Research-based education improving lives, land, and livelihoods across Larimer County.
2025 Highlights
- 200+ Educational Events
- 379 Volunteers Engaged
- 8,679 Participants & Attendees
- 83% Participants surveyed intend to change a behavior
- 87,144 Website Views
Note from the Director
Extension’s mission is to empower people with practical knowledge from Colorado State University and trusted partners. In 2025, our staff reached over 8,000 people in all parts of Larimer County with educational programming. Over 300 4-H, Master Gardener, and Food Safety volunteers, student interns, and growing online content extended our reach even further.
And what were the results of these efforts? Eighty three percent of survey respondents said they intended to make a change as a result of our programs. This means that people will apply what they learned in order to make their small farm more profitable, improve their nutrition, better manage their land and garden, handle food more safely, and be more civically engaged. It’s easy to imagine the impacts on the broader community from the sum of these individual actions. I hope that you’ll consider joining one of our offerings this year to help you reach a goal and to create your own personal ripple effect.
Cary Weiner, Larimer County Extension Director
- Cary Weiner
4-H Youth Development
Empowering youth to grow life & leadership skills, and step confidently into college and careers.
4-H provides hands-on learning experiences where young people explore interests, take on leadership roles, and build practical skills through real-world projects.
With guidance from caring mentors and opportunities to collaborate with peers, youth learn responsibility, problem-solving, and confidence in supportive community settings.
These experiences help young people grow into capable, motivated leaders prepared to navigate the next steps of their education and future paths.
Highlights
- 869 Youth Enrolled
- 234 Volunteers Engaged
- 1,664 Youth Projects Completed
- 22 Junior Leadership Club Members
- 40+ Projects Supported
Stories
Cloverbuds Mini Maker Series
Hands-on workshops with activities like building robots, sewing projects, gardening, and woodworking introduced children ages 5–7 to STEM, creative problem-solving, and early social and emotional skills.
The program lays a strong foundation for future 4-H participation while connecting families to CSU Extension resources and supporting children’s lifelong learning.
Livestock Workshops
Larimer County 4-H Livestock Workshops give youth hands-on agricultural education. Eight projects including beef, swine, sheep, goat, dairy cattle, poultry, rabbit, and equine, cover animal care, showmanship, biosecurity, and record-keeping.
Workshops are low-cost or free, supported by CSU Extension, volunteer leaders, and access programs like Lease a Dairy that remove financial barriers.
Community Service Project
Every rescued animal deserves a little joy, and Larimer County 4-H members ages 8–18 are making that happen. By handcrafting enrichment toys for animals at NOCO Humane, for example, youth see firsthand the difference their work makes.
This project teaches kids to show up for their community, care for creatures who can't speak for themselves, and feel the quiet pride that comes from giving without expecting anything in return.
Meet the People Behind the Programs
- Alison O'Connor, Horticulture Extension Specialist
- Amber Webb, Family & Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist
- Analecia Vasquez, Retail Food Safety Program Coordinator
- Andy Weakland, Business Operations Manager
- Bailey Schilling, 4-H Livestock & Equine Extension Specialist
- Britney Filter, 4-H Administrative Specialist
- Cari Brown, Marketing & Communications Specialist
- Cari Weiner, Director
- Cheryl Noble, Community Development Coordinator
- Christa Timmerman, Extension Professor of Health & Wellness
- Diana Castro - Ruybal, 4-H Program Coordinator (STEM/Juntos)
- Diana Rios Esquivel, EFNEP Peer Educator
- Dian Kern, 4-H Program Coordinator
- Jessica Callen, Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Specialist
- Lisa Auer, Community Engagement Extension Specialist
- Maggie Switzer, Farmers Market & Food Systems Coordinator
- Paula Petroff, Administrative Specialist
- Rachel Wildman, 4-H Youth Development Extension Specialist
Connect With Us
Register for workshops · Find Fact Sheets · Contact our staff
- LarimerExtension.org
- 970.498.6000
- CSUExtension@Larimer.org
- 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80524
- Facebook: fb.com/larimercountyextension
- Instagram: @larimer_county_extension
- tinyurl.com/LarimerExtensionYouTube
