University of Minnesota Extension
@umnextension.bsky.social
We bring Minnesotans together to build a better future through University science-based knowledge, expertise and training. extension.umn.edu
Reposted by University of Minnesota Extension
“Our farm is not only about growing food. It’s about growing people & preserving culture.”
@hennepin.bsky.social and the @umnextension.bsky.social are proud to recognize the Sudanese Farming Group as the Farm Family of the Year for their leadership in sustainable agriculture, education, & community
@hennepin.bsky.social and the @umnextension.bsky.social are proud to recognize the Sudanese Farming Group as the Farm Family of the Year for their leadership in sustainable agriculture, education, & community
November 21, 2025 at 5:50 PM
“Our farm is not only about growing food. It’s about growing people & preserving culture.”
@hennepin.bsky.social and the @umnextension.bsky.social are proud to recognize the Sudanese Farming Group as the Farm Family of the Year for their leadership in sustainable agriculture, education, & community
@hennepin.bsky.social and the @umnextension.bsky.social are proud to recognize the Sudanese Farming Group as the Farm Family of the Year for their leadership in sustainable agriculture, education, & community
Minnesota’s Tamarack region, known also as the “wild rice basket,” contains some of the most abundant wild rice (manoomin) waters in the world. 🌾 A community-University partnership brings new light to this vulnerable but sacred resource through maps and real voices. z.umn.edu/awp3
Reflections from Minnesota’s manoomin basket
With interactive maps and real voices, a community-University partnership brings new light to a vulnerable but sacred resource.
z.umn.edu
November 25, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Minnesota’s Tamarack region, known also as the “wild rice basket,” contains some of the most abundant wild rice (manoomin) waters in the world. 🌾 A community-University partnership brings new light to this vulnerable but sacred resource through maps and real voices. z.umn.edu/awp3
🍂 As Minnesota’s woods turn red and gold, some plants stay stubbornly green, and that’s a red flag. Learn how to spot and manage invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle this fall.
Scouting for invasive species this fall
"Fall is a great time to scout for invasive plants because they stay green longer than native species," says Hana Kim, Extension educator.
extension.umn.edu
October 23, 2025 at 4:28 PM
🍂 As Minnesota’s woods turn red and gold, some plants stay stubbornly green, and that’s a red flag. Learn how to spot and manage invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle this fall.
Join UMN Extension and @umn-midb.bsky.social on Oct. 30 for an onsite ECHO event and listening session at the North Central Research and Outreach Center in Grand Rapids. Providers, educators, social workers and other professionals are encouraged to attend!
Stop by the North Central Research and Outreach Center in Grand Rapids, Minn. on Oct. 30 from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for a presentation and listening session! Learn about what every good autism evaluation should include and share your insights. Register ➡️ z.umn.edu/as7l
October 20, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Join UMN Extension and @umn-midb.bsky.social on Oct. 30 for an onsite ECHO event and listening session at the North Central Research and Outreach Center in Grand Rapids. Providers, educators, social workers and other professionals are encouraged to attend!
📆‼️Deadline next week! Apply by October 1 to join the 2026 Master Gardener Volunteer Program cohort. Details: z.umn.edu/MGInfo.
Become a Master Gardener volunteer
Find out how to apply to be a Master Gardener and register for the core course.
z.umn.edu
September 24, 2025 at 7:39 PM
📆‼️Deadline next week! Apply by October 1 to join the 2026 Master Gardener Volunteer Program cohort. Details: z.umn.edu/MGInfo.
Headed to the State Fair? 🎡🌽 Stop by the Agriculture-Horticulture Building (CFANS wing) to talk plants with Master Gardener volunteers! They’re here daily to answer your gardening questions and share how you can become a volunteer.
August 26, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Headed to the State Fair? 🎡🌽 Stop by the Agriculture-Horticulture Building (CFANS wing) to talk plants with Master Gardener volunteers! They’re here daily to answer your gardening questions and share how you can become a volunteer.
