Extension in Hubbard County

Office hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Educators' days and hours will vary. 

U of M Extension, Hubbard County
[email protected]

201 Fair Avenue
Park Rapids, MN  56470

Phone: 218-732-3391

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. 

Interested in learning more about 4-H?

• Contact our 4-H staff to learn more, including how to get started in 4-H. 

Ready to join or re-enroll?

• Join 4-H or re-enroll

Follow us on social media @ Hubbard 4H

• Facebook
• Instagram

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

Give today

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!

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

The 4-H Showcases at the Hubbard County Fair will take place during the week of July 13-18, 2026, but there are also a few events that will be happening in the month of June that families may want to pay attention to as well! All of these dates can be found on our 2025 Hubbard County 4-H Fair Schedule.

A few key before-the-fair dates to highlight are:

• June 2 - FairEntry Registration Opens
• June 14 - Animal Science Exploration Day
• June 16 - Navigating the County Fair New Family Event
• June 16 - Livestock Exhibitor Meeting
• June 17 - FairEntry Registration Help Event
• June 23 - FairEntry Registration Closes
• July 1 - MN Meats Youth Skill-A-Thon
• July 7 - Animal Science Interviews and Pre-Fair Clean-Up/Set-U

More details and information relating to the fair are at: "The Fourcast-Special Edition 2025 Hubbard County Fair".

Registration on FairEntry for 4-H projects will open on June 2.  The deadline to register is June 23.  For assistance with county fair registration, you can utilize this quickstart guide or the detailed guide.  Contact the Extension office with any questions regarding county fair registration.

2025 Hubbard County 4-H Premium Book

Learn more about exhibiting as a 4-H'er at local county fairs.

4-H youth showcased their best at the 2025 Hubbard County Fair. The exhibitors and their exhibited projects that earned the top honors of Grand or Reserve Champions can be found here.

The 2025 4-H Premium Auction Fundraiser brought in record-making funds to support Hubbard County 4-H.

Learn what is going on in Hubbard County 4-H. "The Fourcast" is a newsletter that is emailed every two weeks to 4-H families and volunteers to keep everyone informed of important events, reminders, and deadlines.

• January 26, 2026
• January 12, 2026

The Hubbard County 4-H Family Resources folder is the main hub of information for our 4-H members, families, volunteers and community.  The Family Resource folder includes:

• new member resources
• meeting minutes
• newsletters
• educational information on projects
• AND SO MUCH MORE

The Farm Family Recognition Program has existed for over 30 years and honors farm families from throughout Minnesota for their contributions to the agriculture industry and their local communities.

Each year, a family from Hubbard County is recognized as the Farm Families of the Year.  

We are currently seeking nominations for Hubbard County, indicating the individuals, couples, or families whom you feel would be deserving of this honor. 

Nomination Criteria

Please nominate an individual or family, using the criteria below.  Farm Families should:

• Be Minnesota food producers actively involved in agricultural production with one or more agricultural enterprises.  Beyond the usual agricultural endeavors, please also include these production areas for consideration:  potato, vegetable, fruits, berries, aquaculture, agroforestry, and renewable energy supplies.  

OR

• Have made significant short‐term progress and/or innovative contributions with their agricultural enterprises.  For example, consider producers who are relatively new to this country, someone who has developed an innovative method for a particular environmental problem, adopted a rotational grazing system, added alternative or value‐added crops, etc.  

All nominees should also:  

• Have demonstrated a commitment to enhancing and supporting the fields of agriculture and production.
• Have some involvement in their communities and/or related organizations.
• Not have been previously recognized by the Farm Family Program.

Use the Hubbard County Farm Family Nomination Form to make and submit a nomination or contact Tarah Young at: [email protected] to share your nomination and thoughts.

Past Hubbard County Farm Family of the Year Recipients

Crop-specific nutrient needs Find crop-specific nutrient needs for Minnesota, including guidelines for nitrogen, phosphate, potash and other fertilizers, as well as strategies for ensuring your crops get the nutrients they need.

Download the free 2025 Farm Resource Guide This guide includes useful forms and farm business management information including:

• Custom rates: What to charge for planting, etc.
• Average farmland rental rates by county with current projections.
• Flexible rental agreements and how they work. Lease forms for cash rent and share rent arrangements.
• Farmland sales information for all Minnesota counties.
• Charges for custom feeding, commodity storage, leasing buildings and bin rental rates.
• Pasture rental rates, tree timber values.
• Commodity price probabilities for corn, soybeans, alfalfa hay, straw, grass hay, hogs and cattle.
• Corn and soybean yields by county; used to calculate USDA farm bill payments.
• Feedlot rules for manure agreements and easements. Manure spreading lease examples and land application agreement forms.

