Extension in Mower County

U of M Extension, Mower County

mnext-mower@umn.edu

1105 1/2 8th Avenue NE
Austin, MN 55912

Phone: 507-437-9552

Office hours

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

View all Mower County contacts.

Adam Stevermer, 4-H Extension Educator
stev0421@umn.edu or 507-438-2394

Jessica Vasquez, 4-H Extension Educator 
jvazquez@umn.edu or 507-437-9552

Thelma Garcia, SNAP-Ed Educator
tgarcia@umn.edu or 507-437-9552

Cindy Stahl, Administrative Support Staff
stahl225@umn.edu or 507-437-9552

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. 

4-H is an out-of-school, hands-on learning program for youth grades K-13. Youth choose a project that’s interesting to them and explore it with peers and caring adults. 4-H clubs are groups of youth who want to learn together and meet in every part of Minnesota. All youth are welcome in 4-H.

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.”

Find a club in Mower County that fits you best.

Frequently asked questions.

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
• Get in touch with us 

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!

Find a club in Mower County that fits you best.

Each club is a little different and it's important to find the right fit for your family. You don't have to choose the club nearest to your house. Some families choose to drive a little farther to join a club with people they already know, a club with other youth the same age, or just by what fits best in your schedule. Visit a few and see how you feel!

We have put together a series of guides to help answer questions your family may have and provide information about 4-H in Mower County.  

Here you will find relevant information for Mower County 4-H Members. Many of the documents listed below are specific to Mower County 4-H and may be periodically updated. If you are a 4-H volunteer or member and see a need to update any of the documents below, please reach out to the Extension Office!

• Advisory Board Agenda & Minutes - The Advisory Board is a group of youth and adults that meet to discuss program direction, events, activities, and issues that will help build and strengthen the Mower County 4-H program.
• Award Applications
• Event Scholarship - The Mower County 4-H Advisory Board has designated funds to help cover the cost of attending 4-H events and State Showcases (State Fair, State Horse Show, State Dog Show, State Shoot). 
• Family Handbook - A resource to help families become familiar with 4-H, its mission, structure, policies and programs.
• Project Guide - This guide gives a brief overview of the different project areas available to our members.
• Record Applications - Record keeping encourages youth to reflect on their experience so they can share it with others and learn.
• Scholarship - The Mower County Advisory Board provides educational scholarships to 4-H’ers in the Mower County 4-H program who have excelled in achievement, leadership, and citizenship in the 4-H program and their communities. Winners will receive up to a $500 scholarship.

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.

Check out our Program Guide that explains some of the Mower County 4-H programs.

Mower County 4-H programming and success relies heavily on volunteers!  There are 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

  • Learn about specific opportunities available in Mower County 4-H

• 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 biweekly newsletter goes out to all enrolled 4-H members via email every other Tuesday. To receive this newsletter via email, please enroll for Mower County 4-H through 4-H Online.

July 2, 2025
June 4, 2024
May 21, 2024
May 7



 

Fair information and registration

• 2024 Fair book - The fair book is a resource to help you determine which classes you need to enter your exhibit/animal in. It also has the different rules and guidelines, as well as schedules and other information for the fair.
• 2024 4-H Fair schedule
• Register for the Fair in FairEntry
• FairEntry help guide
• Mower County Fair Guide
• Exhibit Ideas Book - Ideas and examples for exhibits at the county fair.
• Livestock Ribbon Auction - The Ribbon Auction is not a sale of the animals themselves; it is a purchase of the ribbon by the buyer. Proceeds from the 4-H Auction benefit the entire county 4-H program - not just youth showing livestock. Money raised goes towards leadership trip scholarships, project kits and workshops, camp scholarships, and general 4-H programming.
  • Ribbon Auction Rules

General Exhibit project forms

• Demonstrations - Helps the office prepare for any equipment or technology needs you may have. Fill out by July 11th.
• Fashion Revue - Helps the office create a script that will be read off during the Fashion Revue. Fill out by July 11th. 
• Performing Arts - Helps the office prepare for any equipment or technology needs you may have. Fill out by July 11th. 

Cloverbuds

• Guide to Cloverbud Projects

Food stand and Dairy Bar

• Handbook
• Sign Up

State fair

• Minnesota State Fair 4-H Information can be found at the 4-H at the Minnesota State Fair page 

Adam Stevermer, 4-H Extension Educator

stev0421@umn.edu or 507-437-2394

Jessica Vasquez, 4-H Extension Educator

jvazquez@umn.edu or 507-437-9550

Cindy Stahl, Administrative Support Staff 

stahl225@umn.edu or 507-437-9552                                                                                                                                                                             

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

Give today

Master Gardener volunteers educate the public about a variety of horticulture subjects using current research-based resources. This educational effort is designed to enhance quality of life and promote good stewardship of the environment.

Master Gardener volunteers are trained by University of Minnesota horticulture educators and complete many hours of volunteer work each year, providing a valuable in-kind contribution to Minnesota.

• Don Smith, adsmithmd.smith@gmail.com
• Clara Cummings, cjcummings47@outlook.com
• Therese Manggaard, tmanggaard@gmail.com

Gifts support local programming coordinated by Mower 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
• U of M Yard and Garden Resources - Use this site to find information on a variety of horticultural topics from the University of Minnesota.
• U of M Diagnostic Tools - Diagnose plant and garden problems.
• Want to become a Master Gardener in Mower County? Contact our office for more information. 

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.

Thelma Garcia, SNAP-Ed Educator
tgarcia@umn.edu or 507-437-9552

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