Extension in South St. Louis County - Duluth

Contact Info

U of M Extension, South St. Louis County
mnext-stlouis-duluth@umn.edu

AP Cook Building
2503 Rice Lake Rd
Duluth, MN 55811

Phone: 218-733-2870

Connect with South St. Louis County Extension

Like and follow SSLC on Facebook.
Instagram: stlouiscountyextension

View all South St. Louis County contacts.

Mary Tennis, Extension office administrator
tennism@stlouiscountymn.gov or  218-733-2870

Nicole Baxton, County Support Staff
baxtonb@stlouiscountymn.gov or 218-733-2871

Stacey DeRoche, County Support Staff
deroches@stlouiscountymn.gov or 218-733-2877

Robert Olen, County Horticulturist
218-733-2870, ext. #2

Tyler Erickson, YIA Program Coordinator
ericksont@stlouiscountymn.gov or 218-733-2870

Elise Rigney, YIA Program Coordinator
rigneye@stlouiscountymn.gov or 218-733-2899

Tim Caines, 4-H Extension educator
ctcaines@umn.edu or 218-733-2973

Katie Ecklund, 4-H Extension educator
kolean@umn.edu or 218-733-2876

Kate Preiner, 4-H Extension educator
henry250@umn.edu or 218-733-2870

Linda Erdahl, Nutrition educator
lerdahl@umn.edu or 218-733-2896

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. 

The Depot Returns

Connect with South St. Louis County 4-H

• Like and follow 4-H on Facebook.
• Instagram: southstlouiscounty4h

Give to South St. Louis County 4-H

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

Give today

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

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!

• About the 4-H Incredible Exchange
• How to apply

Tim Caines, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
ctcaines@umn.edu or 218-733-2873

Katie Ecklund, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
kolean@umn.edu or 218-733-2876

Kate Preiner, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
henry250@umn.edu or 218-733-2870

Connect with South St. Louis County 4-H

Like and follow us on Facebook.
Instagram: southstlouiscounty4h

About YIA

The Youth in Action mission is to maintain and support youth development and community programs and projects. We work to promote public service values to better engage young adults with their communities. Our goal is to bring positive change to St. Louis County through partnerships with students, schools, community organizations and businesses and our in-school advisors.  

Connect with YIA

• Like and follow YIA on Facebook.
• Instagram: youthinactionmn

2021 Make a Difference Conference

Our annual Make a Difference Conference:  Mind, Body & Soul will be virtual this year!
Three evenings-Feb. 21, 22 and 23 from 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. 
We are working hard to make this a valuable, virtual event for young people!
The conference is free and open to all youth in grades 7th - 12th throughout St. Louis County.  Prior involvement with YIA is not required.

The conference will be hosted on Zoom.  We will send participants a link for each session once they register for the conference.

The pre-registration deadline is Jan. 31 to receive your conference swag bag which includes this year's YIA conference T-shirt!

Youth in Action (YIA) is a St. Louis County program that promotes leadership by getting students involved in school and community projects that make a positive impact.     

Youth in Action opportunities are available in Iron Range and Duluth area schools for students in grades 9-12. It is free to join and everybody is welcome!  To participate in YIA, please contact a YIA program coordinator or your high school's YIA advisor.

Elise Rigney, YIA program coordinator
rigneye@stlouiscountymn.gov or 218-733-2899

Tyler Erickson, YIA program coordinator
ericksont@stlouiscountymn.gov or 218-733-2874

Like and follow YIA on Facebook.
Instagram: youthinactionmn

Connect with Extension

Like and follow SSLC Extension on Facebook.
Instagram: stlouiscountyextension

Have questions about gardening?

Horticulture Question Line

Call the Extension office Horticulture Question Line at 218-733-2870, ext. #2
Leave a message for our horticulture and agriculture educators and Extension Master Gardener volunteers.

Tune in for Gardening Advice

Listen to KDAL 610 radio on Tuesday mornings from 8-9 a.m. to hear Bob Olen of Extension talk about what you need to know to make your garden successful. Listeners are encouraged to call in with their questions.

Great Gardening on PBS

For more gardening advice tune in to Great Gardening on PBS North to watch Bob Olen and Tom Kasper answer viewer questions live and share their garden expertise. The show schedule and viewing information can be viewed on the WDSE website.

Become a Master Gardener

For information on becoming a Master Gardener in St. Louis County, call 218-733-2870 or email the Extension office deroches@stlouiscountymn.gov.

Become a Master Gardener volunteer

Master Gardener events and programs

Gardening at the Library
Download or view the Extension Master Gardener list of gardening learning sessions taking place at the Duluth Public Library. This year's sessions are virtual until further notice.

Resources for Master Gardeners

• Report your hours
• Read the latest newsletter
• Program support and toolkits
• Access to EMG templates, resource library, and promotional resources

Variety Lists

• Vegetable and Fruit variety lists

Publications

• Seed Saving Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
• Fall Clean-up
• Jumping Worms
• Small Space and Container Gardening
• Tree and Shrub Handout
• Minnesota Lawn Care Calendar
• Veggies for Containers

Soil Testing

• University of Minnesota Soil Test Lab

Bob Olen, County horticulturist
horticulturist@stlouiscountymn.gov or 218-733-2870 

Stacey DeRoche, Extension support staff, Extension Master Gardener program 
mcku0006@umn.edu or 218-733-2870

Troy Salzer, Extension educator, Agriculture
salze003@umn.edu or 218-749-7120

Horticulture Question Line
218-733-2870, Ext. #2

Connect with Extension

Like and follow SSLC Extension on Facebook.
Instagram: stlouiscountyextension

Troy Salzer, Extension educator, Agriculture
salze003@umn.edu or 218-749-7120

Bob Olen, county horticulturist
horticulturist@stlouiscountymn.gov or 218-733-2870 

Horticulture Question Line
218-733-2870, Ext. #2

Extension offers a variety of educational programs about nutrition and health in South St. Louis 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.

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

Linda Erdahl, Extension educator, Health and Nutrition
lerdahl@umn.edu or 218-733-2896

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 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.