Extension is expanding its online education and resources to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions.
Extension in Hennepin County

Welcome to Hennepin County
Hennepin County partners with Extension to deliver practical education and research you can use at home, at work and in your community.
4-H
There are several ways to join or re-enroll in 4-H.
4-H events in Hennepin County
Attend a 4-H event near you.
All 4-H events
Find a 4-H event in Minnesota.
4-H news in Hennepin County
Stay informed about all that is happening in Hennepin County 4-H.
Statewide 4-H news
Learn more about what is happening in Minnesota 4-H.
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!
Amy Collura, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
hughe534@umn.edu or 612-596-2134
Katherine Nguyen, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
nguy1518@umn.edu or 612-596-2115
Amie Mondl, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
rober199@umn.edu or 612-624-6955
Gifts support 4-H youth development in Hennepin County, and local programming coordinated by the Hennepin County 4-H Council.
Project Records
Project Records have changed in the last few years as we try to tweak every year to make it easier and less tedious for our 4-H'ers. Check out what resources and see how the questions have changed to better reflect your learning and judging experience. 4-H'ers can now submit their Project Records for the Fall Awards Banquet (October) for review using traditional methods (binder, pencil & paper) or a virtual method (Google Slides, Videos, etc.). Youth in grades K-13 are welcome to use project records to keep track of what projects they have done through their 4-H year. Almost like a journal entry, except for projects you've completed.
All Project Record resources can be found at z.umn.edu/HCProjectRecords
Gardening
Master Gardener volunteers are University of Minnesota-trained and bring researched-based information to the public about a variety of horticulture topics. Our work consists of seven priority areas:
- Clean water
- Climate change
- Horticultural skills
- Local food
- Nearby nature
- Plant biodiversity
- Pollinators
Certified Master Gardener volunteers are required to provide 25 hours of service annually.
Gardening Events in Hennepin County
Find gardening learning opportunities online and near you.
Statewide gardening events
Find out about the Master Gardener Volunteer core course or attend other events offered throughout the year.
Gardening news in Hennepin County
Find the latest gardening tips and news you can use in your own back yard from local experts.
Statewide news
- Yard and Garden News - Gardening tips and emerging issues affecting Minnesota.
Become a Master Gardener
Master Gardener Volunteers take their knowledge and love of gardening into the Hennepin County Community and share it with others. Volunteers learn while they are volunteering; they also learn by attending required continuing education classes offered by the University of Minnesota, MN Landscape Arboretum and Minnesota Horticultural Society. The Master Gardener Volunteer Program is the perfect way to volunteer your time and talents AND learn more at the same time. Applications are accepted annually from August 1 through October 1. During their first year, Master Gardener volunteers are expected to provide 50 hours of service, in addition to attending our 50-hour core course. Volunteers pay $300 for the course; scholarships are available. E-mail hcmg@umn.edu, or call 612-596-2130 to be placed on our application notification list.
Become a Master Gardener volunteer
If you enjoy hiking, bird watching, following tracks, or identifying wildflowers, you'll fit right in with our motivated group of fun and interesting people. Teachers, retired professionals, nature guides, hunters, eco-tour operators, farmers and more count themselves among the ranks of our members.
Terry Straub, Extension Educator, Master Gardener Volunteer Program
strau097@umn.edu or Office Phone: 612-596-2130, Cell Phone: 612-501-3761
Jaime Harris, Master Gardener Program Youth Education Coordinator, Master Gardener program
jsharris@umn.edu or 612-596-1695
Health and nutrition
Extension offers a variety of educational programs about nutrition and health in Hennepin 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.
Learn a delicious and herbaceous dish from our educator, Thao Pham!
Use the Real Life, Good Food website to find recipes, cooking tips and physical activity ideas for a healthier life.
Health and nutrition events in Hennepin County
Learn more about staying healthy and eating well.
Statewide health and nutrition events
Join Extension educators and community partners in events that encourage health, wellbeing and good nutrition.
Health and nutrition news in Hennepin County
Stay up to date with our health and nutrition news.
Family News
Find information that helps families make informed decisions leading to better health and wellbeing.
EFNEP is a Federal Extension (community outreach) program that currently operates through the 1862 and 1890 Land-Grant Universities (LGUs) in every state, the District of Columbia, and the six U.S. territories – American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA), EFNEP uses education to support participants’ efforts toward self-sufficiency, nutritional health, and well-being. EFNEP combines hands-on learning, applied science, and program data to ensure program effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability.
Visit About EFNEP to learn more about EFNEP's reach, focus, impact, and initiatives underway and to find links to state and local programs, EFNEP impacts and reports, and research findings. This site also includes program guidance for EFNEP implementers.
