
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
- 4-H is a broad and diverse community organization with plenty of history and opportunities. Here in Hennepin County, we have a variety of Community Clubs (community-based), Project Clubs (interest-based), and Partner Clubs (organizationally-based). Youth can also participate in 4-H programs, both locally and across Minnesota. Throughout the 4-H year, we also offer a variety of county-wide programs and activities, as well as additional leadership opportunities for older youth. In Hennepin 4-H, there is something for everyone!
View the Hennepin County 4-H Program Catalog to connect with a club leader and learn more about what's going on in 4-H in our County.
If you're ready to jump in, the next step is to enroll officially in 4-H. If you're new to 4-H you can enroll online. This family tip sheet will be helpful!
Contact Hennepin County 4-H staff with any questions!
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.
There are also many ways adults (anyone age 18+) can support youth learning and leading in 4-H.
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Want to learn about volunteering with the 4-H Youth Development Program?
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Visit the Volunteering with 4-H page to learn more about how volunteers positively impact youth and community
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Contact your 4-H Extension Educator to learn about specific roles available in your community
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Ready to become a screened Minnesota 4-H volunteer?
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Visit the Apply to become a 4-H volunteer page to begin the application and screening process
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There are many ways to participate in 4-H!
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 and 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.
Gifts support 4-H youth development in Hennepin;County, and local programming coordinated by the Hennepin;County 4-H Council.
Amy Collura, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
hughe534@umn.edu or 612-596-2134
Alyssa Woodard, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
wooda057@umn.edu or (612) 596-2115
The Hennepin County 4-H Showcase Dashboard is your homebase and guide to the many projects and events that are available to your 4-H’ers this spring and summer! There are so many ways you can showcase your projects and your learning, so we thought we’d make a webpage!
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 and Pollinators. Certified Master Gardener volunteers are required to provide 25 hours of service annually.
Become an MG
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 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 $295 for the course and background check; additional $25 for printed manual; scholarships are available. Application process and materials can be found here.
Gardening events in Hennepin County
Learn about our educational events.
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 backyard from local experts.
Yard and Garden News
Gardening tips and emerging issues affecting Minnesota.
Terry Straub, Extension Educator, Master Gardener Volunteer Program
strau097@umn.edu
Office phone: 612-596-2130, Cell phone: 612-501-3761
Rachel Kimpton, Youth Education & Community Programs Coordinator, Master Gardener Volunteer Program
kimpt005@umn.edu
Office phone: 612-596-1695
Health and nutrition
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.
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a Federal Extension or 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.
Learn more about EFNEP and find links to state and local programs, EFNEP impacts and reports, and research findings. This site also includes program guidance for EFNEP implementers.
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.
EFNEP contacts
Joyce McGee-Brown, EFNEP Community Nutrition Educator
jmcgee@umn.edu, 612-596-2135
John (Trip) Haggenmiller, EFNEP Community Nutrition Educator
hagge142@umn.edu, 952-220-2864
SNAP-Ed contacts
Sharmyn Phipps, SNAP-Ed Regional coordinator
phipp004@umn.edu, 952-237-0382
Kanko Akakpovi, SNAP-Ed Regional coordinator
kakakpov@umn.edu, 320-237-3161
Lisa Wong, SNAP-Ed Regional coordinator
lswong@umn.edu, 209-648-4996
Thao Pham - (Vietnamese Speaking), SNAP-Ed educator
pham0375@umn.edu, 612-596-2110
Maria Teresa Thoreson (Spanish Speaking), SNAP-Ed educator
thor0349@umn.edu
Selah Michele, SNAP-Ed educator
selah@umn.edu
April Smith, SNAP-Ed educator
aprilms@umn.edu
Nimo Yusuf (Somali Speaking), SNAP-Ed educator
yusu0008@umn.edu
Hibaq Dualeh (Somali Speaking), SNAP-Ed educator
hadualeh@umn.edu
Pae Say (Karen Speaking)- SNAP-Ed educator
sayxx007@umn.edu
Michael Stratten, SNAP-Ed educator
mstratte@umn.edu
Shirley Vang (Hmong Speaking), SNAP-Ed educator
sevang@umn.edu
Anna Sneltjes, SNAP-Ed educator
snelt004@umn.edu , 651-356-5425
Agriculture and natural resources
Partner organizations
Natural resources
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 also can study to become a Minnesota Master Naturalist.
Agriculture and natural resource events in Hennepin County
Attend agriculture or natural resource-related events near you.
Statewide agriculture and natural resource events
Agriculture and natural resource conferences, in-person events, and online courses are offered all year around the state.
agriculture and natural resource news in Hennepin County
Find the latest on Extension agricultural and 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.
Kaitlyn Albers, Interim Extension educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources
alber877@umn.edu, 612-596-2126
Sustainable communities
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.
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.
The Hennepin-University Urban Agriculture Initiative is a partnership between Hennepin County and Extension's local office. It brings together four key areas: 4-H Youth Development; Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Master Gardeners; and Health & Nutrition (SNAP-Ed and EFNEP). This program will transform vacant urban lots into community gardens. It will also be a learning space for youth and residents, and a place of connection and co-designed programs for the broader community. Youth and residents will gain skills and knowledge about urban agriculture. We will also offer opportunities for community building, beauty, healing and intergenerational learning. Come grow with us! If you would like to connect, please contact Amie Mondl.
Statewide community development events
Join us at an event in your community.
Statewide natural resources events
Find opportunities to learn about the natural environment, how to care for your forest lands, and how you and your family can get out and explore nature around the state and in your own backyard.
Community development news
Find information on community-focused news.
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.
RSDP Happenings
Learn more about community-driven sustainability projects happening across Minnesota.
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, Regional Director, East Central Region
taylo103@umn.edu, 763-767-3836
Kaitlyn Albers, Interim Extension Educator, Agriculture & Natural Resources
alber877@umn.edu, 612-596-2126
Amy Collura, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
hughe534@umn.edu, 612-596-2134
John (Trip) Haggenmiller, SNAP-Ed Educator
hagge142@umn.edu
Rachel Kimpton, Youth education & Community Programs Coordinator, Master Gardener Volunteer Program
kimpt005@umn.edu
Askia Luminae, Executive Office & Administrative Specialist
aluminae@umn.edu, 612-596-2128
Joyce McGee-Brown, EFNEP Community Nutrition Educator
jmcgee@umn.edu, 612-596-2135
Amie Mondl, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development, Urban
rober199@umn.edu, 612-624-6955
Thao Pham - (Vietnamese Speaking), SNAP-Ed Educator
pham0375@umn.edu
Terry Straub, Extension Educator, Master Gardener Volunteer Program
strau097@umn.edu, Office Phone: 612-596-2130
Anna Sneltjes, SNAP-Ed Educator
snelt004@umn.edu
Alyssa Woodard, 4-H Extension Educator
wooda057@umn.edu
Nimo Yusuf (Somali Speaking), SNAP-Ed Educator
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.