - DRAFT budget
• Dakota County 4-H Horseless Horse payment form and dues

Weekly communication sent to families filled with learning opportunities and resources.

• December 3, 2021
• December 10, 2021
• December 17, 2021
• January 7, 2022
• January 14, 2022
• January 21, 2022
• January 28, 2022

Livestock and animal projects

You will find the animal science information for Dakota County here as it becomes available.

• 4-H animal science projects
• 4-H animal ID
• Leasing a 4-H animal
• Tip sheet for using 4-H Online for ID'ing animals
• Ear tag order for Dakota County 4-H - due May 3
• Dakota County 4-H Animal ID letter for beef, dairy, goat, rabbit, poultry, sheep and swine
• How to Read Ear Notches of Pigs
• Market Sheep & Goat weigh in sign-up

Animal science help guides

• Beef
• Dairy
• Goat
• Poultry
• Rabbit
• Sheep
• Swine

Dog project information

• Dog training registration - training began first Monday in May
• Dog training schedule
• Dakota County 4-H Dog ID letter
• Minnesota 4-H Dog Project

Dog training classes

Each week, 4-H members are to sign-up indicating their attendance at dog training.  Please sign-up by Sunday evening to participate in Monday night training classes.

• Monday, June 28 dog training class sign-up
• Monday, July 5 - NO dog training class
• Monday, July 12 dog training class sign-up
• Monday, July 19 dog training class sign-up
• Monday, July 26 dog training class sign-up

Horse project information

• Dakota County 4-H Horse and Horseless Horse calendar
• Dakota County 4-H Horse ID information
• Dakota County 4-H Horse Camp - Postponed to Oct. 16
• Minnesota State 4-H Horse project
• Dakota County 4-H Horse Project Handbook

Rabbit agility

• Rabbit Agility Information, Schedule and Participant Form

Static (general) project 

Shooting Sports & Wildlife

• Wildlife opportunities
• SS&W range schedule

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!

Dakota County clubs

Dakota County has more than 22 active 4-H clubs.  To learn more, contact Dakota County 4-H staff.

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

Give today

Abby Wagner, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
torg0016@umn.edu, 651-480-7752

Anja Johnson, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
akoester@umn.edu, 651-480-7758

Kirsten Pederson, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
kapeders@umn.edu, 651-480-7722

Rachel Rezac, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
reza0027@umn.edu,651-480-7754

Cherie Frandrup, Executive administrative assistant
frand004@umn.edu, 651-480-7702

Dakota County 4-H general contact information
mnext-dakota@umn.edu, 651-480-7700

The 2022 Dakota County Fair is August 8-14 at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington. 

2022 Dakota County Fair information will be posted as it becomes available.  ALL information listed below is 2021 information and is only to be used as a reference.

Minnesota 4-H at county fairs

County Fair resources from Minnesota 4-H

Exhibitor letter

County fair letter to families

Premium book

2021 Dakota County 4-H Premium Book

Fair registration

County fair exhibit registration is completed using FairEntry.com. Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 12. Review the FairEntry user guides and tutorials for more details.

Club Exhibit Registration - clubs leaders should submit by July 12 deadline.

Judging Links

Coming soon!

Volunteering at the Fair

• 4-H Barn Malt Stand sign-up
• 4-H Dining Hall sign-up
• Judges Assistant

Support Dakota County 4-H at the fair

Contact 4-H staff at mnext-dakota@umn.edu for information on supporting the Dakota County 4-H Livestock Auction, the Blue Ribbon Dairy Fund and county fair champion awards.

County Fair Resources

• Dakota County 4-H Clothing Judging information letter
• Special Considerations Judging Form - due July 12
• Oversized Exhibit Form - due July 12
• 4-H Competitive Events: Absentee/Virtual Judging of Projects
• 4-H Competitive Events: Judging Experiences for Youth with Disabilities or Injuries
• 4-H policies
• State 4-H project evaluation / judging criteria sheets
• Helpful hints when preparing for the fair

Animal Science/Livestock Fair Resources

• 4-H Livestock Interview SignUp Genius
• Livestock pre-fair letter (beef, dairy, goat, poultry, rabbit, sheep, swine)
• Horse pre-fair letter
• Dakota County 4-H Horse Project Handbook
• 2021 4-H Animal Science Judging & Events Schedule
• Dairy Genetics & Production Form - due July 26
• IAFE (International Association of Fairs and Expositions) Code of Show Ring Ethics
• 4-H animal science projects
• Horse hat order form - due July 26; hat orders are optional

Static (non-livestock) state fair line-up

Static state fair trip winner lists

Aerospace through Forest Resources trip winner lists

Fruit, Vegetable & Herb Gardening through Youth Leadership trip winner list

Performing Arts trip winner list

Horse Patterns

Overall Showmanship Pattern

Patterns for all other riding levels

Livestock Show Catalogs

Dairy Show Catalog

Goat Show Catalog

Beef Cow/Calf & Feeder Calf

Rabbit Show Catalog

Poultry Show Catalog

Sheep Show Catalog

Beef - Market and Dairy Steers, Breeding Heifers

Swine

Camp at the Dakota County Fairgrounds

• Camp application, agreement and camp site map

Farmland rent information

• Farmland rental rates and information

Additional resources

• Private pesticide applicator resources
• Iowa Custom Rate Survey

• Animals and livestock
• Crop production
• Managing a farm

About the program

Master Gardeners are committed to providing the highest quality, research-based horticultural information and educational activities that enhance our community's environment and quality of life.

The mission of the Dakota County Extension Master Gardener program is to educate and assist the public by answering questions and solving problems about horticulture and related environmental topics.  More than 130 Dakota County residents are University of Minnesota Extension-trained and volunteer thousands of hours each year.

Become a Dakota County Master Gardener

If you have a love of gardening, a desire for learning and a will to share your knowledge with others, consider becoming a University of Minnesota Master Gardener in Dakota County.

Master Gardener applications are due Oct. 1 of the current year. If you would like us to contact you when the applications for the 2023 Master Gardener class are available, complete this form.

• Ask a Master Gardener to get your yard and garden questions by email or over the phone.
• Find resources on the yard and garden pages.
• Learn about being a Master Gardener volunteer
• Master Naturalist volunteers work in your community
• Yard and Garden News

Do you have additional questions relating to canning, freezing, and preserving?

Contact the AnswerLine at 1-800-854-1678, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 12 noon and 1-4 p.m., or email them at answer@iastate.edu 

Extension offers a variety of educational programs about nutrition and health in Dakota 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'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:

• Growing Local: Northfield Emerging Leaders Program
• 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 and how to submit a project idea.

U of M Extension, Dakota County
mnext-dakota@umn.edu

4100 220^th St. West, Suite 101
Farmington, MN 55024

Phone: 651-480-7700
Fax: 651-480-7794

View all Dakota County contacts.

Abby Wagner, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
torg0016@umn.edu, 651-480-7752

Anja Johnson, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
akoester@umn.edu ,651-480-7758

Kirsten Pederson, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
kapeders@umn.edu, 651-480-7722

Rachel Rezac, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
reza0027@umn.edu,651-480-7754

Cherie Frandrup, Executive administrative assistant
frand004@umn.edu, 651-480-7702

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.