Any questions regarding future events, contact the Community Extension department at extension@wetcc.edu or Maria Fatz (WETCC Community Extension Coordinator) at: maria.fatz@wetcc.edu or call 218-936-8349.
Event Articles:
2025 Wild Rice Push Pole Workshop
By Maria Fatz WETCC Community Extension Coordinator
White Earth Food Sovereignty and Security (WEFSS) along with White Earth Tribal and Community College (WETCC), Community Extension department partnered together to host a Ricing Tool Making Workshop in Mahnomen, MN. This gathering happened August 12th and August 13th in Biminizha'an gibawaajigan the classroom attached to Gizhiigin Arts Incubator. 24 people showed up and worked hard together as a community; beautiful push poles and knockers were built those two days spent together. This event is funded in part by Capacity grant funding from USDA/NIFA (Award #2022-47003-38383). Please feel free to reach out to either Nicole LaFrinier WEFSS Coordinator or Maria Fatz WETCC Community Extension Coordinator to suggest community food sovereignty, security or agricultural education requests. Miigwech
2025 Community Extension Apple Festival
By Maria Fatz WETCC Community Extension Coordinator
The Naytahwaush community came together on Wednesday August 20th to celebrate the 2025 Apple Festival; this year’s festival was hosted in Naytahwaush by the Naytahwuash Community Charter School (NCCS). From 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., families enjoyed this free community event.
The festival featured a variety of attractions, including a light meal provided by White Earth Food Sovereignty and Security, cooked/served by staff of NCCS, registration was ran by Naytahwaush Community Council (NCC) and NCCS, Frank Steck of Dynamite Sounds brought music and a digital photo booth enjoyed by all, CircleBack Program offered face painting, White Earth Child Care gave educational books and merch. The White Earth Tobacco Coalition shared educational handouts and merch, White Earth 4-H hosted an art and craft table creating pictures using paint and stamping apples, Naytahwaush Child Care brought supplies and taught community to make their own apple pie in a cup, WECare provided community with free toothbrushes and small games for kids, White Earth Public Health Community Educator brought Baaga’adowewin our traditional Stick ball game. The University of Minnesota Ottertail Extension Coordinator came and shared education on apple pesticides and disease along with apple identification handouts. White Earth Tribal and Community College Community Extension provided community with apple butter, apple sauce, and apple recipes. The Life Program ran this year’s beloved caramel apple walk, a petting zoo was brought by local ally Eddie Streeper, children and adults alike were delighted by this year’s event and activities.
White Earth Food Sovereignty and Security (WEFSS) along with White Earth Tribal and Community College (WETCC), Community Extension plans to continue to host this Apple Festival in years to come to continue to engage community with the community apples. If this event is something your community would like to host in the years to come, please contact either Nicole LaFrinier WEFSS Coordinator or Maria Fatz WETCC Community Extension Coordinator.
This event is funded in part by Capacity grant funding from USDA/NIFA (Award #2022-47003-38383)
Extension Service Heading
- Click here for directions on how to make Instant Pot Squash
- Click here for directions on how to make Sauerkraut In A Jar
- Click here for directions on how to save tomato seeds
- Click here for directions on how to make Plantain Salve
- Click here for directions on how to make Elderberry Syrup
- Click here for directions on how to make Crockpot Tomato Paste for canning
- Click here for directions on how to make No-Knead Bread
- Click here for directions on how to save melon seeds
2025 Community Extension Photos:
White Earth Tribal & Community College Community Extension
Vision: The White Earth Tribal and Community College Community Extension is the bridge between the college and community. We promote self-reliance built on our traditions in connection with the land.
White Earth Tribal and Community College (WETCC) received designation as a 1994 Land Grant Institution as part of the fiscal year 2002 Farm Bill, with fiscal year 2003 marking the introduction of Extension Programming at the college. In general, land grant programs are categorized into three broad programming areas: Teaching, Extension, and Research.
“Tribal College Equity supports formal education.”
“Tribal College Extension supports informal, community-based learning”
“Tribal College Research helps the 1994 Land-Grants build scientific capacity and provide a strong foundation in research knowledge for students.”
https://nifa.usda.gov/program/nifa-tribal-programs
Extension Goals
One of the primary goals of the White Earth Tribal and Community College Extension Service is to promote a practical level of food literacy by providing teachings and activities that enhance food security for youth, families, and community. Our educational outreach focuses on local and traditional foods and the arts in a culturally relevant context.
“Land grant is:
•Practical education for all people
•Diverse group of colleges and universities
•Congressionally-mandated and federally-supported
•Programs in Teaching, Extension and Research”
Staff Members
Tammy Bellanger
Community Extension Director
EXT. 8351
Diane McArthur
Community Extension Supervisor
EXT. 8350
Bob Shimek
Community Extension Educator
EXT. 8348
Maria Fatz
Community Extension Coordinator
EXT. 8349
Sativa Warren
Community Extension Garden Educator
Contact Info:
WETCC Community Extension
2250 College Road
PO Box 478
Mahnomen, MN 56557
Phone: 218-935-0417