Learn and grow with the Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program! Applications for the 2026 cohort are now open. 🌱 Apply by October 1 at z.umn.edu/am3k
Become a Master Gardener volunteer
Find out how to apply to be a Master Gardener and register for the core course.
z.umn.edu
August 11, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Learn and grow with the Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program! Applications for the 2026 cohort are now open. 🌱 Apply by October 1 at z.umn.edu/am3k
When disaster strikes, it can be hard to know how to respond. Extension’s weather and climate resources help you prepare for, respond to and recover from events like storms, flooding, drought and extreme heat. From your home to your finances, we have resources to support recovery. buff.ly/evJEVgz
Weather and climate resources
Find Extension resources to help you weather the storm, including flooding, drought, and extreme cold.
z.umn.edu
July 22, 2025 at 7:46 PM
When disaster strikes, it can be hard to know how to respond. Extension’s weather and climate resources help you prepare for, respond to and recover from events like storms, flooding, drought and extreme heat. From your home to your finances, we have resources to support recovery. buff.ly/evJEVgz
Join us in celebrating the Farm Families of the Year! 👏 Since 1979, the U of M Farm Family Recognition Program has honored Minnesota farm families for their contributions to the agriculture industry and their local communities. This year, 86 families will be honored at MN Farmfest. buff.ly/l0IDKOk
Farm Families of the Year
The University of Minnesota Farm Family Recognition Program honors farm families from throughout Minnesota for their significant contributions to the agriculture industry and their local communities.
z.umn.edu
July 21, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Join us in celebrating the Farm Families of the Year! 👏 Since 1979, the U of M Farm Family Recognition Program has honored Minnesota farm families for their contributions to the agriculture industry and their local communities. This year, 86 families will be honored at MN Farmfest. buff.ly/l0IDKOk
The July garden checklist is here! ✅ Learn how to take care of houseplants at this stage of summer, and be on the lookout for garden pests. Remember to tend to your trees and shrubs, especially after harsh weather.
July garden checklist
Learn how to take care of houseplants at this stage of summer, and be on the lookout for garden pests. Remember to tend to your trees and shrubs, especially after harsh weather.
extension.umn.edu
July 16, 2025 at 3:24 PM
The July garden checklist is here! ✅ Learn how to take care of houseplants at this stage of summer, and be on the lookout for garden pests. Remember to tend to your trees and shrubs, especially after harsh weather.
Earlier this month, around 100 honeyberry enthusiasts joined us for the first-ever Honeyberry Academy, held in partnership with Extension at UW-Madison. Honeyberries, also known as Haskap, are a delicious cold-hardy fruit with a small, but expanding grower community.
Cold-hardy honeyberries are ripe for connection, community
Haskap, also known as honeyberries, captivate consumers and bring cold-hardy fruit-producing states closer together to share knowledge.
z.umn.edu
July 15, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Earlier this month, around 100 honeyberry enthusiasts joined us for the first-ever Honeyberry Academy, held in partnership with Extension at UW-Madison. Honeyberries, also known as Haskap, are a delicious cold-hardy fruit with a small, but expanding grower community.
Master Gardener Chidi Chidozie is building connections with communities through traditional plants with the U of M's Community Plant Breeding Team. Research fields adjacent to the St. Paul campus are home to a global garden, where crops like Ethiopian mustard, fluted pumpkin and African basil grow.
University of Minnesota grows non-native plants for immigrants to have a taste of home
Immigrants living in the United States inevitably miss a piece of home that can’t be found abroad. A new program at the University of Minnesota is working to change that.
www.mprnews.org
July 14, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Master Gardener Chidi Chidozie is building connections with communities through traditional plants with the U of M's Community Plant Breeding Team. Research fields adjacent to the St. Paul campus are home to a global garden, where crops like Ethiopian mustard, fluted pumpkin and African basil grow.
This #MensHealthMonth, Extension #SNAPEd health and wellness coordinators Michael Stratten, Thao Pham and Jonah Udall led by example and shared their personal stories in hopes of inspiring other men and fathers to do the same. Watch the full-length videos: z.umn.edu/RealTalkMensHealth
June 27, 2025 at 6:14 PM
This #MensHealthMonth, Extension #SNAPEd health and wellness coordinators Michael Stratten, Thao Pham and Jonah Udall led by example and shared their personal stories in hopes of inspiring other men and fathers to do the same. Watch the full-length videos: z.umn.edu/RealTalkMensHealth
Reposted by University of Minnesota Extension
My @umnextension.bsky.social colleague, Angie, was interviewed on the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture podcast, Smarty Plants, recently to talk about her cool work around invasive species participatory science! #InvasiveSpecies
open.spotify.com/episode/2F9H...
open.spotify.com/episode/2F9H...
