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Extension in Sibley County
![4 Holstein calves in straw](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_card_crop/public/Dairy_Farm-224%20-%20Copy%20low%20res.jpg?h=bd36ef23&itok=CscsZMpw)
Welcome to Sibley County
Sibley County partners with Extension to deliver practical education and research you can use at home, at work and in your community.
Please contact us for all your 4-H, agriculture and gardening related questions.
4-H
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Sibley County 4-H Google Calendar
Give to Sibley County 4-H
Gifts support 4-H youth development in Sibley County, and local programming coordinated by the Sibley County 4-H Council.
There are several ways to join or re-enroll in 4-H.
- Join 4-H for the first time or re-enroll
- Enroll as an independent member
- Contact the Sibley County Extension office at 507-237-4100 or mnext-sibley@umn.edu
- Stop by our office at the Sibley County Service Center, 111 8th St, Gaylord, MN 55334
Find a club in Sibley County
Volunteering with Sibley County 4-H
All 4-H events
Find a 4-H event in Minnesota.
4-H news in Sibley County
Stay informed about all that is happening in Sibley County 4-H.
Statewide 4-H news
Learn more about what is happening in Minnesota 4-H.
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!
In 4-H, all youth are welcome!
4-H has something for everyone. 4-H is an out-of-school, hands-on learning program for youth in grades Kindergarten through one year past high school. Youth choose a project that's 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.
What can I do in 4-H?
The sky is the limit! 4-H offers learning experiences in science, photography, arts, agriculture, healthy living, civic engagement and much more. We have one-day events, year-long projects and everything in between. There are many ways to try 4-H.
Want to become a volunteer?
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
Mission of 4-H
The mission of the 4-H Youth Development program is to engage youth, in partnership with adults, in quality learning opportunities that enable them to shape and reach their full potential as active citizens in a global community.
The 4 H’s
- The Head is to signify clearer thinking.
- The Heart is to signify greater loyalty.
- The Hands are to signify larger service.
- The Health is to signify better living.
4-H pledge
“I pledge my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater loyalty, my Hands to larger service, and my Health to better living, for my family, my club, my community, my country, and my world.”
4-H motto
“To make the best better.”
Member resources
- Sibley County 4-H clubs
- Sibley County Bylaws
- Suggested 4-H Exhibits
- Guide to 4-H projects
- Ambassador Application
Judging day resources
County fair forms
- 2023 Sibley County Premium Book
- Livestock Show Attire Suggestions
- Potential Bidder Form (Due June 30)
- Auction Form (Due Friday of the Fair)
- Costume Contest Form
- Lamb Lead Guide
- Lamb Lead Form
This section will contain all important Sibley County 4-H updates for the county fair. A copy of the 2023 premium book can be found below. If you would like to request a printed premium book, you may stop by the extension office and pick it up. We will not be mailing them out.
Important 2024 dates
- February 15: Animal ID deadline (in 4-H Online) for Market Beef and Dairy Steers
- May 15: Animal & Project ID deadline (in 4-H Online)
- June 1: Fair Entry registration opens Family Quick Guide, Family Detailed Guide, Fair Entry Instructions
- June 30: Fair Entry registration deadline and Ribbon Auction Bidder Forms due
- July 15: Demonstration Day, Food Show, Clothing Achievement Day, Public Fashion Revue, Performing Arts, Share the Fun - The Warehouse, Winthrop
- July 20: Sibley County Dog Show - Sibley County Fairgrounds
- July 30: Non-livestock Judging and Pet show
- July 31 - August 4: Sibley County Fair
- Aug. 22 - Sept. 2 - Minnesota State Fair
Registration
4-H registration in Fair Entry for the Sibley County Fair will open on June 1. The deadline to register your 4-H projects is June 30. You should be receiving a Fair Registration step by step instructions in the mail in the beginning of June. ALL 4-H fair registration will be done online. If you are not able to do it online, you will be able to call and make an appointment with our office and we will help you.
Premium book
- 2023 Sibley County Premium Book (2024 premium book will be published by May 15)
- Suggested 4-H exhibits
- Guide to 4-H projects
Ribbon auction
Any 4-Her (no Cloverbuds) may sell a purple, blue or red ribbon from any one of their livestock projects or purple or blue ribbons from a non-livestock project. No animals or projects will be sold, only the ribbon. Last year we updated the forms being used for registering for the ribbon auction.
- Auction Information for 4-H members
- Potential Bidder Form (turn into Extension office by 6/30)
- Potential Bidder Flyer
- Auction Sign Up Form (turn in at the fair by Friday 10 p.m.)
It takes many hands to make a fair!
4-H youth are asked to work at the 4-H Food Stand one or two shifts during the county fair. Youth learn valuable life skills . Adults are needed to support them and to work the grill, fryers, cash register and various other duties. Youth that work a shift in the food stand and sell 4-H fruit will receive a refund for the State Fair registration fee. A sign up will be sent out in July.
4-H parents, volunteers and older members are also needed as judge assistants, exhibit organizers, announcers, clerks, ring stewards and more. Each club is asked to help set up and clean-up duties each year.
Connie Rettmann, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
rettm001@umn.edu or 507-237-4100
Joleen Dose, Extension support staff
jdose@umn.edu or 507-237-4100
Agriculture
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Agriculture events in Sibley County
Attend an agriculture-related event near you.
Statewide agriculture events
Agriculture conferences, in-person events and online courses are offered all year around the state.
Agriculture news in Sibley County
Find the latest on Extension agricultural research and news you can use on your farm from local experts.
