Extension in Kandiyohi County

U of MN Extension, Kandiyohi County
[email protected]

Health & Human Services Building
2200 23rd St. NE, Suite 2025
Willmar, MN 56201

Phone: 320-231-7890

Office hours

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

View all Kandiyohi County contacts.

Beth Teets, 4-H Extension Educator: 
[email protected], 320-200-4856

Kylee Sherod, 4-H Extension Educator: 
[email protected], 763-299-9982

Olivia Malwitz, Support Staff:
[email protected], 320-231-7890

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. 

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

Find a 4-H club in Kandiyohi County

• Kandiyohi County 4-H Clubs

Volunteering with Kandiyohi County

• Learn more about volunteering with 4-H

4-H is a hands-on learning program for young people grades K-13. Youth choose a project that is interesting to them and explore it with peers and caring adults. 4-H clubs are groups of youth who want to learn together and meet in every part of Minnesota.

Kandiyohi County has many active 4-H clubs. To learn more, contact Kandiyohi County 4-H staff. 

Beth Teets, 4-H Extension educator
[email protected], 320-200-4856

Kylee Sherod, 4-H Extension educator
[email protected], 763-299-9982

Olivia Malwitz, Support Staff:
[email protected], 320-231-7890

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!

Give to Kandiyohi County 4-H

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

Give today

• 2026 Kandiyohi County Premium Book
• McCamus Scholarship
• Project record keeping 

The 2026 Kandiyohi County Fair is scheduled for August 5 - 8 at Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds in Willmar.

Important dates

• June 1: Fair registration opens
• July 1: WOW Day registration deadline
• July 15: Fair registration deadline 
• July 15: WOW Day at the Willmar High school
• July 25: Horse Show at the Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds 
• July 30: Pre-Fair clean-up at the Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds 
• August 1: Dog Show at the Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds 
• August 3: General project judging 
• August 4: Livestock Entry day 
• August 5-8: Kandiyohi County Fair 
• August 7: Blue Ribbon Auction
• August 8: State fair meeting 
• August 26-30: Livestock Encampment @ MN State Fair 
• September 3-5: General Encampment @ MN State Fair 

Registration

Registration for 4-H projects will open on June 1, and the deadline is July 15. 

For assistance with county fair registration, you can refer to the FairEntry family registration guide or contact the Extension office at (320) 231-7890. 

Premium book 

2026 4-H Premium Book 

Learn more about exhibiting for open class at the Kandiyohi County Fair. 

• Farm Information Line - Call 1-800-232-9077 or email [email protected]
• Farmland Rent and Economics
• Private Pesticide Applicators
• Soil Testing Information

• Animals and livestock
• Crop production
• Managing a farm

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

Make a gift on the University of Minnesota giving page.

• Become a Master Gardener volunteer
• Master Naturalist volunteers work in your community

Kylee Sherod, Master Gardener coordinator:
[email protected] or 320-231-7890

Olivia Malwitz, Support Staff:
[email protected], 320-231-7890

Master Gardener Volunteers Answer Line:
320-231-7800 then 5278
Leave your name, number and brief message.

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)
• Vision 2040 Leadership - Willmar Area Vision 2040

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 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 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.