Extension in West Otter Tail County

UMN Extension, West Otter Tail County
[email protected]

505 South Court Street Suite 3
Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Phone: 218-998-8760

Office hours

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

View all West Otter Tail County contacts.

Jessica Mohagen, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
[email protected] or 218-998-8766

Rachel Wahlstrom, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
[email protected] or 218-998-8762

Olivia Olson, Extension Educator, Agriculture and Horticulture
[email protected] or 218-998-8303

Brianna Bischof, administrative specialist
[email protected] or 218-998-8761

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
• Request a Paper Enrollment Form
• Volunteer renewal
• See the 4-H clubs in your area

Important Dates:

• Re-enroll in 4-H Online ASAP for the new 2025-2026 4-H Year!
  • Use this tip sheet for assistance.
  • All volunteer leaders and youth officers for the 2025-2026 year must be enrolled in 4-H Online in order to hold their positions.
• Market Beef Identification Deadline: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
  • All 4-H Market Beef projects - including market steers, market heifers, and dairy steers - must be:
    • Owned by the exhibitor
    • Tagged with a Minnesota 4-H RFID ear tag
    • Identified in 4-H Online
• Other Beef Project Deadlines: Friday, May 15, 2026
  • The following projects must be owned, leased, properly tagged or tattooed, and identified in 4-H Online by Friday, May 15, 2026.
    • Breeding heifers
    • Cow/calf pairs
    • Prospect calves (steers and heifers)
• Please note: Cloverbuds do not need to identify beef animals in 4-H Online at this time. Refer to the Cloverbud letter for specific Cloverbud-specific questions and guidance.
• Identification Steps:
  • Review the Beef Information Sheet
  • Request any needed RFID ear tags from the Extension Office ($2.00/tag).
    • Unused tags must be returned within two weeks of the Market Beef ID deadline (March 4, 2026)
    • All market beef animals must have a 4-H tag, including registered animals with breed tattoos.
  • If needed, taggers are available to check out from the WOT Extension Office with a $20.00 deposit, which will be refunded upon return.
  • Enter all animal identification information into 4-H Online by February 17, 2026.
    • Species worksheets are available to help with data entry.
    • If you are unable to enter information online, please bring your completed worksheet to the Extension Office by the end of the business day on February 17 for assistance.
  • Reminder: By February 17, your market beef animal must be owned, tagged with a MN 4-H RFID ear tag, and fully entered into 4-H Online.
• IMPORTANT: Please review each document below in the shared 2026 WOTC Fair Information - Public Folder:
  • WOTC 4-H Market Beef Identification Letter
  • Minnesota 4-H Animal Science Updates for 2026
  • 2026 Beef Information Sheet
  • 2026 Minnesota 4-H Animal Science Identification Requirements
  • 2026 4-H Beef Identification Requirements
  • Animal Identification in 4-H Online
  • Cloverbud Animal Requirements at the fair
  • New State Fair Lineup
  • Deadlines, Consequences, and Exemptions Chart

Animal ID Deadlines for 2026:

• February 17, 2026, for market beef (beef steers, market heifers and dairy steers).
• May 15, 2026, for breeding beef (heifers, cows and prospect calves), dairy, dairy goat, dog, horse, llama-alpaca, meat goat, poultry (pigeons/doves), rabbit, sheep, and swine.

Important Resources/Information:

For Market Beef Animal ID Deadlines: See details above for ID requirements. Please review each document below in the shared 2026 WOTC Fair Information - Public Folder

2026 West Otter Tail Premium Book  

Animal ID Information for 2026

Extension County Fair page - Here you will find several good resources, including information on judging, 4-H exhibitors, county fair 4-H volunteers, and more!

WOTC 4-H Newsletters

Follow us on Social Media:

• Facebook

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

Gifts support 4-H youth development in West Otter Tail County and local programming coordinated by the West Otter Tail County 4-H Council. 