Statewide news and blogs
- Agricultural Business Management News - Business and financial resources for farmers.
- Beef News - Beef industry featured events, farm safety and animal health.
- Dairy News - Dairy industry featured events, farm safety and animal health.
- Fruit and Vegetable News - Local production and marketing of fruit and vegetable crops in Minnesota.
- Minnesota Crop News - Emerging issues affecting Minnesota row crops and forages.
To subscribe to receive this newsletter each month.
Farmland rent information
Farmland Rental Rates and Information
- 2023 Sibley County Land Rent update
- 2023 Sibley County Land Rent Survey Results
- 2022 Sibley County Land Rent Survey Results
- 2021 Sibley County Land Rent Survey Results
- 2020 Sibley County Land Rent Survey Results
- 2019 Sibley County Land Rent Survey Results
- 2018 Sibley County Land Rent Survey Results
- 2017 Sibley County Land Rent Survey Results
Additional resources
Samantha Schoenbauer, Extension educator, Agriculture Production Systems
sschoenb@umn.edu or 507-237-4100
Joleen Dose, Extension support staff
jdose@umn.edu or 507-237-4100
Gardening
Follow us on social media
Gifts support local programming coordinated by Sibley County Master Gardener volunteers.
Gardening events in Sibley County
Find gardening learning opportunities online and near you.
Statewide gardening events
Find out about the Master Gardener Volunteer core course or attend other events offered throughout the year.
Gardening news in Sibley County
Find the latest gardening tips and news you can use in your own back yard from local experts.
Yard and Garden News
Gardening tips and emerging issues affecting Minnesota.
Sibley County yard and garden inquiries
- Call the Master Gardeners help line at 612-301-7590
- Contact the Sibley County Extension office at 507-237-4100
- Become a Master Gardener volunteer
- Master Naturalist volunteers work in your community
Do you have additional questions relating to canning, freezing and preserving?
- Contact the Sibley County Extension office at 507-237-4100 or mnext-sibley@umn.edu
- Contact the Answer Line at 1-800-854-1678, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - noon and 1 - 4 p.m. or email them at answers@iastate.edu
- Preparing and Preserving Food Safely
Do you need your pressure canner tested?
- Contact the Sibley County Extension office at 507-237-4100 to schedule an appointment.
Samantha Schoenbauer, Extension educator, Agriculture Production Systems
sschoenb@umn.edu or 507-237-4100
Joleen Dose, Extension support staff
jdose@umn.edu or 507-237-4100
Health and nutrition
Extension offers a variety of educational programs about nutrition and health in Sibley County. These programs are open to families and individuals of all ages who are eligible for benefits through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or who meet Extension’s program income guidelines.
Programs are offered in community settings such as food shelves, schools, community centers and public housing sites. The programs are free to all individuals and families who meet income guidelines, and may be offered in multiple languages, depending on the audience needs and availability of educators.
Health and nutrition events in Sibley County
Learn more about staying healthy and eating well.
Statewide health and nutrition events
Join Extension educators and community partners in events that encourage health, wellbeing and good nutrition.
Health and nutrition news in Sibley County
Stay up to date with our health and nutrition news.
Family News
Find information that helps families make informed decisions leading to better health and wellbeing.
Use the Real Life, Good Food website to find recipes, cooking tips and physical activity ideas for a healthier life.
Mary Krentz, SNAP-Ed educator
krent001@umn.edu or 507-237-4100
Sustainable communities
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:
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 Sibley County and neighboring communities, and how to submit a project idea.
Statewide community development events
Join us at an event in your community.
Statewide natural resources events
Find opportunities to learn about the natural environment, how to care for your forest lands, and how you and your family can get out and explore nature around the state and in your own backyard.
Community development news
Find information on community-focused news.
My Minnesota Woods
Find out how to take care of your trees and enjoy Minnesota's beautiful woodlands.
Natural Resources News
From preserving our wetlands to combating invasive species, read about protecting and enjoying nature.
RSDP Happenings
Learn more about community-driven sustainability projects happening across Minnesota.
Sibley County Extension
U of M Extension - Sibley County
mnext-sibley@umn.edu
Phone: 507-237-4100
Physical address
111 8th St.
Gaylord, MN 55334
Mailing address
PO Box 207
Gaylord, MN 55334
Office hours
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The Sibley County Extension Home Study is designed for educational opportunities for people in Sibley County. Classes and lessons are offered during the school months with other opportunities such as tours and special speakers throughout the year. Lesson topics are chosen by the group to fit into areas of interest. If there is a cost to any of the classes or activities, members receive a discount. Membership for the year is $5 and is open to all!
Please contact the Extension Office if you are interested in participating in any of these classes or becoming a member by phone at 507-237-4100 or email at next-sibley@umn.edu.
View all Sibley County contacts.
Joleen Dose, administrative assistant
jdose@umn.edu or 507-237-4100
Mary Krentz, SNAP-Ed educator
krent001@umn.edu or 507-237-4100
Connie Rettmann, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
rettm001@umn.edu or 507-237-4100
Samantha Schoenbauer, Extension educator, Agriculture Production Systems and Master Gardeners program
sschoenb@umn.edu or 507-237-4100
Sibley County events
View all events hosted in and near Sibley County.
Extension courses and events
Extension provides in-person and online educational events all over Minnesota. Find one to attend.
Sibley County news
Read all news from Sibley County.
Extension wide news
Read the latest news from all of Extension's programs.
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.