What NDSU Extension Does
NDSU Extension is the outreach arm of North Dakota State University. Its stated mission, on the NDSU Extension overview page, is to empower North Dakotans to improve their lives and communities through science-based education. Local agents serve all 53 counties and the four Native American reservations, and specialists based at NDSU in Fargo or at Research Extension Centers around the state back them up. Extension organizes its work under topics such as 4-H youth development, agriculture, disasters, food and nutrition, gardening and horticulture, family, leadership and civic engagement, and your home.
The service has deep roots. An NDSU Foundation feature says Extension has operated since 1914, with 53 county offices and seven Research Extension Centers that carry university research to farmers, ranchers, parents and young people.
How the County Office Is Funded and Staffed
The same feature explains the money. Counties pay half of each agent's salary and cover operating costs, while NDSU Extension pays the rest of the salary and the full benefits package. That shared funding is why many counties list Extension among their own departments. Staffing varies. The largest and most urban county, Cass, has eight agents. Dunn County lists an Agriculture and Natural Resources and 4-H agent and a Family and Community Wellness and 4-H agent, as its county page shows.
Finding Your Local Office
Every county has its own page on the NDSU Agriculture website with four sections: 4-H, Events, Contact Us and Services. Start at the Extension overview page and use the link to find your local office. Be careful with the address printed in the page footer. It is NDSU Agriculture's Fargo campus address, not your county office, so use the Contact Us page for the local address and phone number.
The statewide Extension Director's Office is in Morrill Hall 311 on the NDSU campus in Fargo and can be reached at 701-231-8832.
Services You Can Borrow or Pick Up
County service pages list practical tools. The Burke County services page lists a hay bale probe, a soil testing probe, soil sample bags, a forage nitrate QuikTest, livestock water quality testing, ND Farm Record Books and seed sample envelopes. The Benson County services page lists a similar set: hay bale probe, soil testing probe, soil sample bags, livestock water quality testing, ND Farm Record Book and certified seed envelopes. The list differs by county, and some county pages do not spell out their services at all, so call the office before you drive over with a water sample.
Water testing matters in a dry year. The NDSU Foundation feature credits water testing during the 2021 drought with helping save an estimated 40,000 or more head of livestock statewide.
4-H Through Extension
Extension runs 4-H in North Dakota. Enrollment goes through 4-HOnline, and the county office is where you find clubs, leaders and fair entry information. 4-H volunteers carry a lot of the load. In Williams County, the NDSU Foundation feature says the volunteer network grew from 15 volunteers in the agent's first year to about 80 in 2022.
For exhibitors, the county office is also the gateway to the state level. The North Dakota State Fair 4-H book says static exhibits must have earned a blue ribbon or higher at a county achievement day or fair supervised by NDSU Extension, and that the county Extension office must enter the exhibit. Youth must be enrolled in a North Dakota 4-H program through 4-HOnline and be ages 8 to 18 before September 1 of the prior year, and Cloverbuds cannot exhibit at the state fair.
Agriculture, Home and Garden Help
Producers use Extension for forage and crop questions, soil and seed sampling, livestock water quality and farm records. Households use it for food safety, nutrition, gardening and home questions, and communities use it for leadership and disaster preparedness. Agents design programs around county needs and citizen input, so if you need a topic covered, tell your agent. Many county offices also post events on their county page.
Soil Conservation Districts and Extension
Extension also touches local conservation work. A state guide on soil conservation districts says state appropriations for district staff salaries are approved by the State Soil Conservation Committee and that NDSU Extension handles the reimbursement.
Practical Tips
- Call before you visit. Hours, staffing and loaner tools differ by county.
- Bring samples in the right container. Ask the office for soil sample bags or seed envelopes first.
- Ask the office which exhibits qualify for the state fair before county achievement day, not after.
- Sign up for 4-HOnline early in the club year.
- Use the county Events page to find field days, workshops and meetings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an Extension office in every county?
NDSU Extension reports 53 county offices, with agents serving all 53 counties and the four reservations. Staffing varies by county, so confirm hours.
Who pays for the county Extension office?
Federal, state, county and grant funds, plus private gifts. Counties pay half of each agent's salary and operating costs; NDSU Extension pays the rest of the salary and the benefits.
Can I borrow a soil probe?
