What University of Minnesota Extension Does
University of Minnesota Extension describes its mission as "making a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota," according to its What We Do page. It works in all 87 counties, reports more than 35,000 trained volunteers, and says 65 percent of its faculty and staff live and work in Greater Minnesota. If you have a question about a crop, a calf, a tree, a tomato or a youth project, this is the office Minnesota families are usually pointed to first.
Program Areas
Extension sorts its work into these areas:
- 4-H and Youth: clubs, projects, fair exhibits and leadership programs.
- Agriculture: animals and livestock (beef, dairy, horse, poultry, swine), crops (corn, soybean, small grains, forages, sugarbeet, cover crops, weed management), and farm operations such as business management, agritourism, farm safety and small farms.
- Garden and Home: Master Gardener volunteers and home horticulture help.
- Natural Resources: forestry, wildlife, conservation, weather and climate.
- Food: preparing, selling and distributing food, plus nutrition.
- Community: community development, family and wellness.
Extension says its agriculture research and education supports 64,000 farms, and its Institute for Ag Professionals connects agricultural professionals with current crop research.
Finding Your County Office
The Extension site has a local offices tool and a staff directory, both linked from the What We Do page. Extension also runs a project called Minnesota 87, which gives each county its own page of photos, stories and local numbers. The Todd County page, for example, reports three county Extension employees, 148 youth engaged in 4-H, and local programs such as Breakfast on the Farm and an equine education team in Long Prairie. County pages list staff and programs but not always an office address, so use the local offices tool before you drive anywhere.
The general Extension phone line is 612-624-1222. The site also offers an Ask a Question form for topic questions.
4-H in Minnesota
Extension reports about 58,000 youth in 4-H, and says 97 percent of them report gaining knowledge useful for their future. The program runs through county Extension offices and local clubs. Here are the basics for families, drawn from Extension's 4-H animal ID page:
- Animals must be identified in 4-H Online by May 15 if you plan to exhibit at a 4-H event.
- Market beef (steers, market heifers and dairy steers) had an earlier 2026 deadline of February 17.
- Animals must be owned only by the 4-H member or their family. Co-owned animals must be leased and follow lease guidelines, and market animals cannot be leased, except prospect calves.
- Families cannot ID animals as a group. Each animal goes under one member's profile.
- Cloverbuds may show an identified animal, but still need official ID such as a tag or tattoo.
- Use official ear tags and follow Board of Animal Health requirements, and check your county's ID message for local deadlines.
If an animal shows as a market animal at the county fair, it must also show as a market animal at the state fair, per the same page.
Extension at the Minnesota State Fair
Extension is a regular presence at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. Its 2026 fair preview listed 4-H Project Talks in the 4-H Building, Master Gardener volunteers answering plant questions in the Agriculture-Horticulture Building, Tree Care Advisors in the Eco Experience Building, and a DNR Building trivia game run by Master Naturalists. The 4-H barns hosted beef, dairy, meat goat, swine, rabbit, poultry and sheep shows over the first weekend, and the Purple Ribbon Livestock Auction. The 2027 fair is set for August 26 through Labor Day, September 6, per the State Fair 4-H page.
Help for Producers and Gardeners
- Producers: Extension's topic pages cover beef, dairy, swine, poultry, corn, soybean, forages, nutrient management and on-farm food safety.
- Gardeners: Extension reports 3,498 Master Gardener volunteers gave 208,400 hours in a recent year.
- Landowners: natural resources volunteers contributed 107,237 hours restoring public lands and managing invasive species.
- Youth: the state 4-H office, the Center for 4-H Youth Development, can be reached at 612-624-2116, per the State Fair 4-H page.
Practical Tips
- Call or visit your county office before buying a 4-H animal, and ask for the ID message with local deadlines.
- Put May 15 on the calendar for 4-H Online animal ID, and February 17 if you are showing a market beef.
- Browse the Minnesota 87 page for your county to see what your local team is working on.
