Extension in Nicollet County

View all Nicollet County contacts.

Kelsey Brandt, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
[email protected] or 507-934-7831

Becky Wills, Administrative Support

[email protected] or 507-934-7828

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

Volunteer with 4-H in Nicollet County

• Apply or renew as a volunteer here

4-H is the largest youth development program in the state, serving over 40,000 young people every year. We offer hands-on learning opportunities across Nicollet County and the state for youth in kindergarten through one year post-high school. 4-H helps youth build confidence, curiosity, creativity, and life skills like leadership and resiliency - preparing them to thrive today and tomorrow.

Watch: What is Minnesota 4-H?

Cloverbuds (Grades K-2)

4-H members in grades K-2 are called Cloverbuds. This special program focuses on non-competitive discovery and learning.

Learn more: Minnesota 4-H Cloverbuds

4-H Clubs

4-H Clubs meet regularly for learning, friendship, and fun. Members work on projects, serve the community and develop leadership skills. You can choose a club near you or join with friends.

View Nicollet County 4-H Clubs

Watch: What is a Minnesota 4-H Club?

4-H Projects

Members select projects to explore that interest them - from science and photography to agriculture, healthy living, and civic engagement. Projects focus on experiential learning, following 4-H’s motto: “Learn by Doing”

Watch: What is a Minnesota 4-H Project?

University of Minnesota Extension

Learn more about UMN Extension, our history, and how we support youth and communities across Minnesota.

Learn more: Extension History

Learn more: What we do

Stay Connected with Nicollet County 4-H

We make it easy for families to stay informed about events, deadlines, and opportunities throughout the year. Use the resources below to stay up to date and involved in 4-H.

Monthly 4-H Updates

All enrolled 4-H members receive two email updates at the beginning of each month:

• A Minnesota 4-H statewide update
• A Nicollet County 4-H local update with important reminders, events, and opportunities

To receive these emails, families must be enrolled in Nicollet County 4-H through 4HOnline.

View the current Nicollet County 4-H monthly update

Nicollet County 4-H Google Calendar

The Nicollet County 4-H Google Calendar includes information about club meetings, upcoming events and deadlines, and Extension office hours.

View the Nicollet County 4-H Google Calendar

Follow Nicollet County 4-H on Social Media

Stay connected with program updates, event highlights, photos, and important reminders.

Visit the Nicollet County 4-H Facebook Page

Follow Nicollet County 4-H on Instagram

Nicollet 4-H Awards

Each year, the Nicollet County 4-H Federation honors individuals, clubs, organizations, alumni, and friends who make outstanding contributions to the Nicollet County 4-H program during the program year (Oct 1.-Sept 31.).   

• Learn more about the selection process and past winners. 
• Submit this nomination form for any of the following awards: Outstanding Youth Leader, Outstanding Adult Leader, 4-H Alumni Award, Friend of 4-H Award

Edward H. Schultz Scholarships

Ed Schultz was a firm believer in the 4-H program. Prior to his death on March 29, 1998, Ed Schultz created a fund to provide scholarships to graduating seniors in Le Sueur and Nicollet counties interested in continuing education in the area of agriculture. Selection is based on an applicant’s community service, involvement in the 4-H program at the personal, club and county levels, and strength of their character. 

In 2026, three scholarships ($1000, $1000, $500) will be awarded to Nicollet County 4-H members graduating from high school. 

• Applications due May 1
• Overview and application

Nicollet 4-H Achievement Scholarships

Each year, Nicollet County 4-H awards two scholarships to graduating seniors—one for 4-H achievement and one for livestock achievement—thanks to support from the Tri-County Fair Board and Nicollet County 4-H.

In 2026, two scholarships ($500 each) will be awarded to Nicollet County 4-H members graduating from high school. 

• Applications due May 1
• Overview and application

The Nicollet County Fair is held each year in early August at the Nicollet County Fairgrounds in St. Peter. The fair provides 4-H members with a place to showcase exhibits about their project learning and share what they have learned with friends, judges, and community members.

2026 County Fair Related Dates

• February 17 - Market Beef ID Deadline

• May 15 - All other Animal ID Deadline

• June 1- Premium book released

• June 15 - Fair Entry Registration Opens

• July 15 - Fair Entry Registration Deadline

• July 28 - Performing Arts & Fashion Revue, select general project judging (clothing, quilting, cookie & cake  decorating, food review) Held at Johnson Hall

• August 11 - General Project Judging

• August 12-16 - Nicollet County Fair

• August 17 - Tri County Fair & Auction

Fair Registration

4-H fair exhibits must be registered in FairEntry for the Nicollet County Fair. Registration will open in mid-June.  The deadline to register your 4-H exhibits is mid-July.

