Extension in Meeker County

View all Meeker County contacts.

Emily Hansen, Extension Educator, Horticulture, Wright,  McLeod, and Meeker Counties
hans6005@umn.edu or 612-394-6302

Taylor Herbert, Extension Educator, Crops, Wright, McLeod, and Meeker Counties
therbert@umn.edu or 612-394-5229

Kayla Huhn, Extension Support Staff
mehuhn@umn.edu or 320-693-5275

Karen Johnson, Extension Educator, Livestock, Wright, McLeod, and Meeker Counties
ande9495@umn.edu or 320-693-5275

Cassidy Martin, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
ctmartin@umn.edu 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. 

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

There are several ways to join or re-enroll.

• Join 4-H for the first time or re-enroll
• Enroll as an independent member
• Contact the Meeker County Extension Office at 320-693-5275 or mnext-meeker@umn.edu
• Stop by our office on the Meeker County Fairgrounds, 1230 N Armstrong Ave, Litchfield, MN 55355

Find a 4-H club in Meeker County

Meeker County 4-H club list

Volunteering with Meeker County 4-H

Learn more about volunteering with 4-H.

Save the date for the 2025 Meeker County Fair - July 31 - August 3 at the Meeker County Fairgrounds in Litchfield. 

Premium book

2024 4-H Premium Book

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

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

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. 

October 2024
September 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023

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

• Meeker County 4-H clubs
• Awards and recognition applications and information
• Project record keeping
• Food Revue guide
• Public Presentation guide
• Competitive events: deadlines, consequences, and exemptions table

Cassidy Martin, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
ctmartin@umn.edu or 320-693-5275

Kayla Huhn, Extension Support Staff
mehuhn@umn.edu 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

Contact Emily Hansen with any questions at hans6005@umn.edu or 612-394-6302.

Farmland rent information

Farmland rental rates and information

Corn plot results - McLeod County

2023 McLeod County corn plot results

Additional resources

• Iowa Custom Rate Survey
• Managing a Farm
• Crop Production
• Small Farms
• FINBIN
• USDA NASS Quick Stats

Taylor Herbert, Extension Educator, Crops, Wright, McLeod, and Meeker Counties
therbert@umn.edu or 612-394-5229

Karen Johnson, Extension Educator, Livestock, Wright, McLeod, and Meeker Counties
ande9495@umn.edu or 320-693-5275

Kayla Huhn, Extension Support Staff
mehuhn@umn.edu 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? Use our inquiries form to contact us now!

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 answers@iastate.edu

• Apple scab

Emily Hansen, Extension Educator, Horticulture, Wright,  McLeod, and Meeker Counties
hans6005@umn.edu or 612-394-6302

Kayla Huhn, Extension Support Staff
mehuhn@umn.edu or 320-693-5275

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

Do you have additional questions?

Contact the AnswerLine for questions relating to:

• Safely cooking, canning, and freezing foods.
• Cleaning stains and mildew from homes and clothes.
• Dealing with floods and other household issues

1-800-854-1678 or email them at answers@iastate.edu
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 12 noon and 1 - 4 p.m.

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 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 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.