Extension in Houston County

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. 

Like our Houston County 4H   or Houston County Extension pages on Facebook to stay up to date! 

Mission of 4-H Youth Development 

The mission of the 4-H Youth Development program is to engage youth, in partnership with adults, in quality learning opportunities that enable them to shape and reach their full potential as active citizens in a global community.

The 4 H’s

• The Head is to signify clearer thinking.
• The Heart is to signify greater loyalty.
• The Hands are to signify larger service.
• The Health is to signify better living.

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.”

4-H  Motto

“To make the best better.”

4-H helps youth develop leadership skills, build self confidence, develop public speaking skills, and other healthy life skills all while having fun and meeting new friends!

You Name it, You can do it! And better yet, you can get a lot of help from adult volunteers and youth leaders. There are mentors who can teach you and help you learn. You can join a 4-H club through 12th grade where you can do all kinds of fun, learning activities.

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
• How to become a Volunteer
• Volunteering with 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 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

Club Activities-Please contact the Extension Office for more information

Houston County Events

Minnesota State Opportunities

National Opportunities

The Weekly Update goes out to all registered 4-H members via email on Wednesday's. To receive this newsletter via email - please email Rebecca.  

Houston County Fair 2024: August 14-18

Let us know if you're looking for something that's not here!

• Houston County clubs for youth in grades kindergarten through one year post-high school
• Club and project leader information 
• Leading a 4-H club
• Family Handbook 
• 4-H ideas book 
• Spotlight for new members
• Friends of 4-H Boosters application 
• Other resources and awards
• Reimbursement form
• 2024 Houston County 4-H Senior Scholarship 

Rebecca Paulson, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Houston County

Email: rpaulson@umn.edu 
Phone: 507-725-5807 or 507-218-2946

Jennifer Burrichter,  Administrative Support Staff, Houston County Extension
Email: burrichj@umn.edu
Phone: 507-725-5807

Like our  Houston County 4H   or Houston County Extension pages on Facebook to stay up to date!

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

Give today

Katie Drewitz, Extension Educator, Ag Production Systems, Houston/Fillmore County Extension
Email: wins0115@umn.edu
Phone: 507-725-5807 or 507-951-6609

Jennifer Burrichter, Administrative Support Staff, Houston County Extension
Email: burrichj@umn.edu
Phone: 507-725-5807

Like our Houston County Extension page on Facebook to stay up to date! 

UMN Agriculture Extension Fillmore & Houston County Facebook page

Welcome to University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners in Houston County

Houston County is located in beautiful Bluff Country along the Mississippi River in the Driftless Region of southeast Minnesota. The ancient topography presents a wonderful variety of habitats for native and cultivated plants. A wide range of micro-climates are provided by the various exposure aspects of these bluffs and the deeply eroded faces that have exposed a range of soils. The zone 4/5 temperature regimes lend to the variety of plants that can thrive here.

“Master Gardeners work toward a healthy environment for all Minnesotans. They provide information and strategies to help people achieve thriving lawns, flowers, fruits and vegetables and home landscapes while minimizing or eliminating the use of pesticides.”

More about Houston County Extension Master Gardener volunteers

The Houston County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers are a group of everyday people who are passionate about gardening and committed to giving back to their local communities in southeast Minnesota. Each member of this group has completed an educational program put on by the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. This program covers many aspects of gardening, including botany, soils, trees & shrubs, herbaceous plants, indoor plants, fruits, vegetables, lawn care, entomology, plant pests, and diseases. In exchange for their certification, they must annually contribute at least 25 volunteer hours of education to the general public. As well, they must complete 5-12 education hours per year.

Some activities of Master Gardeners include:

• Teaching classes and workshops.
• Answering phone inquiries concerning home horticulture.
• Assisting with county Horticulture Days.
• Teaching and demonstrating horticulture techniques in community and school gardens.
• Teaching youth and judging horticulture projects.
• Media interviews and articles on horticulture topics.
• Speaking to schools and youth groups on gardening topics.
• Holding plant clinics at garden centers and farmers markets.
• Representing the program at county and state fair exhibits.
• Teaching horticulture in hospitals, nursing homes, and retirement centers.

The University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener™ program is an internationally recognized volunteer program. It exists in all 50 states, in Canada and in the United Kingdom. Nationally, there are nearly 100,000 Master Gardener volunteers from all walks of life. They reach about 5 million people each year – the equivalent of more than $100 million in value to communities. In Minnesota, the Master Gardener program is coordinated by University of Minnesota Extension and has strong ties to the research and outreach of the Department of Horticultural Science.

Learn more about becoming a Master Gardener.

Check out the University of Minnesota Master Gardener Facebook Page. 

Gifts support local programming coordinated by Houston County Master Gardener volunteers.

Make a gift on the University of Minnesota giving page.

• Become a Master Gardener volunteer
• Master Naturalist volunteers work in your community

Katie Drewitz,  Extension Educator, Ag Production Systems, Houston/Fillmore County Extension
Email: wins0115@umn.edu
Phone: 507-725-5807 or 507-951-6609

Extension offers a variety of educational programs about nutrition and health in Houston 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.

Use the Real Life, Good Food website to find recipes, cooking tips and physical activity ideas for a healthier life.

Annette Shepardson, SNAP-ED Educator

Email:  shepa063@umnedu
Phone: 507-457-6440

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.

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.

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 in your county and neighboring communities, and how to submit a project idea.