Extension in Stearns County

U of M Extension, Stearns County
mnext-stearns@umn.edu

Stearns County Service Center
3301 County Road 138
Room 1300
Waite Park, MN 56387

Phone: 320-255-6169

Office hours

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

View all Stearns County contacts

Katie Petty, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development - Stearns County
egger183@umn.edu or 320-200-3136

Dana Adams, Extension Educator, Agriculture Production Systems - Livestock
Stearns, Benton, Morrison and Sherburne counties
adam1744@umn.edu or 320-200-3135 (office) 320-204-2968 (cell)

Quincy Sadowski, Extension Educator - Horticulture and Master Gardener Coordinator
Stearns, Benton, Morrison and Sherburne counties
quincy@umn.edu or 320-200-3137 (office)

Lauren Heers, Extension Educator - Small Farms and Local Foods
Stearns, Benton, Morrison and Sherburne counties
heers010@umn.edu or 763-765-3075 (office), 612-293-0031 (cell)

Jackie Estrem, Extension Educator - Sustainable Ag, Soil Health & Water Quality
Stearns, Benton, Morrison and Sherburne counties
estre060@umn.edu or 763-765-3075 (office)

Sandi Dvorak, Administrative Assistant - Stearns County
kielx004@umn.edu or 320-200-3133

General contact
mnext-stearns@umn.edu or 320-255-6169

Are you looking for reliable, research-based answers to your everyday questions? Then AnswerLine is for you! The AnswerLine staff have been answering consumers questions for over 30 years.

Contact AnswerLine to get information about:

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• Dealing with floods and other household issues.

Call 1-800-854-1678, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - noon and 1 - 4 p.m., or email answers@iastate.edu.

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. 

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What is Minnesota 4-H?

Watch this video to learn more.

Check out what is happening in Stearns County 4-H

Stearns County Calendar of events and deadlines

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
• Contact the Stearns County Extension Office:
  • 320-255-6169 or mnext-stearns@umn.edu
  • Katie Petty, 4-H educator: egger183@umn.edu, 320-200-3136

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.

Stearns County Calendar of all events and deadlines

All Stearns resources

Enrollment

• Stearns New Family Welcome Guide
• Stearns enrollment
• Stearns event participant form for non-4-H member

General resources

• Stearns club members
• Stearns Outstanding Officer, Merit Club and scholarship applications (due Oct 31, 2022)
• Stearns club officers
• Stearns club leaders
• Project information and resources
• Record keeping
• Understanding 4-H policies

Stearns event resources

• Stearns Participant Form: Non-4-H'er event/camp enrollment form
• MN 4-H Medication authorization form and policy
• Event Flyers (such as daycamp, summer camp)

Livestock

• Stearns livestock project guide sheets
• Stearns animal ID information
• Stearns animal ID powerpoint presentation 5.2.22
• State 4-H animal ID information
• Cloverbuds and competition
• Leasing a 4-H animal
• Horse Project
• State 4-H Livestock Quality Assurance Training (LQA) and locations
• Dairy genetics for calves and yearlings form
• Dairy genetics for cows form

Volunteering

• Learn more about volunteering with 4-H
• Apply to become a 4-H volunteer

This section will contain all important Stearns County 4-H updates for the county fair. 

The 2024 Stearns County Fair is scheduled for July 30-August 4 at the Stearns County Fairgrounds in Sauk Centre.

Important Resources

• Stearns County 4-H 2024 Premium Book 
• 2024 All Exhibitors Information - Survival Guide
• Stearns County calendar of all events and deadlines

Show Programs (as they are completed)

• 2024 fair show programs

Auction Program (available Aug 3, 7:00 a.m.)

• 2024 Blue RIbbon Auction Program

Calendar - 2024

• May 15 - Animal IDs due in 4HOnline 
• May 21 - Fair Registration opens at Stearns.FairEntry.com
• June 20 - Fair Registrations due (youth and club)
• June 20 - Foodstand sign-ups due.  All youth are required to work one shift during fair. 
• June 20 - Club volunteer sign ups due (info desk, judges assistants, sweeping, meal)
• July 2 - Public Presentations (aka Demonstration Day) judging (St. Mary's Help of Christians Parish, St. Augusta) (Register in FairEntry)
• July 2 - Performing Arts judging (St. Mary's Help of Christians Parish, St. Augusta) (Register in FairEntry)
• July 18 - Fashion Revue judging, 2-4pm  (Arvig Communications, Melrose) (Register in FairEntry)
• July 18 - Food Revue (FFS) judging, 2-4 pm   (Arvig Communications, Melrose) (Register in FairEntry)
• July 18 - Photography / Video judging, 4-7:30pm   (Arvig Communications, Melrose) (Register in FairEntry)
• July 24-25 - Arts-In Rehearsal (Stearns Fairgrounds) (overnight camp in 4H building)
• July 30 - General/non-livestock Project judging, 3-7pm   ***NOTE NEW START TIME***
• July 31 - Aug. 4 - Stearns 4-H and County Fair, Sauk Centre
• August 4, Sunday - State Fair Meetings:  4-H Stage, Fairgrounds  
  • 2 p.m. Livestock
  • 4 p. m. Static Projects
• August 21-25 - Livestock Encampment at State Fair
• August 25-27 - Stearns Encampment dates at State Fair, general projects