- For the State Fair, the 4-H premium book is typically available to view and print in early June.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many counties does Extension serve?
All 87 Minnesota counties, per Extension's own description.
When is the 4-H animal ID deadline?
May 15 for most species, including breeding beef, dairy, sheep, swine, meat goats, rabbits and poultry. Market beef had a February 17 deadline in 2026.
Can I lease a market animal for 4-H?
No. Market animals cannot be leased, except prospect calves. Breeding animals can be leased.
Where do I register for State Fair 4-H?
Through the online system at users.mnstatefair.org, per the State Fair 4-H page. Ask your 4-H leader or county Extension educator for local steps.
Minnesota Listings Covered by This Guide
- Olmsted County 4-H Officer Training
Training for 2026-2027 Olmsted County 4-H club officers, 6-8 p.m., with a volunteer training held the same evening. Held each year; the most recent date was November 12, 2026.
Rochester, MN Official event details - Pope County 4-H Dairy Clinic
Dairy skills clinic for Pope County 4-H members at the University of Minnesota Morris West Central Research and Outreach Center. Held each year; the most recent date was November 15, 2026.
Morris, MN Official event details - Farmland Rental Rates Workshop, Stearns County Service Center
University of Minnesota Extension ag business session on farmland rental rates for central Minnesota landowners and operators, held Friday afternoon at the Stearns County Service Center in Waite Park.
3301 County Road 138, Waite Park, MN 56387 | 320-255-6169 | Organizer: University of Minnesota Extension Official event details - Dakota County 4-H Outdoor Education Summit
A 4-H outdoor education summit for Dakota County youth held November 21, 2026 at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve.
MN | 651-480-7700 | Organizer: Dakota County 4-H Official event details - Pipestone County 4-H Outdoor Education Summit
Saturday outdoor education summit for 4-H youth at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, running 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Held each year; the most recent date was November 21, 2026.
- 4-H Regional Officer Training, Owatonna
Club officers from Steele and neighboring counties train for their roles at Owatonna Middle School on a Saturday morning. The 2026 session runs 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Owatonna, MN | 507-444-7685 | Organizer: Steele County 4-H Official event details - Benton County 4-H Leader and Volunteer Appreciation Banquet
Benton County 4-H honors its leaders and adult volunteers at a banquet on November 22, 2026 at 6 p.m. at Jack & Jim's.
MN | 320-968-5077 | Organizer: Benton County 4-H Official event details - Douglas County 4-H PJ Party
A pajama party for Douglas County 4-H families on December 4, 2026, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic School in Alexandria.
Alexandria, MN | 320-762-3890 | Organizer: Douglas County 4-H Official event details - Roseau County 4-H Ambassador Meeting
Roseau County 4-H Ambassadors, the older-youth leadership group, meet Sunday afternoon in the Courthouse boardroom to plan service and promotion projects.
606 5th Ave SW, Roseau, MN 56751 | 218-463-1052 | Organizer: Roseau County 4-H Official event details - Rice County 4-H Cloverbud Saturday
Hands-on morning program for the youngest Rice County 4-H members, held in the Rice County 4-H Building at the fairgrounds in Faribault.
1900 Fairgrounds Drive, Faribault, MN 55021 | 507-332-6109 | Organizer: Rice County 4-H Official event details - Rice County 4-H Project Quiz Bowl Kick-Off
Rice County 4-H members start preparing for the project quiz bowl competition at an evening kick-off in the Rice County 4-H Building, Faribault.
1900 Fairgrounds Drive, Faribault, MN 55021 | 507-332-6109 | Organizer: Rice County 4-H Official event details - Benton County 4-H Ambassador Retreat
A one-day retreat for 4-H Ambassadors on January 16, 2027, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church in Foley. The fee is $20 and registration closes January 13.
Foley, MN | 320-968-5077 | Organizer: Benton County 4-H Official event details - Martin County 4-H Banquet
Annual Martin County 4-H recognition banquet, scheduled for Sunday, January 24, 2027, at the Fairmont Knights of Columbus hall.