Jacqueline Billhymer, EFNEP Regional Coordinator
Email: billh002@umn.edu, Phone: 651-704-2068
Joyce McGee-Brown, EFNEP Community Nutrition Educator
Email: jmcgee@umn.edu, Phone: 612-596-2135
Dawn Montgomery, EFNEP Community Nutrition Educator
Email: montg032@umn.edu, Phone: 612-596-2126
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) team helps low-income individuals and families make diet and lifestyle choices to improve their health and prevent obesity. We provide families with tools and strategies to help counter the effects of food insecurity, poverty, and obesity. The University of Minnesota Extension SNAP-Ed team can partner with your agency on educational offerings, or on a project for changing practices and systems to create an environment conducive to healthier living.
Sharmyn Phipps, SNAP-Ed Regional Coordinator
Email: phipp004@umn.edu, Phone: (952) 237-0382
Janice Rasmussen, SNAP-Ed Regional Coordinator
Email: rasm0193@umn.edu, Phone: (952) 237-0382
Lisa Wong, SNAP-Ed Regional Coordinator
Email: lswong@umn.edu, Phone: (209)-648-4996
Thao Pham - (Vietnamese Speaking), SNAP-Ed Educator
Email: pham0375@umn.edu pae, Phone: (612)-596-2110
Maria Teresa Thoreson (Spanish Speaking), SNAP-Ed Educator
Email: thor0349@umn.edu
Selah Michele, SNAP-Ed Educator
Email: selah@umn.edu
April Smith, SNAP-Ed Educator
Email: aprilms@umn.edu
Nimo Yusuf (Somali Speaking), SNAP-Ed Educator
Email: yusu0008@umn.edu
Hibaq Dualeh (Somali Speaking), SNAP-Ed Educator
Email: hadualeh@umn.edu
Pae Say (Karen Speaking)- SNAP-Ed Educator
Email:sayxx007@umn.edu
Michael Stratten, SNAP-Ed Educator
Email: mstratte@umn.edu
Shirley Vang (Hmong Speaking), SNAP-Ed Educator
Email: sevang@umn.edu
Deon Haider, SNAP-Ed Educator
Email: haid0088@umn.edu
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Agriculture & Natural Resource events in Hennepin County
Attend agriculture or natural resource-related events near you.
Statewide Agriculture & Natural Resource events
Agriculture and Natural Resource conferences, in-person events, and online courses are offered all year around the state.
Agriculture & Natural Resource news in Hennepin County
Find the latest on Extension agricultural & Natural Resource research and news you can use on your farm from local experts.
Statewide news and blogs
- Agricultural Business Management News - Business and financial resources for farmers.
- Beef News - Beef industry featured events, farm safety and animal health.
- Dairy News - Dairy industry featured events, farm safety and animal health.
- Fruit and Vegetable News - Local production and marketing of fruit and vegetable crops in Minnesota.
- Minnesota Crop News - Emerging issues affecting Minnesota row crops and forages.
- My Minnesota Woods - Find out how to take care of your trees and enjoy Minnesota's beautiful woodlands.
- Natural Resources News - From preserving our wetlands to combating invasive species, read about protecting and enjoying nature.
Hennepin County Extension
U of M Extension, Hennepin County
mnext-hennepin@umn.edu
479 Prairie Center Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344-5378
Phone: 612- 596-2110
Fax: 612- 466-9974
View all Hennepin County contacts.
D. Craig Taylor, MPA, CEcD, Regional Director, University of Minnesota, East Central Region
Email: taylo103@umn.edu, Phone: 763-767-3836
Amy Collura, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
Email: hughe534@umn.edu, Phone: 612-596-2134
Karl Hakanson, Extension Educator, Agriculture & Natural Resources
Email: khakanso@umn.edu
Jaime Harris, Master Gardener Program Youth Education Coordinator, Master Gardener program
Email: jsharris@umn.edu, Phone: 612-596-1695
Askia Luminae, Executive Office & Administrative Specialist
Email: aluminae@umn.edu, Phone: 612-596-2128
Joyce McGee-Brown, EFNEP Community Nutrition Educator
Email: jmcgee@umn.edu, Phone: 612-596-2135
Amie Mondl, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
Email: rober199@umn.edu, Phone: 612-624-6955
Dawn Montgomery, EFNEP Community Nutrition Educator
Email: montg032@umn.edu, Phone: 612-596-2126
Katherine Nguyen, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
Email: nguy1518@umn.edu, Phone: 612-596-2115
Thao Pham - (Vietnamese Speaking), SNAP-Ed Educator
Email: pham0375@umn.edu pae
Terry Straub, Extension Educator, Master Gardener Volunteer Program
Email: strau097@umn.edu, Office Phone: 612-596-2130, Cell Phone: 612-501-3761
Nimo Yusuf (Somali Speaking), SNAP-Ed Educator
Email: yusu0008@umn.edu
Hennepin County events
View all events hosted in and near Hennepin County.
Extension courses and events
Extension provides in-person and online educational events all over Minnesota. Find one to attend.
Hennepin County news
Read all news from Hennepin County.
Extension wide news
Read the latest news from all of Extension's programs.
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.