Extension in Hennepin 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 gather as 4-H clubs, learning groups, afterschool, programs and camps, and explore topics (also called projects) that are interesting to them. 4-H groups are facilitated by youth leaders and caring adults. 4-H clubs are groups of youth who want to learn together and meet in every part of Minnesota. 

 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, school-year groups, seasonal cohorts, and everything in between. There are many ways to try 4-H.

Request information on 4-H

Fill out a form to have someone contact me. 

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.

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.”

What are the four H's of 4-H?

• Head signifies clearer thinking of a greater importance in life.
• Heart signifies greater loyalty to others and the greater good.
• Hands signifies larger service to the community.
• Health signifies better living through meeting personal needs

.

Read more on the 4 H’s from Michigan State University. 

 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!

Youth Participation

• 4-H member - For youth in grades K through one year past high school
  • Enroll in 4-H Online. Use this tip sheet for assistance: English | Spanish
  • Enroll on your mobile device at z.umn.edu/4h-mobile-enroll 
• County 4-H Ambassador - for youth in grades 6th and up
  • Sign-up here

View the Hennepin County 4-H Program Catalog to learn more about all that we offer. Feel free to reach out to various club leaders to learn more! There are many ways to participate in 4-H.

There are also many ways adults (anyone age 18+) can support youth learning and leading in 4-H. Visit the Volunteering with 4-H page to learn more about how volunteers positively impact youth and community

Hennepin County 4-H is actively recruiting adult volunteer positions (ages 18+) to join our program’s leadership team for the 2023-24 year, which starts October 2023. One-time, short-term, and year-round positions available. 

1. To inquire and apply, please complete the Hennepin County 4-H Volunteer Interest Form (z.umn.edu/Hennepin4HVolunteer). 

To become an official MN 4-H Volunteer, please complete this screening process

Hennepin County 4-H News September 27, 2023

Hennepin County 4-H News September 20, 2023

Hennepin County 4-H News  September 13, 2023

Hennepin Count 4-H News September 6, 2023

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

Alyssa Woodard, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
wooda057@umn.edu or 612-596-2115

Ashley Purry, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development 
Purry002@umn.edu or 612-596-2134

Visit Hennepin County 4-H on social media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter

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! 

2023 Showcase Dates & Project List:

• April 15: 4-H Food Show, Midtown Global Market
  • All foods & nutrition projects
• April 29: 4-H Arts Revue, Elision Playhouse
  • All expressive arts & communications projects
• June 15: Hennepin County Fair 
  • Cloverbud projects
  • General projects
  • Club / group projects
• July 29-30: Hennepin County 4-H Dog Show
• July 30: Hennepin County 4-H Horse Show

Forms & Policies

Minnesota 4-H has developed a series of policies to provide continuity in programming from county to county and address risk management of our events and activities at county and state fairs. These statewide policies are accessible here and include but are not limited to:

• Absentee judging of projects
• Judging experiences for youth with disabilities or injuries
• Cloverbud Policies and other info regarding age, judging procedures, showing animals, etc…
• Code of conduct
• Grievance Policy

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.

Lia Spaniolo, Urban and Small Farms Extension Educator
spaniolo@umn.edu, 612-596-2126

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.

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

Safia Ali, EFNEP Health and Wellness Coordinator
alix098@umn.edu, 612-596-2132

Jordan Blue, Principal Office and Administrative Specialist
blue0110@umn.edu, 612-596-2128

Amy Collura, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
hughe534@umn.edu,  612-596-2134

John (Trip) Haggenmiller, EFNEP Health and Wellness Coordinator
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, 612-596-2123

Joyce McGee-Brown, Senior EFNEP Health and Wellness Coordinator 
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 Health and Wellness Coordinator 
pham0375@umn.edu

Ashley Purry, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development 
Purry002@umn.edu or 612-596-2134

Lia Spaniolo, Urban and Small Farms Extension Educator
spaniolo@umn.edu, 612-596-2126

Terry Straub, Extension Educator, Master Gardener Volunteer Program
strau097@umn.edu, Office Phone: 612-596-2130

Anna Sneltjes, SNAP-Ed Health and Wellness Coordinator 
snelt004@umn.edu

Alyssa Woodard, 4-H Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development  
wooda057@umn.edu

Nimo Yusuf (Somali Speaking), SNAP-Ed Health and Wellness Coordinator 
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.