Extension in Pipestone County

U of M Extension, Pipestone County
mnext-pipestone@umn.edu

We have moved office locations
P.O. Box 307
1016 8th Ave SW
Pipestone, MN  56164

Phone: (507) 825-1190
Fax: (507) 825-6719

Office Hours

Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-noon and 12:45-4:45 p.m.

Staff

Macy Hulstein, administrative support specialist
mhulstei@umn.edu or 507-825-1191

Brandi Schaap, Extension educator, 4-H youth development
bmraatz@umn.edu or 507-825-1194

Melissa Runck, Extension educator, ag production systems
mkrunk@umn.edu or 507-825-1193

Broderick Wright, SNAP-Ed educator
bwright@umn.edu or 507-825-1192

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 Youth Development is a hands-on learning program for Minnesota youth. Pipestone County boasts 6 active clubs plus 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.  There are many ways to participate in 4-H!

Pipestone County Resources for members and families

• 4-H Online 2.0 enrollment guide for families
• 4-H animal science project information
• Volunteer with 4-H (how to apply, trainings and more)
• 4-H Forecast monthly newsletter
• Follow us on Facebook
• Find more info about 4-H Shooting Sports & Wildlife here in Pipestone County

Contact the Extension Office for further information on any of our clubs or to join the Remind group for  reminders from your club.

We are excited to have you join us! 

Step 1) Get in touch with us if you have any 4-H questions - that is why we're here!

Step 2) Find the club you are interested in joining! Pipestone County offers five 4-H clubs. Feel free to contact a club leader or our office with any questions about choosing club! 

Step 3) Create a 4-HOnline account - we use an enrollment software called 4HOnline.  This keeps everything for us - health forms, contact information, projects, and interest areas.  Once you have logged into the account you can enroll in Pipestone County 4-H. If needed, check out these step by step instructions  for using 4HOnline.

County fairs not only make great memories, but they also help 4-H youth grow into successful adults.
Check out the Minnesota 4-H at County Fairs Extension page for more information on County Fairs in Minnesota. 

The 2024 Pipestone County Fair will be Wednesday, July 31 - Saturday, August 3, 2024, at the Pipestone County Fairgrounds in Pipestone. 

2024 Pipestone County 4-H Premium Book
2024 Pipestone County Fair 4-H Schedule

2023 Pipestone County Fair livestock show programs

• Swine
• Horse
• Poultry
• Dairy
• Sheep
• Goat
• Beef
• Rabbit
   

Can't make the show in person? Thanks to the generous support of the Pipestone Area Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee, all livestock shows will be streamed live online by Christensen Broadcasting. 

2024 Minnesota State Fair - Livestock projects encampment: August 21-25
2024 Minnesota State Fair - General projects encampment: August 27-29

Would you consider a donation to help us continue to offer positive youth development experiences to our community? Your contribution of any amount can be directed locally to support our 4-H program. 4-H reaches youth and families in positive ways across the county and around the state of Minnesota.

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

Give today

Brandi Schaap, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
bmraatz@umn.edu or 507-825-1194

Macy Hulstein, Administrative Support Specialist
mhulstei@umn.edu or 507-825-1191

Pipestone County Extension Office
P.O. Box 307
1016 8th Ave SW
Pipestone, MN. 56164

Phone: (507) 825-1190  |  Fax: (507) 825-6719

Follow us on Facebook

Farmland Rental Rates information including sample leases and workshop details.

Additional resources

• Iowa Custom Rate Survey
• Agriculture and Natural Resources Internship Program

Melissa Runck is an Extension Educator in Ag Production Systems; her time is split between Murray and Pipestone Counties. Contact Melissa for assistance with animal science, crop production, horticulture, and ag business questions.

Melissa Runck, Extension Educator, Ag Production Systems
mkrunck@umn.edu or 507-825-1193

Pipestone County Extension Master Gardeners are enthusiastic volunteers committed to providing research-based horticultural information and education to our Pipestone County communities.

Please feel free to contact members with your gardening questions or contact the Pipestone County Extension Office at 507-825-1190.

Gifts support local programming coordinated by Pipestone 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

Pipestone County Master Gardeners

Mary Stoel: 507-825-5921
Rick Melcher: 507-350-9497
Leone Meyer : 507-825-3009
Dorothy Sprink: 507-828-7961
Diane Wussow: 507-820-1280
Roger Elgersma:  507-215-6244
Sharon Jacobson: 503-430-4649

Contact the Pipestone County Extension Office to receive more information about the Master Gardener Program at 507-825-1190.

Extension offers a variety of educational programs about nutrition and health in Pipestone County. These programs 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.

Pipestone County Extension Office is home to UMN Extension SNAP-Ed Educator, Brody Wright. Brody serves both the Pipestone and Lyon County areas, with an office in both locations. 

Use the Real Life, Good Food website to find recipes, cooking tips and physical activity ideas for a healthier life.

Brody Wright is a SNAP-Ed Educator serving the Pipestone and Lyon County areas. Brody splits his time between both offices. 

Brody Wright, SNAP Health & Wellness Coordinator
bwright@umn.edu or 507-8252-1192

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 Pipestone County and neighboring communities, and how to submit a project idea.