Some county offices list soil testing probes and hay bale probes among their services. Check your county's Services page or call.
Does the office handle county fair entries?
For 4-H, yes. Extension supervises the 4-H division of county fairs and enters state fair static exhibits.
NDSU Extension is the first stop for most practical questions in North Dakota. Find your county page, read the Services list, and call the office with your question before you buy, plant, test or enter.
North Dakota Listings Covered by This Guide
- Agronomy Seed Farm
NDSU seed production farm run by NDSU. The 2026 field day was set for July 13, 5 to 7:30 p.m., open to farmers and the public.
Casselton, ND - Carrington Research Extension Center
Central North Dakota crop and livestock research site run by NDSU. The 2026 field day was set for July 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., open to farmers and the public.
Carrington, ND - Central Grasslands Research Extension Center
Grassland and livestock research site run by NDSU. The 2026 field day was set for July 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., open to farmers and the public.
Streeter, ND - Dickinson Research Extension Center
Western North Dakota research site run by NDSU. The 2026 field day was set for July 9, 4:30 to 9 p.m., open to farmers and the public.
Dickinson, ND - Hettinger Research Extension Center
Southwest North Dakota research site run by NDSU. The 2026 field day was set for July 8, 5 to 8 p.m., open to farmers and the public.
Hettinger, ND - Langdon Research Extension Center
Northeast North Dakota research site run by NDSU. The 2026 field day was set for July 16, 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., open to farmers and the public.
Langdon, ND - NDSU Extension - Adams County Office
NDSU Extension office for Adams County in Hettinger, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-567-2735.
102 Hwy 12 W, Hettinger, ND 58639 | 701-567-2735 Website - NDSU Extension - Barnes County Office
NDSU Extension office for Barnes County in Valley City, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-845-8528.
230 4th St NW, Courthouse Rm 204, Valley City, ND 58072 | 701-845-8528 Website - NDSU Extension - Benson County Office
NDSU Extension office for Benson County in Minnewaukan, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-473-5363.
311 B Ave S, Minnewaukan, ND 58351 | 701-473-5363 Website - NDSU Extension - Bottineau County Office
NDSU Extension office for Bottineau County in Bottineau, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-228-2253.
314 5th St W, Suite 3, Bottineau, ND 58318 | 701-228-2253 Website - NDSU Extension - Bowman County Office
NDSU Extension office for Bowman County in Bowman, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-523-5271.
104 1st St NW, Suite 7, Bowman, ND 58623 | 701-523-5271 Website - NDSU Extension - Burke County Office
NDSU Extension office for Burke County in Bowbells, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-377-2927.
103 Main St S, Bowbells, ND 58721 | 701-377-2927 Website - NDSU Extension - Burleigh County Office
NDSU Extension office for Burleigh County in Bismarck, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-221-6865.
3715 E Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501 | 701-221-6865 Website - NDSU Extension - Cass County Office
NDSU Extension office for Cass County in Fargo, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-241-5700.
1010 2nd Ave S, Fargo, ND 58103 | 701-241-5700 Website - NDSU Extension - Cavalier County Office
NDSU Extension office for Cavalier County in Langdon, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-256-2560.
901 3rd St, Ste 7, Langdon, ND 58249 | 701-256-2560 Website - NDSU Extension - Dickey County Office
NDSU Extension office for Dickey County in Ellendale, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-349-8323.
309 2nd St N, Ellendale, ND 58436 | 701-349-8323 Website - NDSU Extension - Divide County Office
NDSU Extension office for Divide County in Crosby, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-965-6501.
Divide County Courthouse 200 North Main, Crosby, ND 58730 | 701-965-6501 Website - NDSU Extension - Dunn County Office
NDSU Extension office for Dunn County in Manning, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-573-5593.
205 Owens St., Manning, ND 58642 | 701-573-5593 Website - NDSU Extension - Eddy County Office
NDSU Extension office for Eddy County in New Rockford, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-947-2454.
205 3rd St SE, New Rockford, ND 58356 | 701-947-2454 Website - NDSU Extension - Emmons County Office
NDSU Extension office for Emmons County in Linton, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-254-4811.
100 4th St NW, Linton, ND 58552 | 701-254-4811 Website - NDSU Extension - Fort Berthold Office
NDSU Extension office on the Fort Berthold reservation, based at Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College in New Town, offering 4-H, agriculture and community programs.
Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College, 301 College Drive, New Town, ND 58763 Website - NDSU Extension - Foster County Office
NDSU Extension office for Foster County in Carrington, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-652-2581.
1000 5th St N, Carrington, ND 58421 | 701-652-2581 Website - NDSU Extension - Golden Valley-Billings County Office
NDSU Extension office in Beach covering Golden Valley and Billings counties, with 4-H youth programs, crop and livestock help, and home and garden information. Phone 701-872-4332.
53 Central Ave S, Beach, ND 58621 | 701-872-4332 Website - NDSU Extension - Grand Forks County Office
NDSU Extension office for Grand Forks County in Grand Forks, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-780-8229.
151 South 4th St, S302, Grand Forks, ND 58201 | 701-780-8229 Website - NDSU Extension - Grant County Office
NDSU Extension office for Grant County in Carson, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-622-3470.
106 2nd Ave. NE, Carson, ND 58529 | 701-622-3470 Website - NDSU Extension - Griggs County Office
NDSU Extension office for Griggs County in Cooperstown, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-797-3312.
805 Odegard Ave SW, Cooperstown, ND 58425 | 701-797-3312 Website - NDSU Extension - Hettinger County Office
NDSU Extension serves Hettinger County with 4-H youth programs, crop and livestock education, gardening advice and family resources from North Dakota State University. See the county page for contacts.
ND Website - NDSU Extension - Kidder County Office
NDSU Extension office for Kidder County in Steele, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-475-2672.
120 East Broadway, Steele, ND 58482 | 701-475-2672 Website - NDSU Extension - LaMoure County Office
NDSU Extension office for LaMoure County in LaMoure, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-883-6080.
202 4th Ave NE, LaMoure, ND 58458 | 701-883-6080 Website - NDSU Extension - Logan County
Extension office in the Logan County Courthouse in Napoleon delivering 4-H, weed cost-share help, and ag education such as classroom programs for juniors in Napoleon and sophomores in Gackle.
301 Broadway, Napoleon, ND 58561 | 701-754-2504 - NDSU Extension - Logan County Office
NDSU Extension office for Logan County in Napoleon, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-754-2504.
301 Broadway, Napoleon, ND 58561 | 701-754-2504 Website - NDSU Extension - McHenry County
McHenry County department page for NDSU Extension, the local source for 4-H youth programs and agriculture education in the Towner area.
Towner, ND Website - NDSU Extension - McHenry County Office
NDSU Extension office for McHenry County in Towner, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-537-5405.
314 Main St S, #1, Towner, ND 58788 | 701-537-5405 Website - NDSU Extension - McIntosh County Office
NDSU Extension office for McIntosh County in Ashley, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-288-5180.
112 1st St NE, Ashley, ND 58413 | 701-288-5180 Website - NDSU Extension - McKenzie County Office
NDSU Extension office for McKenzie County in Watford City, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-444-3451.
County Building, 205 6th St. NW, Watford City, ND 58854 | 701-444-3451 Website - NDSU Extension - McLean County Office
NDSU Extension office for McLean County in Washburn, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-462-9903.
611 Main Ave, Washburn, ND 58577 | 701-462-9903 Website - NDSU Extension - Mercer County Office
NDSU Extension office for Mercer County in Beulah, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-873-5195.
1400 Highway 49 N, #103, Beulah, ND 58523 | 701-873-5195 Website - NDSU Extension - Morton County Office
NDSU Extension office for Morton County in Mandan, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-667-3340.
211 Collins Ave, Mandan, ND 58554 | 701-667-3340 Website - NDSU Extension - Mountrail County Office
NDSU Extension office for Mountrail County in Stanley, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-628-2835.
8103 61st St NW, PO Box 40, Stanley, ND 58784 | 701-628-2835 Website - NDSU Extension - Nelson County Office
NDSU Extension office for Nelson County in Lakota, ND: local access to North Dakota State University research on crops, livestock, 4-H youth programs, gardening and family topics. Phone 701-247-2521.
210 B Ave W, Ste 101, Lakota, ND 58344 | 701-247-2521 Website
Plus 26 more. Find yours on your county's page in the North Dakota directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.