Extension in Olmsted County

View all contacts in Olmsted County

Megan Wilson, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
[email protected] or 507-328-6217

Leah Rognes, Program Associate, 4-H Youth Development
[email protected] or 507-328-6027

Mary Nesberg, Extension educator, Agriculture & Horticulture 
[email protected] or 507-328-6225

Melissa Solem, Administrative Support Staff
[email protected] or 507-328-6214

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.
• Check out the Minnesota 4-H Project Guide

Ready to join or re-enroll?

• Join 4-H or re-enroll

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

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!

Welcome Guides

This series of guides was put together to help you answer questions your family may have and provide information about 4-H in Olmsted County.

Find a 4-H club

• 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!
• View a list of Olmsted County 4-H clubs.

Spotlight: Finding You in 4-H

• This bi-monthly newsletter sent to first-year 4-H'ers will guide you through the 4-H year. If you're new to 4-H and not receiving Spotlight, please let us know!

Deadlines and events

• See our county calendar for office hours, activities, deadlines, and more!

Minnesota 4-H Family Handbook

• This handbook is an introduction to 4-H for families. Contact the office if you'd like a print copy.

Our page dedicated to Olmsted county fair information includes tools for getting started, dates and deadlines, resources, upcoming events, ear tags and animal IDs in 4-H online, Cloverbuds, Fair entry and helpful tips.

Megan Wilson, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
[email protected] or 507-328-6217

Leah Rognes, Program Associate, 4-H Youth Development
[email protected] or 507-328-6027

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

Give today

Complete the program fee reimbursement form to receive reimbursement after attending BLU, TEEL, YELLO, regional 4-H camp, or CWF.  

Contact us if you would like to discuss reimbursement for a different event.

Complete the transportation reimbursement form for regional and/or state-wide events.

Contact us if you would like to discuss transportation reimbursement.

Are you curious about farm or cropland rental rates in Olmsted County? You can find that information and more in the Managing a Farm section of this website. 

• Recertification for Private Pesticide Applicators
• Dairy events
• FSMA on your farm
• Women in Ag Network
• Contacts for managing a farm

Private pesticide applicators must be recertified every 3 years.  Find out about the recertification process and more information on private pesticide applicators. 

You can pick up private pesticide applicator test booklets and manuals at the  Olmsted County Extension office.  

Mary Nesberg, Extension educator, agriculture and horticulture 
[email protected] or 507-328-6225

• Animals and livestock
• Commercial fruit and vegetable growers
• Crop production
• Insects
• Managing a farm
• Natural resources
• Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships
• Yard and garden

Yard and garden inquiries

• Visit the Extension Yard and Garden page
  • Solve a problem - plant diseases, what's wrong with my plant, is this a weed, what insect is this
  • Find plants - flowers, fruit, house plants, native plants, trees and shrubs, vegetables
  • How to's - growing guide, flower pollinators, managing soil and nutrients, using your harvest, water wisely
  • Lawns and landscapes - landscape design, lawn care, flowers for pollinators, find plants
• Ask a Master Gardener - Get research-based answers from local Master Gardener volunteers
• Become a Master Gardener volunteer
• Master Naturalist volunteers work in your community
• Connect with the Olmsted County Extension Office, send us an email or give us a call at 507-328-6214.

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

• Contact the AnswerLine at 1-800-854-1678 or 515-296-5883, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - noon and 1 - 4 p.m. or email them at [email protected]
• Preparing and Preserving Food Safely

Join the Olmsted County Extension Master Gardeners on Saturday, April 18, for a full day focused on gardening and horticulture.

Speakers will share research-based information tailored to Southeast Minnesota gardening conditions, including best practices for home gardens and ways to adapt local landscapes to a changing environment. Master Gardeners will be available throughout the day, with vendors and exhibitors to explore.

Registration opens on January 1, 2026, and closes on April 5, 2026. Visit the Get Growing! event page for full registration details, speakers and the agenda.

Master Gardeners come from all walks of life and share gardening best practices that promote healthy landscapes, healthy foods and healthy lives.

Master Gardener Interns complete a core course taught by University faculty and Extension educators. Upon completing the core course, they contribute their time teaching research-based horticulture practices in their communities through answering lawn and garden questions, teaching classes, speaking to community groups and classrooms, and designing and maintaining project sites within the community.

• Review our 2026 Annual Report to see our impact.
• Learn more about being a Master Gardener.

Join our mailing list and visit the Grow Olmsted: Gardening tips from Master Gardeners Facebook page for information about:

• Public events
• Community classes
• Tips and tricks
• Becoming a Master Gardener volunteer
• and more!

Gifts support local programming coordinated by Olmsted County Master Gardener volunteers. These gifts help to fund projects by providing supplies such as irrigation, seed starting equipment, fencing, mulch, seeds, and garden bed supplies. 

Make a gift to the Olmsted County Master Gardener Group.

The Albert T. Dashow Fund supports Olmsted County Master Gardener programs, including Intern scholarships and other educational opportunities. Interns on their way to becoming Master Gardeners must cover a fee of $340 to access the core training course.  

Donate to the fund to help cover the cost of the core course for an Olmsted County Master Gardener Intern and other educational opportunities for Olmsted County Master Gardeners.

See our office hours, events and more on our calendar. (Need help? Google has useful instructions for subscribing to the calendar.)

Master Gardener volunteer resources:

• Master Gardener database - log hours
• Statewide Master Gardener Website
• OCEMGV Garden Map
• Watch OCEMGV presentations - past monthly meeting speaker presentations
• Supply Purchase request form - request supplies to be purchased for your project
• Reimbursement request form - request reimbursement for items you purchased

Master Gardener volunteer opportunities:

View the volunteer opportunities on Sign Up Genius

The mission of the Olmsted County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer (OCEMGV) program uses research-based horticultural knowledge and practices delivering educational outreach. Our project-based efforts inspire change and promote healthy people, healthy communities, and a healthy planet. Projects are approved based on their level of educational content, community impact, and future project sustainability. Ongoing projects are reviewed yearly, and single-season projects are sunsetted once completed. Information about proposed projects allows us to determine if they fit our mission and helps approved projects get a strong start.

Educational events (one time or short duration presentations, event tabling, and workshops) are accepted on a rolling basis and scheduled as volunteer availability permits. To better accommodate our volunteers, please make your request at least two months in advance.

We are currently accepting requests for project sites, garden consults and short term community partnerships through December 31, 2026 for the 2027 season. 

Submit a request form.

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