Extension in North St. Louis County - Virginia

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
tennism@stlouiscountymn.gov or 218-733-2870

Sarah Westerberg, County support staff
westerbs@umn.edu or (office) 218-471-7598

Cacia Wauters, County support staff
cwauters@umn.edu or (office) 218-749-7120

Nicole Kudrle, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
vande422@umn.edu or (office) 218-749-7120 (cell) 218-404-6596

Troy Salzer, Extension educator
salze003@umn.edu or (office) 218-749-7120 (cell) 218-591-0478

Chris Strand, SNAP-Ed educator
csstrand@umn.edu or (office) 218-471-7234 (cell) 218-966-8019

U of M Extension, North St. Louis County
mnext-stlouis-virginia@umn.edu

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.

The 2024 4-H Showcase at the St. Louis County Fair in Chisholm is fast approaching, and we look forward to the July 30 Entry Day.

• 4-H SHOWCASE EVENT SCHEDULE - ST. LOUIS COUNTY FAIR, CHISHOLM

Just a reminder, families are required to register their 4-H showcase exhibits in FairEntry. (https://fairentry.com/Fair/SignIn/19974).

Important dates to note:

• Fair registration opens on Wednesday, May 15
• Fair registration closes on Monday, July 15
• MN 4-H State Fair Livestock Encampment August 21-25
• SLC MN 4-H State Fair General Encampment August 25-27

Please call the Extension Office at 218-749-7120 if you have any questions regarding the fair registration process! We are looking forward to seeing you at the Fair!

All youth who plan to participate in a local 4-H showcase event during the County Fair will receive a premium check.

• These checks will be available for pick up as follows: 
  • Wednesday, Aug. 7th from 4-6pm at the St. Louis County Fairgrounds in Chisholm
  • Tuesday, August 13 from 11am-5:30pm at the Government Service Center in Virginia
• If those dates and times do not work for you to pick up your check, you can provide us with a self-addressed envelope and stamp during 4-H general project judging on Tuesday, July 30th from 3-6pm at the St. Louis County Fairgrounds so we can mail it to you.

It is extremely important that these checks are picked up and cashed in a timely manner as they do expire 30 days after they are written.

Please refer to the links below for more information.

• 4-H Showcase guide for the St. Louis County Fair in Chisholm 
• SLC 4-H Club Exhibit Form
• 4-H Volunteer Flyer for the St. Louis County Fair in Chisholm
• SLC 4-H Clothing Order Form
• NSL 4-H Competitive Events Table
• NSL 4-H Market Livestock Ribbon Auction Brochure
• The Extension County Fair page
• State Showcase Information

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. 

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
• Get in touch with us at mnext-stlouis-virginia@umn.edu or 218-749-7120

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 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!

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

Who are the SLC 4-H Clubs?

North St. Louis Club Meeting Information

North St. Louis Club Map

Join 4-H Brochure

St. Louis County 4-H Brochure

How to get involved - NSL 4-H

4-H Project Brochure

4-H FAQ

There is always a lot going on in North St. Louis County 4-H. Stay up to date!

• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Instagram:  @northstlouiscounty4-H

Nicole Kudrle, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
vande422@umn.edu, 218-749-7120 (office) or 218-404-6596 (cell)

• Emergency Forages Table | UMN Extension
• UMN Forage and Cover Crop Species Database
• Renovating Fields with Interseeding

Follow us on Facebook

@UMNExtensionSLC

Troy Salzer, Extension educator
salze003@umn.edu or 218-749-7120 (office) or 218-591-0478 (cell)

Connect with SLC Ag Extension on Facebook

• Farm and Field Step-by-step Soil Sampling Guide
• 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 North St Louis County 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
horticulturist@stlouiscountymn.gov 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 SLC Extension on Facebook.
Instagram: stlouiscountyextension

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.

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
csstrand@umn.edu or 218-471-7234 (office) or 218-966-8019 (cell)

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 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.