Extension in Sibley County

View all Sibley County contacts.

Joleen Dose, administrative assistant
[email protected] or 507-237-4100

Mary Krentz, SNAP-Ed educator
[email protected] or 507-237-4100

Connie Rettmann, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
[email protected] or 507-237-4100

Samantha (Schoenbauer) Yetzer, Extension educator, Agriculture Production Systems and Master Gardeners program
[email protected] or 507-237-4100

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. 

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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. 

Give today

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 [email protected]
• Stop by our office at the Sibley County Service Center, 111 8th St, Gaylord, MN  55334

Find a club in Sibley County

Sibley County 4-H club list

Volunteering with Sibley County 4-H

Learn more about volunteering with 4-H

• November 2024
• October 2024
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• July 2024
• June 2024
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• April 2024
• March 2024
• February 2024
• January 2024
• December 2023

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.”

This section will contain all important Sibley County 4-H updates for the county fair.   A copy of the 2024 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.

Minnesota 4-H at the county fairs

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

• 2024 Sibley County Premium Book
• 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
[email protected] or 507-237-4100

Joleen Dose, Extension support staff
[email protected] or 507-237-4100

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Farmland rent information

Farmland Rental Rates and Information

• 2024 Nicollet/Sibley County Land Rent update
• 2023 Nicollet/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

• Iowa Custom Rate Survey

Samantha (Schoenbauer) Yetzer, Extension educator, Agriculture Production Systems
[email protected] or 507-237-4100

Joleen Dose, Extension support staff
[email protected] or 507-237-4100

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Gifts support local programming coordinated by Sibley County Master Gardener volunteers.

Make a gift on the University of Minnesota giving page.

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 [email protected]
• 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 [email protected]
• 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) Yetzer, Extension educator, Agriculture Production Systems
[email protected] or 507-237-4100

Joleen Dose, Extension support staff
[email protected] or 507-237-4100

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.

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
[email protected] or 507-237-4100

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:

• Strengthening Sibley's Future
• 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 Sibley County and neighboring communities, and how to submit a project idea.