Participatory Science: Your Involvement Matters
Smarty Plants · Episode
open.spotify.com
June 26, 2025 at 6:49 PM
My @umnextension.bsky.social colleague, Angie, was interviewed on the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture podcast, Smarty Plants, recently to talk about her cool work around invasive species participatory science! #InvasiveSpecies
open.spotify.com/episode/2F9H...
open.spotify.com/episode/2F9H...
The summer of 2025 has already been a wild ride—from unseasonal cold snaps to blistering heat and powerful storms. ⛈️ Gardens are resilient, and so are gardeners. With a little care and know-how, storm damage can be the first step toward a stronger, smarter growing season ahead.
Weathering the storm: helping your garden bounce back
The summer of 2025 has already been a wild ride—from unseasonal cold snaps to blistering heat and powerful storms. If your yard took a hit, don’t worry. Here’s a simple, safe plan to get your yard…
z.umn.edu
June 25, 2025 at 5:07 PM
The summer of 2025 has already been a wild ride—from unseasonal cold snaps to blistering heat and powerful storms. ⛈️ Gardens are resilient, and so are gardeners. With a little care and know-how, storm damage can be the first step toward a stronger, smarter growing season ahead.
Acrylic paint and pipe cleaners aren’t typical tools of the trade for Extension Educator Marissa Schuh, who specializes in integrated pest management (IPM). Learn how decorative craft models and art supplies are preparing farmers for food crop pest scouting.🥬 🐛 buff.ly/kfLzjfv
Visualizing vegetable pests
University of Minnesota Extension educator Marissa Schuh used decorative craft models and art supplies to prepare a lesson on food crop pest scouting.
extension.umn.edu
June 23, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Acrylic paint and pipe cleaners aren’t typical tools of the trade for Extension Educator Marissa Schuh, who specializes in integrated pest management (IPM). Learn how decorative craft models and art supplies are preparing farmers for food crop pest scouting.🥬 🐛 buff.ly/kfLzjfv
Side by Side season 2 is here! In this week's episode, David McCollough talks about the transformative power of the American Exchange Project, which aims to bridge cultural and socioeconomic divides for high school students through urban, rural and suburban exchange programs. z.umn.edu/SideBySide
June 11, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Side by Side season 2 is here! In this week's episode, David McCollough talks about the transformative power of the American Exchange Project, which aims to bridge cultural and socioeconomic divides for high school students through urban, rural and suburban exchange programs. z.umn.edu/SideBySide
Reposted by University of Minnesota Extension
Food brings families together. Our @umnextension.bsky.social Cooking Matters series helps parents build skills, try new foods, and gain confidence in the kitchen. It’s hands-on, joyful, & full of connection. Bon appétit!
🔗 waytogrow.org/blog
Photo credit: John Gwinn
🔗 waytogrow.org/blog
Photo credit: John Gwinn
June 3, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Food brings families together. Our @umnextension.bsky.social Cooking Matters series helps parents build skills, try new foods, and gain confidence in the kitchen. It’s hands-on, joyful, & full of connection. Bon appétit!
🔗 waytogrow.org/blog
Photo credit: John Gwinn
🔗 waytogrow.org/blog
Photo credit: John Gwinn
The current outbreak of spruce budworm across northeast Minnesota has led to widespread mortality of balsam fir, dramatically increasing the risk of wildfire. Learn how spruce budworm impacts trees and forests, and management recommendations for before, during and after an outbreak. buff.ly/orz8KC8
What landowners need to know about spruce budworm and wildfire
The current outbreak of spruce budworm across northeast Minnesota has led to widespread mortality of balsam fir, dramatically increasing the risk of wildfire, particularly in the Arrowhead region.
