
Extension in North St. Louis County - Virginia

Welcome to North St. Louis County
North St. Louis County partners with Extension to deliver practical education and research you can use at home, at work, and in your community.
Contact
[email protected] or 218-749-7120
North St. Louis County Extension office
U of M Extension, North St. Louis County
[email protected]
Government Services Center
201 S 3rd Ave W
Virginia, MN 55792-2668
Phone: 218-749-7120
Fax: 218-749-0698
Office hours
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
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.
North St. Louis County Events
View all events hosted in and near South St. Louis County.
North St. Louis County News
Read all news from South St. Louis County.
Extension Courses and Events
Extension provides in-person and online educational events all over Minnesota. Find one to attend.
Extension-wide News
Read the latest news from all of Extension's programs.
Mary Tennis, Extension office administrator
[email protected] or 218-733-2870
Tyler Erickson, Extension office supervisor
[email protected] or 218-733-2874
Sarah Westerberg, County support staff
[email protected] or (office) 218-471-7598
Cacia Wauters, County support staff
[email protected] or (office) 218-749-7120
Nicole Kudrle, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
[email protected] or (office) 218-749-7120 (cell) 218-404-6596
Troy Salzer, Extension educator
[email protected] or (office) 218-749-7120 (cell) 218-591-0478
Chris Strand, SNAP-Ed educator
[email protected] or (office) 218-471-7234 (cell) 218-966-8019
Freya Thurmer, Extension educator
[email protected] or (office) 218-733-2942
4-H
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?
Give to North St. Louis County 4-H
Gifts support 4-H youth development in North St. Louis County and local programming coordinated by the North St. Louis County 4-H Federation.
4-H events in North St. Louis County
Attend a 4-H event near you.
All 4-H events
Find a 4-H event in Minnesota.
4-H news in North St. Louis County
Stay informed about all that is happening in North St. Louis County 4-H.
Statewide 4-H news
Learn more about what is happening in Minnesota 4-H.
Minnesota 4-H
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 topics 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.
North St. Louis County 4-H
Nicole Kudrle, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
[email protected], 218-749-7120 (office) or 218-404-6596 (cell)
Agriculture
Agriculture events in North St. Louis County
Attend an Agriculture event near you.
Statewide agriculture events
Agriculture conferences, in-person events, and online courses are offered all year around the state.
Agriculture news in North St. Louis County
Find the latest on Extension Agricultural research and news you can use on your farm from local experts.
Statewide news and blogs
- Agricultural Business Management News - Business and financial resources for farmers.
- Beef News - Beef industry featured events, farm safety and animal health.
- Dairy News - Dairy industry featured events, farm safety and animal health.
- Fruit and Vegetable News - Local production and marketing of fruit and vegetable crops in Minnesota.
- Minnesota Crop News - Emerging issues affecting Minnesota row crops and forages.
Follow us on Facebook
Troy Salzer, Extension educator
[email protected] or 218-749-7120 (office) or 218-591-0478 (cell)
Freya Thurmer, Extension educator
[email protected] or 218-733-2942 (office)
Connect with SLC Ag Extension on Facebook
Gardening and horticulture
Connect with Extension
- Like and follow SLC Extension on Facebook.
- Instagram: stlouiscountyextension
Become a Master Gardener volunteer
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.
Gifts support local programming coordinated by North St Louis County Master Gardener volunteers.
Gardening events in North St. Louis County
Find gardening learning opportunities online and near you.
Gardening News in North St. Louis County
Find the latest gardening tips and news you can use in your own back yard from local experts.
Statewide gardening events
Find out about the Master Gardener Volunteer core course or attend other events offered throughout the year.
Yard and Garden News
Gardening tips and emerging issues affecting Minnesota.
Become a Master Gardener
For information on becoming a Master Gardener in St. Louis County, call 218-733-2870 or email the Extension office.
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
Bob Olen, County horticulturist
[email protected] or 218-733-2870
Troy Salzer, Extension educator, Agriculture
[email protected] or 218-749-7120
Horticulture Question Line
218-733-2870, Ext. #2
Connect with Extension
Like and follow SLC Extension on Facebook.
Instagram: stlouiscountyextension
Health and nutrition
Extension offers a variety of educational programs about nutrition and health in North 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.
Health and nutrition news in North St. Louis County
Stay up to date with our health and nutrition news.
Family News
Find information that helps families make informed decisions leading to better health and wellbeing.
Use the Real Life, Good Food Website to find recipes, cooking tips, and physical activity ideas for a healthier life.
Chris Strand, SNAP-Ed educator
[email protected] or 218-471-7234 (office) or 218-966-8019 (cell)
Sustainable communities
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).
Statewide community development events
Join us at an event in your community.
Statewide natural resources events
Find opportunities to learn about the natural environment, how to care for your forest lands, and how you and your family can get out and explore nature around the state and in your own backyard.
Community development news
Find information on community-focused news.
My Minnesota Woods
Find out how to take care of your trees and enjoy Minnesota's beautiful woodlands.
Natural Resources News
From preserving our wetlands to combating invasive species, read about protecting and enjoying nature.
RSDP Happenings
Learn more about community-driven sustainability projects happening across Minnesota.
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 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.