Rules & Guidelines Premium Book

Animal Science Premium Book

General Projects Premium Book

It takes many hands to make a fair

4-H Food Stand 4-H youth are asked to work at the 4-H Food Stand one or two shifts during the county fair. This is our largest and only annual fundraiser. Youth learn valuable life skills. Adults are needed to support them and to work the grill, fryers, cash register, and various other duties.

4-H parents and older members are also needed as judge assistants, ring stewards, and more.  And, clubs are assigned to set-up or clean-up duties each year. 

• Food stand volunteer sign up: z.umn.edu/2026NicolletFoodstand

• County fair volunteer sign up: z.umn.edu/NicolletVolunteers

Quick links

• Fair Entry user guide
• Constructed Clothing & Fashion Revue (bring with you to judging)
• Purchased Clothing & Fashion Revue (bring with you to judging)
• Upcycled Clothing & Fashion Revue (bring with you to judging)
• Food Revue handbook
• Lamb Lead information and reference

Animal Projects, Training and ID

Annual Livestock Meeting

Planning to show animals in 4-H or just getting started? Join our Annual Livestock Meeting (typically held in January) to connect with other families, learn about project requirements, and plan for the year.  For updates, contact the Extension office and check the county monthly update.

Animal ID & Leasing

Animal ID is the 4-H system for identifying and tracking animals in the 4-H animal science project areas that will exhibit at the fair. Ear tags and taggers for beef, dairy, goats, swine, and sheep are provided free of charge by the Nicollet 4-H Federation each year. Please make arrangements through the Nicollet County Extension office. 

Visit the Minnesota 4-H Animal ID Webpage for deadlines and details.

We want you to be able to learn about animals even if you don't own one. You can lease an animal. There are several farmers in Nicollet County who are leasing animals to 4-H members, or perhaps you know someone with animals. The 4-H member must complete the 4-H animal identification process, just like owned animals.

Visit the Minnesota 4-H Leasing an Animal webpage for more information.

If you miss a deadline, contact your 4-H educator immediately to determine your options. The Nicollet County Competitive Deadlines document explains the 4-H state and county individual deadlines and the consequences related to different aspects of those deadlines.

Livestock Quality Assurance Training

Youth in grades 6+ exhibiting livestock at the Minnesota State Fair must complete Livestock Quality Assurance (LQA) certification. Nicollet County offers in-person training each year as well as an online option.

Visit the MN 4-H LQA webpage for more information.

Horse Project

The Nicollet County 4-H Horse Project is a countywide group for members who love to learn about horses. Any member from any club can be part of the horse project. The Horse Project typically meets quarterly. The Horse Project manages horse project learning, clinics, summer practices, and county fair fun. 

Dog Project

The Nicollet County 4-H Dog Project is a joint project with Blue Earth County 4-H for members who love to learn about dogs. Any member from any club can be part of the dog project. Members in the dog project can participate in project bowls, the multi-county dog show, and summer training.

Nicollet County 4-H encourages all members to complete record books each year. Record keeping helps youth reflect on their experiences, track their growth, and build skills useful for future college, job, and scholarship applications.

A 4-H record is a written summary of your 4-H participation and project work. Members may complete:

Participation Summary

Project Record (for as many projects as they choose)

Cloverbud Record

Record Book Evaluation

Deadline: October 1

Record books are reviewed by volunteers and returned with feedback. First-time participants receive a record book plaque, and members earn medallions each year they submit records. Top-scoring records are recognized at the fall celebration.

Contact the Extension Office if you need copies of forms or a 4-H record book cover.

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

Give today

Kelsey Brandt, Extension Educator , 4-H Youth Development
[email protected] or 507-933-0385

The Nicollet County 4-H Federation is the youth leadership and decision-making group for the Nicollet County 4-H program. It includes all 4-H members in grades 6 and up and screened adult volunteers.

Youth officers (grades 7+) lead the Federation with support from adult advisors and Extension staff. Together, they guide the direction of Nicollet County 4-H by planning events, setting goals, supporting clubs and projects, and managing program funds.

Federation meetings are held 4-5 times per year and all 4-H families are welcome to attend. Clubs are encouraged to send youth representatives. Meeting dates and locations are shared through the monthly update and the Nicollet County 4-H Google Calendar.

Each year, committees are formed to help carry out the work of the Federation. These committees include:

• Horse Project Development
• Food Stand
• Budget & Finance
• Other committees as needed such as awards, special events, etc.

For more details, including bylaws, minutes and approved budgets, please contact the Extension Office.

Nicollet County's agriculture includes both crop and livestock production. The county is home to fruit and vegetable growers and small farms.

• Recertification for Private Pesticide Applicators
• Dairy events
• FSMA on your farm
• Women in Ag Network

Gifts support local programming coordinated by Nicollet 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

Contact the Nicollet County Extension office

[email protected] or 507-934-7828

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:

• Connecting Nicollet County
• 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.