z.umn.edu
June 2, 2025 at 8:49 PM
The current outbreak of spruce budworm across northeast Minnesota has led to widespread mortality of balsam fir, dramatically increasing the risk of wildfire. Learn how spruce budworm impacts trees and forests, and management recommendations for before, during and after an outbreak. buff.ly/orz8KC8
As ecosystems are anticipated to shift in northern Minnesota, future forests may look different. To address this, Extension volunteers are at work planting, monitoring and preserving trees expected to thrive in the decades ahead. 🌲 buff.ly/3ZM9LzG
Northern forests of the future
Extension developed a list of native trees expected to thrive 50 -100 years from now; volunteers journal observations to offer clues for how species might fare north of current growing zones.
z.umn.edu
May 30, 2025 at 3:28 PM
As ecosystems are anticipated to shift in northern Minnesota, future forests may look different. To address this, Extension volunteers are at work planting, monitoring and preserving trees expected to thrive in the decades ahead. 🌲 buff.ly/3ZM9LzG
🏙️🏡 Season two of Side by Side launches June 11! Join Extension Educator Ellen Wolter as she explores the interdependent relationship between rural and urban spaces and why this complex and necessary relationship matters.
Catch up on season one ⬇️ z.umn.edu/SideBySide
Catch up on season one ⬇️ z.umn.edu/SideBySide
May 28, 2025 at 7:35 PM
🏙️🏡 Season two of Side by Side launches June 11! Join Extension Educator Ellen Wolter as she explores the interdependent relationship between rural and urban spaces and why this complex and necessary relationship matters.
Catch up on season one ⬇️ z.umn.edu/SideBySide
Catch up on season one ⬇️ z.umn.edu/SideBySide
Reposted by University of Minnesota Extension
A new @climatecentral.org report shows plant hardiness zones—which determine where plants can thrive—have shifted north in most of the United States.
eos.org/articles/as-...
eos.org/articles/as-...
As Climate Changes, So Do Gardens Across the United States - Eos
Warmer winter temperatures have altered frost patterns and growing seasons across the United States, forcing botanical gardens and arboretums to adapt.
eos.org
May 28, 2025 at 1:58 PM
A new @climatecentral.org report shows plant hardiness zones—which determine where plants can thrive—have shifted north in most of the United States.
eos.org/articles/as-...
eos.org/articles/as-...
🍀 Minnesota 4-H is expanding accessibility so youth with disabilities can participate more fully and thrive. Quieter judging spaces, inclusive camps and volunteer training opportunities are just a few ways that 4-H is making programs more welcoming for all.
Let’s talk about accessibility in 4-H
Training for all 4-H volunteers and new learning opportunities create more inclusive environments for youth with disabilities.
z.umn.edu
May 27, 2025 at 3:33 PM
🍀 Minnesota 4-H is expanding accessibility so youth with disabilities can participate more fully and thrive. Quieter judging spaces, inclusive camps and volunteer training opportunities are just a few ways that 4-H is making programs more welcoming for all.
🔎 You don't need to need to venture far to find the tiny ecological marvels known as lichens. Found in urban, rural and in-between spaces, Minnesota Master Naturalist Tanner Barnharst shares about his fascination with lichens, their unique beauty and his favorite spots to find them. buff.ly/fKdGPHb
Lichens: treasure in your own backyard
Minnesota Master Naturalist Tanner Barnharst reveals lichens in Minnesota’s urban, rural and in-between spaces.
buff.ly
May 23, 2025 at 3:33 PM
🔎 You don't need to need to venture far to find the tiny ecological marvels known as lichens. Found in urban, rural and in-between spaces, Minnesota Master Naturalist Tanner Barnharst shares about his fascination with lichens, their unique beauty and his favorite spots to find them. buff.ly/fKdGPHb
For many cottage food producers, farmers market season is underway. Brush up on food safety tips for farmers markets in the latest Cottage Foods Connection article. buff.ly/6cX6QzX
How to sell cottage foods at farmers markets safely
Brush up on safe food handling practices before selling your goods at the market.
buff.ly
May 22, 2025 at 8:35 PM
For many cottage food producers, farmers market season is underway. Brush up on food safety tips for farmers markets in the latest Cottage Foods Connection article. buff.ly/6cX6QzX