Extension in Renville County

U of M Extension, Renville County

Renville County Government Center
105 S. 5th St. Ste 124H
Olivia, MN 56277

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 320-523-3713
Fax: 320-523-3886

Office hours

• Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Friday, by appointment only

View all Renville County contacts.

Ashle Benson, Extension educator
[email protected] or 320-523-3707

Meagan Peterson, Extension administrative assistant
[email protected] or 320-523-3713

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

Give to Renville County 4-H

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

Give today

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 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

Ashle Benson, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development 
[email protected] or 320-523-3707.

Meagan Peterson, Extension administrative support staff
[email protected] or 320-523-3709. 

• Record-keeping for youth
• Record-keeping guide for parents and volunteers
• Cloverbud Record
• Youth Participation Summary
• Youth Project Record - Grades 3-6
• Youth Project Record-Grades 7-12
• 4-H project record - planning calendar
• Record Keeping Tips

The 2026 Renville County Fair is August 12-14 on the Renville County Fairgrounds, Bird Island. We start with pre-fair 4-H project entry on August 9.

Information for the 2026 will be post as it is updated.

Registration and important dates/deadlines

• Registration will open after May 15, families will receive an email when it opens.
• Registration deadline is Monday, July 20.
  • FairEntry online registrations must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 20.
  • Submitting a paper entry form, needs to be turned into the extension office or postmarked by Monday, July 20
• August 9- 4-H  General Project Entry
• August 11 - Performing Arts/Creative Writing/General Demonstration Judging Day
• July 16 - Clothing/Fashion Revue/Quilting Judging Day
• July 16 - Public Performance/Revue for Performing Arts, Fashion Revue and Share-the-Fun

• Minnesota 4-H at County Fairs

  2026 Renville County Fair 4-H Schedule:

  August 12-14, 2026

•  Sunday, August 9:

• 2:00-6:00 PM                4-H General Project Entry

• Tuesday, August 11:

• 3:00-6:30 PM                Livestock Entry 

• 4:30 PM                Livestock Interviews - will break from 6:45-7:00 for a barn meeting. 

• 6:30 PM                ALL ENTRIES IN PLACE IN LIVESTOCK BARNS

• 7:15 PM                Weigh-in of Market Lambs - Sheep Barn

• 7:30 PM                LQA&E (YQCA) training deadline 

• 7:45 PM                Weigh-in of all market and breeding hogs - Swine Barn

• Wednesday, August 12:

• 8:30 AM                Swine Show - Large Show Arena 

• 10:00 AM                Dairy Show - Large Show Arena

• 11:00 AM                Beef Show - Large Show Arena (the Beef show will begin immediately after the Dairy show)

• 5:00 PM                Sheep Show - Large Show Arena

• Thursday, August 13:

• 8:00 AM                Horse Show - Horse Arena

• 9:00 AM                Livestock Demonstrations - Large Show Arena

• 11:00 AM                 Poultry Show - Small Show Arena

• 1:00 PM                Rabbit Show - Small Show Arena

• 4:00-8:00 PM                All the milk you can drink - Food Stand

• 4:00 PM                Goat Show - Large Show Arena

• 6:00 PM                Ag Olympics - Large Show Arena

• 9:00 PM                State Fair Trips must be claimed 

• Friday, August 14:

•  9:00              4-H Horse Fun Show - Horse Arena

• 11:00                BBQ Contest - Outside the Show Arena

• 12 PM                  STATE FAIR REGISTRATIONS DUE! - 4-H Building

• 2:30 PM                All 4-H member picture & Champion Picture – Large Show Arena

• 4:00 PM                Cloverbud Pet Show – Small Show Arena

• 5:30 PM                Jerry Sullivan Memorial Premier Showmanship Contest - Large Show Arena                                Farm Family of the Year, Seniors & Volunteer Recognition

• 8:30 PM                Livestock Released

• 10:00 PM                General Projects Released

   

2026 Premium book

• 2026 Premium Book

Encampment

Renville County 4-H exhibitors participating in the General Encampment at the 2026 Minnesota State Fair will attend Encampment 3, scheduled for September 3–5, 2026.

