Extension in Pine County

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!

Sarah Odendahl, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
sodendah@umn.edu or 320-591-1654

Follow us on Facebook @pinecomn4h

Follow us on Instagram @pine4h

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

Give today

• Private Pesticide Applicators
• Dairy events
• Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
• Women in Ag Network

Paige VanderWerff, Interim Extension educator, Agriculture
vand1797@umn.edu or 608-228-4314

Katie Hagen, Extension educator, Agriculture
hagen@umn.edu or 320-591-1662 (Pine County) and 763-689-1810 (Isanti County)

Like and follow us on Facebook

Stay connected, like and follow us on Facebook

Become a Master Gardener volunteer

Terry Salmela, Master Gardener program coordinator, Pine County
salme002@umn.edu or 320-591-1653

Pine City Discovery Garden: A collaborative project between Pine County Master Gardeners and the City of Pine City.

What is the Pine City Discovery Garden?

The Pine City Discovery Garden will be a beautiful gateway into Pine City located on the west side of old Highway 61, just south of the Snake River Bridge.  It is being created to invite visitors and residents alike to explore a restful and educational garden space while at the same time strengthening and beautifying the community.  Funding for the project is being sought through grant applications, community businesses and citizens’ donations.

History of the garden

The city property on Hwy 61 just south of the Snake River Bridge has been a city park for about 20 years and was previously referred to as the Rotary Park.  In the summer of 2021, the Pine County Master Gardeners were searching for a location for a memorial honoring the local business woman and Pine County Master Gardener, Cindy Novy, who died of COVID in 2020.   After discussions with the Pine City Park and Recreation director, the idea of revitalizing the old Rotary Park began and has continued to evolve.  A monetary donation by Cindy Novy’s family will help create part of this new city garden.

Early 2022, UMN Extension Educator of landscape design, Julie Weisenhorn, provided a day-long workshop on landscaping principles and design to master gardeners, the Park and Rec Director and key city residents.  Julie continues to consult on the design of the garden.    

On a cool day in May 2022, Pine city crews brought in heavy equipment and removed previous garden plants which had become overgrown and unsightly. 

Several other local entities are contributing to the garden’s development.  Greater Pine Area Endowment awarded the garden a $10,000 Grant designated to a structure on the garden site.  Pine Technical College 2022 staff includes Jacob Mans, a Hinckley native and associate professor of architecture at the University of Minnesota.  Dr. Mans has agreed to design and build a pavilion structure for the park with the help of graduate student and students from Pine Tech and Community College.  Jeff’s Outdoor Services is consulting (and generously donating) part of the infrastructure of the garden (landscaping, path creation and roughing in irrigation, lighting).  Others have made monetary donations (See donor section). 

Check out the “What’s new” to find out the latest news about the Garden. 

The Mission of the Pine City Discovery Garden

• To beautify Pine City by providing a green space oasis for residents and a visual welcoming first impression for visitors 
• To provide a place to educate the public about Zone 3 plants by conducting garden classes and by labelling plants 
• To honor Cindy Novy’s memory

Who are the major partners creating the Pine City Discovery Garden?

Pine County Master Gardeners are involved in the design, demolition, preparation and planting phases and will participate in annual spring and fall clean-up events, in addition to offering classes.

Pine City is providing the ongoing maintenance once the garden is established.

Pine Technical College is providing the expertise and in kind work of Dr. Jacob Mans and his students for the building of the pagoda for the park.

UMN Educator Julie Weisenhorn is consulting on the garden design and taught a landscaping design class to those working on the garden.

Jeff’s Outdoor Services is providing help with the infrastructure of the garden including landscaping, path creation, roughing Extension in for irrigation and lighting.

Donors

• Family of Cindy Novy
• Greater Pine Area Endowment
• Minnesota Energy Resources
• New Horizon Thrift Store
• Colors by Craig
• Jeff's Outdoor Services

Phases of project

Garden Design

• January 2022; class by Julie Weisenhorn on landscaping design
• June 2022; meeting  at 320 Brewery to further refine garden design

Demolition

• May 18, 2022 

Infrastructure

The infrastructure work is pending for late summer, early fall 2022. Jeff’s Outdoor Services will be providing removal of soil imbedded with weeds, grading, add of topsoil, creation of a path, roughing in irrigation sleeves and mulch.    Irrigation will be done after planting of materials spring 2023. Lighting will be finalized when funds are available.

Shelter design and building

UMN architecture associate professor, Jacob Mans, currently on loan to Pine Technical and community College, is designing, harvesting wood and building the structure.   It will be built with the help of his graduate students and students in the construction technology program at Pine Tech.

Plant selection

Groups of master gardeners are researching and will recommend plants from fall 2022 through winter 2023. 

Planting

If funding allows, bulbs will be planted fall 2022 in anticipation of a spring 2023 bloom.  If funding allows, trees/shrubs will be planted fall 2023 or when funds are available.  Other plants will be installed, with funding, 2023 growing season.

Signage

Check back later for updated information.

Fundraising

Check back later for further information.

Fundraising event at 320 Brewery on Thursday, October 6, 2022. Come enjoy a beer and $1 will be donated to the project. During the month of October, when at 320 Brewery, you can designate any amount of dollars to go to the Pine CIty Discovery Garden.

What's new

• Next committee meeting is Wednesday, September 24, 2022 from 6-8 p.m.  
• 320 Brewery Fundraising Event, Thursday, October 6, 2022, time to be announced. 
• Talk with master gardeners and donate if you wish when you see us at the Master Garden Booth at the Pine County Fair August 4-7 in the old Commercial Building.
• Infrastructure activity (grading, soil, path building, irrigation sheath, mulch) will happen late summer/early fall 2022. Check back here for further details.
• Placement of pavilion built by Jacob Mans TBA. Plan for mid to late fall 2022.

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.

Kristin Riley, SNAP-Ed Educator
riley205@umn.edu

• Community Based Solutions to the Opioid Crisis in Rural Minnesota, Team Information
• Historical trauma and cultural healing

Extension's Center for Community Vitality 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:

• Growing Leadership in Local Government
• 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 also can 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.

View all Pine County contacts.

Katie Hagen, Ag Educator, Pine & Isanti County Extension
hagen@umn.edu or 320-591-1662 (Pine County) and 763-689-1810 (Isanti County)

Kate Holland, Pine County 4-H Extension educator, Interim
kharring@umn.edu or 701-371-2907

Roxanne Orvis, Administrative Assistant
rlorvis@umn.edu or 320-591-1651

Terry Salmela, Master Gardener Program Coordinator, Pine County
salme002@umn.edu or 320-591-1653

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.