Extension in Martin County

U of M Extension, Martin County
[email protected]

1300 N Bixby Rd.
Fairmont, MN 56031

Phone: 507-235-3341 or after-hours Google Voice 507-399-8080

Office hours

Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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. 

View all Martin County contacts.

Laura Pilarski, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Martin County
[email protected] or 507-235-3341

Patti Mathews, Extension Administrative Assistant
[email protected] or 507-235-3341

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

In 4-H, all youth are welcome!

Welcome to Martin County 4-H! We are excited to have you join us for hands-on learning.

• Welcome to Martin County 4-H
• Family Handbook
• 4-H Project Guide
• 4-H Year Timeline
• Martin County Club Guide 

• Cloverbud Parent Fact Sheet

• Learn more about volunteering with 4-H

• Apply to become a 4-H volunteer

• Check out the Martin County 4-H Calendar for current events

• Martin County Club Guide

• 2025-2026 4-H Federation Meeting Schedule

• Minnesota 4-H Awards
• Senior Livestock Achievement
• Intermediate Livestock Achievement
• Junior Livestock Achievement
• Fab 5 (Grades 8-13)
• Fab 5 (Grades 3-7)

• Martin County Scholarship (Closes May 1)
• MN Farm Bureau (Due September 30th)
• James W. Tracy Scholarship (Due February)
• Minnesota Livestock Breeders (Due March)
• Compeer Financial (Open January 1 - March 15)
• MN State Fair Scholarship (Due August 1)
• MLBA 4-H Purple Ribbon Auction Scholarship (Open June 1 - August 1)
• Agriculture Future of America (AFA)
• Andrea Ruesch Regional Scholarship
• Other Minnesota 4-H Scholarship information

Important Martin County Fair dates 

• Wednesday, Feb. 18, Market Beef ID deadline, Market Beef ID info letter 
• Saturday, May 9, LQA&E Training, Register with this online form.
• Friday. May 15, Animal ID deadline, Animal ID info letter
• Monday, June 1, Fair Entry   opens
• Enter Presentation Day projects on FairEntry by July 1
• Thursday, May 14, Presentation Day Workshop, Register with this online form.
• Sunday, July 12, Presentation Day is at the Southern Minnesota Ed Campus in Fairmont
• Wednesday, July 15, is FairEntry deadline for all other fair entries
• Monday, Aug. 10, Deadline to submit proof of LQA&E or YQCA training to the 4-H Office for livestock exhibitors in grades 6+ who would like to go to the 2026 State Fair 
• Thursday, August 13, blue ribbon auction sign-up deadline - to be opened later

Food stand sign-ups

• Sign up to work the 2026 Martin County Food Stand - sign-ups to be opened later
  • Tuesday
  • Wednesday
  • Thursday
  • Friday
  • Saturday
  • Sunday                                                                    

Martin County 4-H will be at the 2026 Minnesota State Fair! 

4-H at the Minnesota State Fair

Give to Martin County 4-H

Laura Pilarski, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Martin County
[email protected] or 507-235-3341

Patti Mathews, Extension Administrative Assistant
[email protected] or 507-235-3341

Looking for funding to assist with registration costs for any county or nationally sponsored 4-H event? Submit a Bring it Back Form to request assistance! 

Learn more and apply here (Form 1 to be submitted BEFORE attending - Google Form)

Learn more and apply here (Form 2 to be submitted AFTER attending - Goggle Form)

Club Leader Verification Form (Google Form)

Learn more and apply here (Printable form)

• Farmland Rental Rates
• Private Pesticide Applicator Information
• Southwest Minnesota county farmland prices
• 2024 Farm Resource Guide

Gifts support local programming coordinated by Martin 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
• Ask a Master Gardener online
• Ask a Master Gardener by phone - 612-301-7590
• We have Master Gardeners in Martin County who would be happy to answer your questions. Please call the Martin County Extension Office at 507-238-3341, and we can direct you to someone local.

• Extension provides health, nutrition and community education across Minnesota. 

• COMET helps anyone start conversations around mental health.
• SuperShelf transforms local food shelves into dignified shopping experiences.
• Real Life, Good Food offers recipes, cooking tips and healthy activities.
• Rusty’s Cooking Club for preschool-aged children and their caregivers.

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 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.

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 Martin County and neighboring communities, and how to submit a project idea.