Extension in Meeker County

View all Meeker County contacts.

Taylor Herbert, Extension Educator, Crops, Wright, McLeod, and Meeker counties
[email protected] or 612-394-5229

Kayla Huhn, Extension Support Staff
[email protected] or 320-693-5275

Karen Johnson, Extension Educator, Livestock, Wright, McLeod, and Meeker counties
[email protected] or 320-693-5275

Emily Lindenfelser, Extension Educator, Horticulture, Wright,  McLeod, and Meeker counties
[email protected] or 612-394-6302

Cassidy Martin, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
[email protected] or 320-693-5275

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

Find a 4-H club in Meeker County

Meeker County 4-H club list (Google Doc)

Volunteering with Meeker County 4-H

Learn more about volunteering with 4-H.

Follow us on social media @ Meeker4H

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

Check out what is happening in Meeker County 4-H

Meeker County 4-H Google Calendar

New to 4-H? Learn more about 4-H in Meeker County.

Meeker County 4-H new member information

Give to Meeker County 4-H

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

Give today

Learn what is going on in Meeker County 4-H. The Meeker County 4-H Messenger is a monthly newsletter that is emailed to 4-H families and volunteers to keep everyone informed of important events, reminders, and deadlines. 

June 2026 (Google Doc)
May 2026 (Google Doc)
April 2026 (Google Doc)
March 2026 (Google Doc)
February 2026 (Google Doc)
January 2026 (Google Doc)
December 2025 (Google Doc)
November 2025 (Google Doc)
October 2025 (Google Doc)
September 2025 (Google Doc)
July 2025 (Google Doc)

New to 4-H in Meeker County? Feel free to check out previous newsletters to learn more about a typical year in 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 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 the 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 2026 Meeker County Fair is scheduled for July 30 - August 2 at the Meeker County Fairgrounds in Litchfield. 

Important dates

• May 18: Registration opens and the premium book is released
• July 1: Registration deadline
• July 9: Presentation day
• July 13: Dog obedience & rally show
• July 15: Dog agility & showmanship show
• July 20: Fairgrounds cleanup night
• July 26: Horse qualifying show
• July 28: General project judging
• July 29: Livestock entry day
• July 30 - August 2: Meeker County Fair
• August 5: State fair meeting

Registration

Registration for 4-H projects will open on May 18, and the deadline is July 1.

For assistance with county fair registration, you can refer to the FairEntry family registration guide (Google Doc) or contact the Extension office. 

Premium book

2026 4-H Premium Book (Google Doc)

Learn more about exhibiting for open class at the Meeker County Fair.  

• Meeker County 4-H clubs (Google Doc)
• Awards and recognition applications and information
• Project record keeping
• Food Revue handbook (Google Doc)
• Meeker County 4-H Public Presentation guide (Google Doc)
• Minnesota 4-H Public Presentation resource guide (Google Doc)
• Competitive events deadlines, consequences, and exemptions table (Google Doc)
• Meeker County 4-H Constitution and Bylaws (Google Doc)

Cassidy Martin, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
[email protected] or 320-693-5275

Kayla Huhn, Extension Support Staff
[email protected] or 320-693-5275

Follow us on social media

Meeker/McLeod Facebook page

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 Meeker County is recognized as the Farm Families of the Year.  

We are currently seeking nominations for Meeker 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. 

Questions

Karen Johnson, Extension Educator, Livestock, Wright, McLeod, and Meeker Counties
[email protected] or 320-693-5275

Farmland rent information

Farmland rental rates and information

Additional resources

• Managing a Farm
• Crop Production
• Small Farms
• FINBIN
• USDA NASS Quick Stats

Taylor Herbert, Extension Educator, Crops, Wright, McLeod, and Meeker counties
[email protected] or 612-394-5229

Karen Johnson, Extension Educator, Livestock, Wright, McLeod, and Meeker counties
[email protected] or 320-693-5275

Kayla Huhn, Extension Support Staff
[email protected] or 320-693-5275

Follow us on social media

McLeod and Meeker County Master Gardeners Facebook

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

Make a gift on the University of Minnesota giving page.

Meeker County yard and garden inquiries

Have a yard or garden related question? Contact us to find answers to your inquiries. 

Become a Master Gardener volunteer

Master Naturalist volunteers work in your community

Do you have additional questions relating to canning, freezing, and preserving?

Contact the AnswerLine at 1-800-854-1678, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 12 noon and 1 - 4 p.m. or email them at [email protected]

Emily Lindenfelser, Extension Educator, Horticulture, Wright,  McLeod, and Meeker counties
[email protected] or 612-394-6302

Kayla Huhn, Extension Support Staff
[email protected] or 320-693-5275

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:

• Meeker in Motion
• 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 Meeker County and neighboring communities, and how to submit a project idea.