Fairmont, MN Official event details - Anoka County 4-H Clover Dash 5K
A 4-H fundraising 5K and 2-mile walk scheduled for April 24, 2027 at Bunker Hills Regional Park, with a silent auction and a virtual option.
550 Bunker Lake Blvd NW, Andover, MN 55304 | 763-324-3495 | Organizer: Anoka County 4-H Official event details - Murray County 4-H LQA&E Training
Livestock Quality Assurance and Ethics training (Levels I and II) for county livestock exhibitors, 6-9 p.m. at the Murray County 4-H Building in Slayton.
3048 Broadway Ave, Slayton, MN 56172 Official event details - Southwest Regional 4-H Livestock Judging Contest
Regional 4-H livestock judging contest for southwest Minnesota youth, next set for June 16, 2027, at the Murray County Fairgrounds; the 2026 contest was June 17.
- Cow-Calf Days in Fosston
Beef cow-calf producer meeting at Ventures Bar & Grill in Fosston, one stop on the 2026 University of Minnesota Cow-Calf Days tour. Admission was $10 per person, including a meal and materials.
Fosston, MN | Organizer: University of Minnesota Official event details - Cow-Calf Days in Warroad
Beef cow-calf producer meeting at Warroad Riverplace in Warroad, one stop on the 2026 University of Minnesota Cow-Calf Days tour. Admission was $10 per person, including a meal and materials.
Warroad, MN | Organizer: University of Minnesota Official event details - Cow-Calf Days in Iron
Beef cow-calf producer meeting at Clinton Town Hall in Iron, one stop on the 2026 University of Minnesota Cow-Calf Days tour. Admission was $10 per person, including a meal and materials.
Iron, MN | Organizer: University of Minnesota Official event details - Cow-Calf Days in Mora
Beef cow-calf producer meeting at Grand Event Center in Mora, one stop on the 2026 University of Minnesota Cow-Calf Days tour. Admission was $10 per person, including a meal and materials.
Mora, MN | Organizer: University of Minnesota Official event details - Cow-Calf Days in Starbuck
Beef cow-calf producer meeting at Clear Springs Cattle Co. in Starbuck, one stop on the 2026 University of Minnesota Cow-Calf Days tour. Admission was $10 per person, including a meal and materials.
Starbuck, MN | Organizer: University of Minnesota Official event details - Cow-Calf Days in Pipestone
Beef cow-calf producer meeting at MN West CC in Pipestone, one stop on the 2026 University of Minnesota Cow-Calf Days tour. Admission was $10 per person, including a meal and materials.
Pipestone, MN | Organizer: University of Minnesota Official event details - Cow-Calf Days in Oronoco
Beef cow-calf producer meeting at Rossman Farms in Oronoco, one stop on the 2026 University of Minnesota Cow-Calf Days tour. Admission was $10 per person, including a meal and materials.
Oronoco, MN | Organizer: University of Minnesota Official event details - Cow-Calf Days in Le Sueur
Beef cow-calf producer meeting at Ag Partners HQ in Le Sueur, one stop on the 2026 University of Minnesota Cow-Calf Days tour. Admission was $10 per person, including a meal and materials.
Le Sueur, MN | Organizer: University of Minnesota Official event details - University on the Prairie
Held each year; the most recent camp-style program ran June 30 to July 1, 2026 at the Southwest Research and Outreach Center near Lamberton. Cost was $50 with 4-H online registration.
Lamberton, MN | 507-831-4022 | Organizer: Cottonwood County 4-H Official event details - Martin County 4-H Presentation Day
County 4-H presentation day held before the county fair; entries are made on FairEntry. Held each year; the most recent date was July 12, 2026.
Fairmont, MN Official event details - Stearns County 4-H Public Presentations and Performing Arts Judging
Stearns 4-H members give public presentations (Demonstration Day) and are judged in performing arts at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud ahead of the county fair. Held each year; the most recent date was July 13, 2026.