Pre-Fair Dates

General information dates for set up, judging, and project release. .

• July 29- Conference Judging; please let us know if you need a different day by calling the Extension Office or emailing [email protected] 
• July 30- Barn set up
• August 6-4-H Building set up
• August 11- Livestock check in
• August 14- General Project Release 10p
• August 14- Livestock Release 10p

Supporting Renville County 4-H at the Fair

Fairgrounds Clean Up

Pre-fair: Please join the Fair board on Thursday evenings, starting at 6:00 PM in July to help get the fairgrounds ready. July 30 will be dedicated to Livestock Barn set up, and August 6 will be dedicated to the 4-H building & Food stand set up. 

Post fair clean up will be immediately following project release on Friday, August 14..

Please bring your brooms and shovels. Ice cream treats will be provided to those that help at Pre-fair clean up.

Wristbands

All 4-Hers that are exhibiting at the county fair will be required to wear wristbands during the fair. This will be the entrance ticket for youth 12 and up, and a way for other fairgoers to identify 4-Hers!  Wristbands will be available on Sunday and on Tuesday for pick up. You will only be given 1 wristband, if you lose it you will have to pay for a second one. 

Adults are able to purchase them for $14.00. This will get you into the fair all 3 days. Regular price is $15.00 for a pass. Wristbands will be available for purchase at the 4-H building on Sunday, August 9, 2026 during General Project Judging and on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 during Livestock Entry.

4-H Food Stand & ADA Malt Stand

The 4-H Food Stand and ADA Malt Stand at the Renville County Fair are one of our fundraisers. The money generated fuels our 4-H programs throughout the year, helps us reach new members, and allows youth to learn and lead all year long. All 4-H members and guardians are encouraged to volunteer for four hours in the food or malt stand. 

To sign up: Scan the QR code to the right or visit: Volunteer Signup

To support youth participation at the State Fair, each State Fair–eligible 4-H youth will receive their most expensive program fee paid. 

NEW! In addition, youth have the opportunity to earn extra financial assistance support by completing a full shift in the food stand or malt stand. For each shift worked, youth will receive $50, up to a maximum of $100 per youth. 

We hope you will encourage your friends and family to support 4-H by eating at the food stand when they visit the fair!

4-H Food Stand Punch Cards

Families will be able to purchase $25, $50, $75, or $100 punch cards to be used in the 4-H Food Stand throughout the fair. Punch cards will be available for purchase in the 4-H Extension Office beginning July 14, and will continue to be available for purchase throughout the Renville County Fair from the 4-H Fair Office during the Fair. For your convenience, any punch cards you purchase will be kept in the 4-H Food Stand during the fair. If you have questions regarding this, please contact the 4-H Office at 320-523-3713.

There is no cash refund on 4-H Food Stand Punch Cards after the fair is over – you may however use that remaining money to purchase leftover food items after the Food Stand closes.

Volunteer at the Fair

It takes a lot of helping hands to make a successful, smooth fair. We have many easy, one-time fair volunteer opportunities for parents and youth and larger commitments for those who love the fair! 

Fairgrounds information

• Fairgrounds Map
• Volunteer Signup

Other Resources

• FairEntry Family Guide

Master Gardener volunteers educate the public about horticulture using current research-based resources. This educational effort is designed to enhance quality of life and promote good stewardship of the environment.

Master Gardener volunteers complete many hours of volunteer work each year, providing a valuable in-kind contribution to Minnesota.

Gifts support local programming coordinated by Renville 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

• July 2026 Garden Gatherings
• June 2026 Garden Gatherings
• May 2026 Garden Gatherings
• April 2026 Garden Gatherings
• March 2026 Garden Gatherings
• February 2026 Garden Gatherings

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)

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 Renville County and neighboring communities, and how to submit a project idea.