How can you get involved?

CEEF

Contact - Julie McKnight

651-249-9043

The Farmington community is not restricted to the city’s boundaries but also includes the surrounding townships. Many residents from the city and the townships plan events which benefit all residents in the area.

C.E.E.F., the Castle Rock-Empire-Eureka-Farmington Enhancement Group, is instrumental to the organization of several community events.

Annually, C.E.E.F. members join with other city organizations to plan the summer celebration, Dew Days and several other community events.

A nonprofit organization, C.E.E.F. welcomes new members who will share their time, talents, ideas and financial support. All members are volunteers. Donations made to the group are tax deductible.

DCR Chambers of Commerce

www.dcrchamber.com

Farmington is a member of the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commmerce, an organization formed to promote area businesses. The DCR serves businesses in Rosemount, Eagan, Farmington, Lilydale, Mendota, Mendota Heights, Sunfish Lake and West St. Paul.

The DCR forms partnerships that provide quality local programs while achieving regional impact. The chamber strives to unite and energize the business community to improve members successes by providing networking, supporting educational opportunities, encouraging business and community development and shaping public policy.

Dakota County Fair Board

651-463-8818

One does not have to be a farmer to become a member of the Dakota County Agricultural Society, the group which plans the annual Dakota County Fair.

Membership for the Dakota County Agricultural Society begins Oct. 1 of every year. People interested in joining the society may do so by filling out a registration form available at the office at Ahlberg Hall on the Dakota County Fairgrounds, and paying a nominal registration fee.

Society members interested in getting onto the board of directors may do so by filling out an application form and seeking an appointment to the board.

Many of the people involved in planning the Dakota County Fair are simply folks who enjoy providing a safe, fun, family event for the residents of the county. Some are in the agricultural field, but many others are business men and women who bring different ideas and abilities to the group.

The Dakota County Agricultural Society is also a primary fiscal agent for Dakota City Heritage Village, and participates in educational programs for youth.

Society members are invited to become involved in committee meetings that take place throughout the year, attend the monthly meetings (held the first Monday of each month) of the Dakota County Agricultural Society Board of Directors, and vote in annual board elections in November.

Eagles Club

651-460-8376

The Farmington Eagles club is a fraternal organization intended for anyone who believes in the group’s motto: “People helping people.”

The Eagles and its women’s Eagles Auxiliary raise money throughout the year with pull tabs, bar bingo and other events. Most of that money goes right back into the community.

The Farmington Eagles raise thousands of dollars for the Farmington community each year. One such fund-raiser is a golf tournament organized by the Eagles to benefit the Ramble and Amble walk for cancer. They support the annual Halloween Walk, Toys for Town, CEEF and many organizations and families in need.

The Eagles operate a bar and restaurant on Third Street with banquet facilities available for special occasions. There are many fun events held annually such as Halloween Party with prizes for the best costumes and the Rambling River Days tent and live band.

Farmington has several Boy Scout Troops and Cub Scout Packs. Most are arranged by which schools children attend.

Cub Scouts

651-224-1891

Cub Scouts is for youths in grades kindergarten through fifth grade. Boy Scouts range in age from 11 to 18.

Farmington is part of the Prairie Lakes District, served by the Indianhead Council. To join, call 651-254-9137.

Girl Scouts

www.girlscoutsrv.org

1-800-845-0787

Local Girl Scouts of the USA are served by the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys Council with a local office in Northfield.

Scouting serves girls in grades K-12.

Farmington Fire Department

651-280-6941

Chief — Tim Pietsch

The Farmington Fire Department is made up of volunteer firefighters who cover an 88-square-mile area that includes Farmington, Empire and Castle Rock townships and a large part of Eureka Township. It was organized in 1880.

Several of the department’s firefighters are trained as first responder emergency medical technicians. They make up a separate rescue squad within the department to respond to traffic accidents and other medical emergencies to provide first aid until an ambulance crew arrives.

The Farmington Fire Department also hosts an annual Turkey Bingo event.

Dakota Valley Arts Council

Aspiring artists can build their creativity around the Farmington community by participating in the Dakota Valley Arts Council.

Founded in 1989, DVAC encourages artists in any medium, sponsors community activities, and tries to foster the artistic interest of residents through its many annual projects.

The organization is based in Farmington, though its membership stretches throughout Dakota County. A nonprofit organization, DVAC provides a variety of member and community activities and special events, many of which are directed by members.

The DVAC’s June Arts Show gives the public a chance to compete in a local art contest, and view the works of others in the community. Student and DVAC art works are also on display at the Dakota County Library in Farmington.

Another endeavor for the council is been the development of outdoor art in the Depot Way Park in downtown Farmington. The DVAC has added several pieces to the park, located along the railroad tracks near Second Street between Elm and Oak.

DVAC issues a monthly newsletter with updates on activities, meeting dates, and people to contact for more information. Those newsletters are distributed free at the Dakota County Library in Farmington and Farmington City Hall.

Dakota Valley Arts Council funds many of its programs through allocations from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, but fund-raisers are also planned throughout the year.

Friends of the Library

651-438-0250

The Friends of the Library group was founded in 1993 when the library was still attached to the Farmington City Hall. The group is still active today and looks for ways to help the library improve and grow with the community. They hold annual books sales to raise money to fund programs and services, bring in authors to discuss their books, and purchase supplemental supplies and materials for the library.

The group benefits the community by working with library staff to determine which programs and services will best serve the patrons. Many different groups and performers are brought in each year to entertain and educate visitors of all ages. Children, teens and adults will find many interesting and rewarding programs at the library courtesy of the Friends of the Library group.

New members are always welcome. To learn more about the Friends of the Library, contact the library.