St. Cloud, MN | Organizer: Stearns County 4-H Official event details - Becker County 4-H Cat and Pet Show
Held each year; the most recent show was Tuesday, July 14, 2026. 4-H members show their cats and other pets in the meeting room of a Detroit Lakes nursing home.
1040 Lincoln Ave, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 | 218-846-7328 | Organizer: Becker County 4-H Official event details - Stearns County 4-H Fashion Revue, Food Revue and Photography Judging
Fashion Revue, Food Revue and photography/video judging for Stearns County 4-H take place at Arvig Communications in Melrose. Held each year; the most recent date was July 16, 2026.
Melrose, MN | Organizer: Stearns County 4-H Official event details - Yellow Medicine County 4-H Showcase
The 4-H Showcase displays youth project work during the county fair at the Yellow Medicine County Fairgrounds in Canby. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 23-25, 2026.
Canby, MN | 320-669-4471 | Organizer: Yellow Medicine County 4-H Official event details - Douglas County 4-H Dog Show
Held each year ahead of the county fair; the most recent show was August 7, 2026 at 9 a.m., followed by the 4-H horse show the next morning. Part of the Douglas County 4-H fair calendar.
Alexandria, MN | 320-762-3890 | Organizer: Douglas County 4-H Official event details - Hubbard County 4-H Dog Show
Held each year at the Hubbard County Fairgrounds in Park Rapids; the most recent date was Aug. 1, 2026, separate from the main fair week. Run by the Hubbard County 4-H program.
201 Fair Ave, Park Rapids, MN 56470 | Organizer: Hubbard County 4-H Official event details - Douglas County 4-H Horse Show
Held each year before the Douglas County Fair; the most recent horse show was Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 8 a.m. Youth enrolled in the 4-H horse project compete in county classes.
Alexandria, MN | 320-762-3890 | Organizer: Douglas County 4-H Official event details - Minnesota 4-H State Horse Show
The largest youth horse show in Minnesota, a statewide show and knowledge contest for qualifying 4-H Horse Program members. Admission is free. The most recent show ran Sept. 18-21, 2026.
1265 Snelling Avenue N, Saint Paul, MN 55108 | Organizer: Minnesota 4-H Horse PDC Official event details - Northeast 4-H Livestock Show and State Dog Show
Held each year at the State Fairgrounds; the most recent State Dog Show and Northeast Livestock Show ran September 26-27, 2026 for Carlton County and other northeast 4-H members.
MN | 218-384-3511 | Organizer: Minnesota 4-H Official event details - 4-H Shooting Sports and Wildlife Leader Certification
Two-day certification for 4-H shooting sports and wildlife volunteer leaders, October 10-11, 2026, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days in East Bethel.
East Bethel, MN | 651-243-1324 | Organizer: Chisago County 4-H Official event details - Pine County 4-H Recognition Night
Evening recognition program for Pine County 4-H members and volunteers at the Grand Cinema in Hinckley. Held each year; the most recent date was October 10, 2026, at 6 p.m.
Hinckley, MN Official event details - Northwest Minnesota 4-H Leadership Workshop
Saturday morning 4-H leadership workshop at the University of Minnesota Crookston serving Polk, Pennington, Norman and Red Lake county youth. Held each year; the most recent date was October 24, 2026.
Crookston, MN Official event details - Brown County 4-H Awards Celebration
Held each year on the last Sunday of October; the most recent celebration fell on October 25, 2026. Brown County recognizes 4-H members and volunteers, with nominations due October 1.
300 2nd Ave SW, Sleepy Eye, MN 56085 | 507-794-7993 | Organizer: Brown County 4-H Official event details - Pope County 4-H FLOP Ambassadors Fall Festival
Fall festival run by the Pope County 4-H ambassadors at the Glenwood Welcome Center. Held each year; the most recent date was Sunday, November 1, 2026, 6-8 p.m.
Glenwood, MN Official event details
Plus 94 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Minnesota directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.