Extension in Hennepin County

There are several ways to join or re-enroll in 4-H. 

• Join 4-H for the first time or re-enroll
• Enroll as an independent member

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. 

Give today

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 

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.

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.

Master Naturalist volunteers work in your community

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

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.

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 

Karl Hakanson, Extension Educator, Agriculture & Natural Resources
khakanso@umn.edu 

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

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.