Farmington Area Historical Society

www.geocities.com/fahsmn

A shared knowledge and shared experience create a base for community. A shared knowledge of the stories about Farmington’s past binds the community together by giving its residents a common foundation.

The lack of knowledge regarding Farmington’s history led several local families to officially establish the Farmington Area Historical Society in September of 1998, after meeting informally for more than a year.

The purpose of the Farmington Area Historical Society is to inform, educate, and involve the community in the history and the stories of the Farmington area. Stories about the past. That is what history is.

Research, publications, presentations, and tours are some of the ways the FAHS works to magnify and illustrate Farmington area history. By providing accurate information to school students and teachers, the FAHS assures the history of the community is available for educational purposes. Thousands of students have attended FAHS presentations and have access to the informative FAHS Web site.

American Legion

651-460-9909

Veterans of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines or Coast Guard who served active service in one or more of the United States’ combat conflicts, are invited to join the Farmington American Legion, Post 189.

Located off of Highway 3, the American Legion welcomes all veterans.

Men can also join the Sons of the American Legion if their father, grandfather or sibling was in one of the branches. Women are invited to join the American Legion Auxiliary with the same affiliations.

The Farmington American Legion Post and Auxliary meetings are held the third Monday of each month, September through May, starting at 7 p.m. SAL meetings are the second Monday of each month, also at 7 p.m.

Farmington VFW

651-463-3870

Contact — Ron Ersfeld

The local VFW post is the organizing body for area veterans of foreign wars. The organization decides how to allot donations and takes part in all veteran-related issues, including veteran’s programs at Farmington schools.

Steak fry benefits are held every third Saturday of the month except December and June. The group meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the VFW club, 421 Third Street.

VFW Auxiliary

651-463-3870

Contact — Bev Ersfeld

Women related to veterans meet to serve veterans and veteran causes through this organization. The group holds food drives for cancer research, veterans hospitals, disabled veterans and more. Every May, the organization sells Buddy Poppies to the public in support of disabled veterans.

The VFW women’s auxiliary meets the first wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the VFW club, 421 Third Street. The women’s auxiliary meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the VFW club.

Warrior to Citizen

651-460-2248

Contact — Annette Kuyper

Veterans returning from service in Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere in the world often find themselves coming home to a world that suddenly seems very different than the one they left. That can be difficult for them, and it can be just as difficult for the people they’re coming home to. That’s where Warrior to Citizen comes in.

The group is involved in a number of efforts to help ease the transition from active-duty to civillian life.

The efforts of the Warrior to Citizen group helped the city of Farmington earn recognition as Minnesota’s first Yellow Ribbon City.

Farmington Sno-Tigers

651-460-6028

Contact — Brian Vik

The Farmington Sno-Tigers snowmobile club has been in existence since 1970, and is open to everyone and active year-round.

The Sno-Tigers are enthusiastic and dedicated to preserving the sport. The group has fundraisers and maintain snowmobile trails around the area. The Sno-Tigers meets the second Thursday of every month — September through April — at 8 p.m. at the Farmington American Legion.

Farmington Rotary

www.farmingtonrotarymn.org

952-985-2823

Contact — Anika Rychner

There are about 1.2 million Rotarians that belong to over 30,000 Rotary Clubs in more than 160 countries. The objective of Rotary is service in the community, workplace and across the world.

The Farmington Rotary Club formed in 2002 and has raised money for a number of local, national and international causes. The club sponsors scholarships each year for Farmington High School students.

The Rotary club meets for lunch at noon Thursdays at the Farmington Eagles Club.

Southern Dakota County Sportsmen

www.sdcsc.org

Despite its name, the Southern Dakota County Sportsmen Club is open to anyone with an interest in hunting, fishing or wildlife. The club works on wild game projects throughout the year, including a wild game dinner in January. The club works with the community by offering gun safety training classes and contributing to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The SDCSC meets the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Farmington American Legion.

Tiger Fan Club

www.tigerfanclub.org

The Tiger Fan Club is an athletics organization that assists Farmington school sports. Raising money through concession sales at sporting events and fundraisers like their golf tour in the summer, the Tiger Fan Club helps athletic teams financially when there are budget constraints, such as for equipment or trips.

The Tiger Fan Club meets at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at Farmington High School.

Lions Club

651-460-2032

Contact — Susan Henricks

The Lions Club of Farmington was chartered in 1953. The Lions Club motto around the world is "We Serve."

The Farmington Lions have meetings the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Farmington American Legion building.

The club holds several fundraisers each year, including the 200 Club chicken feed, Applebee’s pancake breakfast, Dew Days beer tent and Dakota County Fair bingo. The proceeds go to organizations such as the University of Minnesota Eye Bank, University of Minnesota Diabetes Foundation, The Lakeville baseball field of dreams, Boy Scout Troop 118, Camp Courage and Camp Needlepoint.

Helping prevent loss of eyesight is one of the Lions Club’s main causes. Collection boxes are placed around town for old glasses and hearing aids. The collections are then refurbished and donated to individuals who need them. Eye exams and glasses are provided to children referred by school nurses when families are unable to provide them.

Farmington Education Foundation

farmingtonedfoundation.org

The Farmington Area Education Foundation exists to enhance and serve the community bu supporting and enriching education and learning opportunities for students in grades K-12 in the Farmington School District.

The education foundation has been able to fund thousands in grants for various projects benefitting District 192. It currently has $10,000 available for grants.

4-H

651-480-7710

Contact — Mary Duncomb

With more than 7 million members in the United States, 4-H is the country’s largest out-of-school youth program. The program is part of the Cooperative Extension System, a non-profit program oprated through each state’s land grant university. The University of Minnesota’s Extension system staff operates 4-H offices in every county.

Tags: community guide, new resident information