Midwest Vegetable Production Guide The Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers is a collaboration of land-grant universities from eight states. It provides vegetable production information that is valid in the participating states for the current year. This includes fertility, variety, cultural, and pest management recommendations.

Our lists of recommended trees for climate-ready woodlands can help landowners make informed planting decisions to help whole forest ecosystems adapt.

Follow us on social media 

Become a Master Gardener volunteer 

What do Hubbard County Master Gardeners do? 

What’s wrong with my plant?  Diagnose problems in the yard and garden caused by insects, diseases and nonliving factors.

Plant Elements of Design Plant Selection Tool Create a healthy, long-lived yard and garden by choosing plants with growing needs that match your site conditions.

Read Yard and Garden News. Gardening tips and emerging issues affecting Minnesota.

Listen to the Smart Gardens podcast and radio show.

Watch Hort Shorts on YouTube.

Minnesota is a great place to explore, understand and conserve the natural landscape. Extension education, volunteer and participatory 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 can also study to become a Minnesota Master Naturalist.

Phone apps

• Merlin Bird ID app: Free, instant bird identification of birds you see & hear.  Identify, record & share your findings.
• iNaturalist app: Free, discover nature around you. Identify, record & share your findings.

Woodlands

• Emerald Ash Borer
• Bronze Birch Borer and Twolined Chestnut Borer
• Recommended Trees for Climate-Ready Woodlands
• My Minnesota Woods Newsletter- Find out how to take care of your trees and enjoy Minnesota's beautiful woodlands.
• Natural Resources News Blog- From preserving our wetlands to combating invasive species, read about protecting and enjoying nature.

Aquatic

• Aquatic Invasive Species Detector Program

Hubbard County Ag, Horticulture & Natural Resources Newsletter - December 2025 Issue 

Sign up for the Hubbard County Ag, Horticulture & Natural Resources newsletter for local information on small farms, gardening, and natural resources.

Extension provides education and resources regarding food, health and nutrition for all Minnesotans. Topics include: food safety, health care, local food, mental wellbeing, nutrition and healthy eating, physical activity, school and child care nutrition and events.

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

• Hubbard County Food Shelf: 308 Pleasant Ave S, Park Rapids, MN.  Monday, Wednesday & Friday 10:00a - 3:30p.  Call (218) 732-1282 for information.
• Akeley/Nevis Community Food Shelf-Food Distribution Center: 6 Broadway St W, Akeley, MN. Tuesday, 9:00a - 11:00a, Friday & Saturday, 10:00a - 4:00p. Call (218) 652-2388 for information.
• Laporte Food Shelf: 150 2nd St NE, Laporte, MN.  Tuesday, 5:00p - 6:00p.  Call (218) 224-2417 for information.
• Ruby's Pantry for information.
• Second Harvest Heartland  Call or text 1-866-844-3663 for information.
• North Country Food Bank, Inc. Call 218-399-7356 for information.

Hubbard County is home to a wonderful selection of Farmer's Markets. Shopping at a Farmer's Market is a wonderful way to support local farmers, producers, artisans and ensure you are getting the freshest products possible!

• Park Rapids Farmer's Market: Saturdays 9:00am -1:00pm, May 24th - September 20th, Hwy 34 across from Thielen Motors
• Nevis Farmer's Market: Fridays 4:00pm - 7:00pm, behind Muskie Waters 118 Bunyan Trails Rd
• Menahga Farmer's Market: Fridays 2:00pm - 6:00pm, Menahga Elementary School parking lot
• Hubbard Farmer's Market: Fridays 10:00am - 4:00pm, Dorset Corner Hwy 34 E
• Walker Farmer's Market: Thursdays 9:00am - 2:00pm, June 5 - September 25th, 617 Michigan Ave W 

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

Rusty's Cooking Club is a fun club for preschool-aged children ad their parents, grandparents, caregivers or others who spend time with them. Members of the club receive a monthly recipe packet to create special memories in the kitchen. Each monthly packet includes a menu and snack idea, picture shopping list, a "look and cook" recipe, fun activities and conversation topics. 

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