Registration

• Youth Registration will take place through FairEntry.
• Club Registration for Club Projects will be completed through a Google Form (not in FairEntry).
• Info desk/Sweepers/Tues Meal required sign up for clubs is available (coming soon).
• Foodstand required sign up.  Each family is required to work a shift in the foodstand during County Fair. 
• Judges Assistant: email Riley Spoden at: spode044@umn.edu or sign up online here.
• First time registering for county fair? Check out these resources.

Exhibitor letters / information (available in July)

• 2024 All Exhibitors Information - "Survival Guide"
• Additional letter for Dairy Exhibitors
• Additional letter for Poultry Exhibitors
• Horse Project at the Fair

Schedules 

• Schedule of events at the fair (page 5)
• 2024 Survival Guide  (available in July)

Results (available Thursday, August 1, 2024)

• General/Non-Livestock judging results
• Livestock - available only in-person at the 4-H building

Blue Ribbon Auction Materials  

• Auction invitation
• Auction t-shirt sponsor brochure
• Auction flyer
• Letter to youth
• Auction rules

General Resources

• State 4-H project evaluation / judging criteria sheets
• Cloverbud Info Sheet and participation policy
• Helpful hints when preparing for the fair
• 4-H policies
• 4-H animal science projects - MN 4-H animal science page

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

Give today

Katie Petty, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development - Stearns County
egger183@umn.edu or 320-200-3136

General contact
mnext-stearns@umn.edu or 320-255-6169, ext. 0

• Farmland rent and economics (farm land rental rates / lease types and templates)
• Farm Custom Rate Survey
• Transfer and estate planning
• Crop production
• Animals and livestock

Stay informed

Sign up for Stearns County  Extension email newsletters covering agriculture, gardening, small farms and local foods events and educational programming.

Dana Adams, Extension Educator, Agriculture Production Systems - Livestock
Stearns, Benton, Morrison and Sherburne counties
adam1744@umn.edu or 320-200-3135 (office);  320-204-2968 (cell)

Jackie Estrem, Extension Educator, Agriculture Production Systems - Sustainable Ag, Soil Health & Water Quality
Stearns, Benton, Morrison and Sherburne counties
estre060@umn.edu or (763) 765-3075 (office)

Lauren Heers, Extension Educator, Agriculture Production Systems - Small Farms & Local Foods
Stearns, Benton, Morrison and Sherburne counties
heers919@umn.edu or (763) 765-3075 (office); (612) 293-0031 (cell)
 

Horticulture events in Stearns County

• View calendar for events
• View flyers for upcoming programs

Statewide agriculture events

Agriculture conferences, in-person events and online courses are offered all year around the state.

Horticulture News in Stearns County

Gifts support local programming coordinated by Stearns County Master Gardener volunteers.

Make a gift on the University of Minnesota giving page.

Follow us on social media

• Facebook

Stay informed

Sign up for Stearns County  Extension email newsletters covering agriculture, gardening and educational programming.

Find answers online

• What's wrong with my plant?
• What insect is this?
• Become a Master Gardener volunteer
• Master Naturalist volunteers work in your community

Questions relating to canning, freezing, and preserving?

Contact the AnswerLine at 1-800-854-1678, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - noon and 1 - 4 p.m., or email them at answers@iastate.edu.

Quincy Sadowski, Extension Educator - Horticulture and Master Gardeners
Stearns, Benton, Morrison and Sherburne counties
quincy@umn.edu, 320-200-3137 (office) or (320) 433-1070 (cell)

Extension offers a variety of educational programs about nutrition and health that 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.

Questions relating to canning, freezing, and preserving?

Contact the AnswerLine at 1-800-854-1678, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - noon and 1 - 4 p.m., or email them at answers@iastate.edu.

U of M Extension Regional Office - St. Cloud
3601 18th St S, Ste 113
St. Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 203-6050

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 your county and neighboring communities, and how to submit a project idea.