Extension in Hennepin County

• 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!

There are also many ways adults (anyone age 18+) can support youth learning and leading in 4-H. 

• Want to learn about volunteering with the 4-H Youth Development Program?

  • Visit the Volunteering with 4-H page to learn more about how volunteers positively impact youth and community

  • Contact your 4-H Extension Educator to learn about specific roles available in your community

• Ready to become a screened Minnesota 4-H volunteer?

  • Visit the Apply to become a 4-H volunteer page to begin the application and screening process

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. 

All Project Record resources can be found online.

Hennepin County 4-H Weekly Newsletter, Monday February 20, 2023

Hennepin County 4-H Weekly Newsletter, Tuesday February 14, 2023

Hennepin County 4-H Weekly Newsletter, Tuesday February 6, 2023

Hennepin County 4-H Weekly Newsletter, Monday January 30, 2023

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

Give today

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!

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.  

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

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.

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.

Partner organizations

• Twin Cities Growers Network
• Ecological Service Livestock Network

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.

Kaitlyn Albers, Interim Extension educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources  alber877@umn.edu

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.

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.

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

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

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.