Give today

Jessica Mohagen, Extension educator, 4-H youth development
[email protected] or 218-998-8766

Rachel Wahlstrom, Extension educator, 4-H youth development
[email protected] or 218-998-8762

Mallory Bergem, Interim 4-H Program Assistant
[email protected] 

Brianna Bischof, administrative specialist
[email protected] or 218-998-8761

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September 2024 

Olivia Olson, Extension Educator, Agriculture and Horticulture
[email protected] or 218-998-8303

Become a West Otter Tail County Master Gardener

• Learn about the Master Gardener Program

Weekly Article from WOT Master Gardener:

• Fall Lawn Care and Soil Testing - Sept 1, 2025
• Honeycrisp Apples - Sept 8, 2025
• Fall Raspberries - Sept 15, 2025
• Why are our Lilacs Blooming in September - Sept 29, 2025
• Pollinator Care for Neatniks This Fall - Oct 6, 2025
• Preventing Disease and Pests in Next Year's Garden - Oct 13, 2025
• Brighten the Upcoming Holiday Season with Amaryllis - Oct 21, 2025
• When Houseplants Host Unwanted Guests - Oct 27, 2025
• Preventing Frost Heaving in Perennials and Shrubs - Nov 3, 2025
• Five New Annuals for 2025 - Nov 10, 2025
• Five New Plants from Proven Winners for 2026 - Nov 17, 2025
• Learning From Master Gardener Seed Trials - Nov 24, 2025
• Helping your Shrubs and Evergreen Bounce Back After Heavy Snow - Dec 2, 2025
• Managing Wildlife in the Winter Landscape - Dec 12, 2025
• Favorite Seed Catalogs - Dec 22, 2025
• Ensuring Good Health and Well-Being - Dec 29, 2025
• After the Bloom - Jan 5, 2026
• Holiday Cactus: A Cheerful, Long-Lived Indoor Favorite - Jan 12, 2026
• Tips to Grow Your Own Cut Flower Garden - Jan 19, 2026
• Blooming Branches to Bolster Winter Blues - Jan 26, 2026
• Get FREE Perennials for a Pollinator Garden - Feb 2, 2026
• A Smart Start for the Season Ahead - Feb 9, 2026
• Lighting Your Way to Strong Winter Indoor Plants and Seedlings - Feb 16, 2026
• Growing Your Own Fresh Flavor in Winter - Feb 23, 2026
• Ruth Stout No - Mar 2, 2026
• Minnesota's 2025 Garden Seed Trial Winners with Kitchen Appeal - Mar 9, 2026
• Growing Mixed Borders in Minnesota - Mar 16, 2026
• The Importance of Punctual Pruning - Mar 24, 2026
• Try Ground Cherries in the Garden - Mar 30, 2026
• Preparing for a new vegetable garden - April 7, 2026
• Extending the Growing Season - April 13, 2026
• The Yard that Survived Winter - April 20, 2026
• What do Arbor Day and Morton Salt Have in Common - May 4, 2026
• Gardening with Real-Life Schedules in Mind - May 11, 2026
• Brighten the Shadows: The Ultimate Guide to Shade Container Gardening - May 18, 2026
• How to Remove Rust from Garden Tools - May 26, 2026
• Bright Ideas for Full-Sun Summer Containers - June 1, 2026
• Award-Winning Plants for 2026 - June 8, 2026

Bev Johnson, a WOT Master Gardener and long time weekly writer of a gardening article officially retired from writing her weekly articles in July 2025. 

Stay Connected

• Like and follow us on Facebook

Other Opportunities in Minnesota

• Master Naturalist volunteers work in your community

Gifts support local programming coordinated by West Otter Tail County Master Gardener volunteers.

Make a gift on the University of Minnesota giving page.

Olivia Olson, Extension Educator, Agriculture and Horticulture
[email protected] or 218-998-8303

Diane Greiwe,  Volunteer Manager, Master Gardener Program Landscape Arboretum
[email protected] or 612-625-9864

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)
• Red River Valley Emerging Leadership Program (ELP)

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.