Extension in St. Louis County (Virginia)

U of M Extension, St. Louis County (Virginia) 
[email protected]

Government Services Center
201 S 3rd Ave W
Virginia, MN 55792-2668

Phone: 218-471-7120

Office hours 

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (by appointment is encouraged)

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. 

Mary Tennis, Extension office administrator
[email protected] or 218-733-2870

Tyler Erickson, Extension office supervisor
[email protected] or 218-733-2874

(Main line) 218-471-7120

Sarah Westerberg, County support staff 
[email protected] or (office) 218-471-7598                                                                                             

Nicole Kudrle, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
[email protected] or (office) 218-471-7120 (cell) 218-404-6596

Bridgett Durfey, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
[email protected] or (office) 218-471-7234

Troy Salzer, Extension educator
[email protected] or (office) 218-471-7120 (cell) 218-591-0478

The 2026 4-H Showcase at the St. Louis County Fair in Chisholm is fast approaching, and we look forward to the August 4 Entry Day. 

Just a reminder, families are required to register their 4-H showcase exhibits in FairEntry at Find Your Fair - FairEntry.com.

Fair registration opens on Monday, June 1.

The fair registration closes on Wednesday, July 15 

Please refer to the links below for more information. 

Please call the Extension Office if you have any questions regarding the fair registration process! 218-749-7120 

We are looking forward to seeing you at the Fair!

• 4-H Showcase Guide for St. Louis County 4-H - https://z.umn.edu/slc-showcase-guide
• Showcase Registration Guide - https://z.umn.edu/slc-4H-Showcase-Registration-Guide
• SLC 4-H Showcase Checklist - https://z.umn.edu/SLC-4H-Showcase-Checklist
• SLC 4-H Club Exhibit Form - https://z.umn.edu/slc-4h-club-exhibit-form 
• St. Louis County 4-H Volunteer Sign Up - https://z.umn.edu/signupgenius
• SLC 4-H Award Nomination Forms - https://z.umn.edu/slc-4h-award-nomination-form
• Livestock Pen Reservation Information - https://z.umn.edu/SLC-4H-Livestock-Pen-Reservation
• Supreme Showmanship Information - https://z.umn.edu/SLC-4H-Supreme-Showmanship 
• St. Louis County Fair Chisholm 4-H Schedule - https://z.umn.edu/slc-4h-showcase-schedule-chisholm

4-H Showcase Shirts, deadline to order is July 13 - https://z.umn.edu/SLC-4H-Showcase-Shirt-Order 

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

Give to St. Louis County (Virginia) 4-H

Gifts support 4-H youth development in St. Louis County (Virginia) and local programming coordinated by the St. Louis County (Virginia) 4-H Federation. 

Give today

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.

St. Louis County 4-H

• Who are the St. Louis County 4-H Clubs- https://z.umn.edu/who_are_SLC_Clubs
• St. Louis County 4-H Club Location Map - https://z.umn.edu/SLC_4-H_Club_Map
• St. Louis County 4-H Brochure - https://z.umn.edu/slc_4H_Brochure
• How to get involved in St. Louis County 4-H- https://z.umn.edu/get_started_in_SLC_4H
• 4-H Project Guide- https://z.umn.edu/slc_project_selection_guide
• 4-H FAQ- https://z.umn.edu/SLC_FAQ

Stay up to date!

There is always a lot going on in St. Louis (Virginia) County 4-H. 

• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Instagram

Nicole Kudrle, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
[email protected], 218-749-7120 (office) or 218-404-6596 (cell)

• UMN Forage and Cover Crop Species Database

Follow us on Facebook

@UMNExtensionSLC

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

• Fertilizer Guidelines for Agronomic Crops in Minnesota

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 St. Louis County (Virginia) Master Gardener volunteers.

Make a gift on the University of Minnesota giving page.

• Lawn & Garden Step-by-Step Soil Sampling Guide

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

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).

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.