UMN Extension Community Development

10/20/2026

📣 We're so excited Extension's Side by Side podcast, hosted by leadership and civic engagement educator, Ellen Wolter, is a finalist for an Anthem Community Voice award! The winner is chosen by the public, so we'd love to have your support at https://z.umn.edu/VoteSidebySide. Voting is open now through Thursday, Oct. 29!

10/19/2026

Extension's Ben Wi******er was recently honored with the Minnesota Gift Planning Association's Leave a Legacy Award. Recognizing professionals who exceptionally promote and facilitate charitable estate gifts, the award commends Ben's work analyzing and compiling wealth data for every county in the state, allowing communities to optimize the potential for future wealth transfer.

10/14/2026

🎙 Don't miss our latest episode of Side by Side! This week, Ellen talks to SUNY Oneonta sociologist Dr. Greg Fulkerson whose work explores how rural and urban places are not distinct places, but actually a complex adaptive system. He describes how trade has connected rural producers and urban consumers for thousands of years, fueling urban growth while often placing unequal demands on rural communities over time.
https://z.umn.edu/SidebySideFulkerson

10/13/2026

How can Minnesota communities use state and federal historic tax credits for local economic development projects? Extension partnered with the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office to find out. Join us Tuesday, Nov. 10 learn more about the three common approaches communities used.

Are there any older vacant or underused buildings in your neighborhood? Learn how communities are transforming them to meet local needs, including housing.

10/08/2026

🎙 🚜 What role does agritourism play in building agricultural literacy? In this week's episode of Side by Side, Ellen talks to Extension educator Freya Thurmer and Zeke Berg, owner of Fresh Acres Fall Festival and Farm, to answer this question. They also discuss how agritourism develops respect for healthy farmland, soil, and water while also providing family farms with supplemental income.
https://z.umn.edu/SidebySideThurmerandBerg

10/05/2026

When a business owner decides it's time to retire or transition, the decision is often deeply personal and carries considerable emotional weight. What are the most important issues to consider? How do you best manage relationships with—and concerns from—employees and family members?

When a business owner decides it’s time to retire or transition, the decision is often deeply personal and carries considerable emotional weight. What are the most important issues to consider? How do you best manage relationships with — and concerns from — employees and family members?

10/01/2026

A very important webinar being offered by Minnesota Compass—please be sure to attend if you can!

❗️The U.S. Census is under imminent threat. Proposed rule changes for the next Census could significantly alter how Minnesotans are counted. Key proposals include removing race & ethnicity from the questionnaire, shifting your “usual residence," and excluding certain noncitizens.

Join us for a live webinar on October 6th to explore what these proposed changes mean for Minnesota's representation and funding.

Register for the Webinar & read our Insights Article to learn what’s at stake.
Insights Article: https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/who-counts-proposed-census-rule-would-change-answer
Webinar: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9Mlg1UWE7bJOYFlN1_KE7oYfJx9BLXlb4H09Gbi2MoGx2WQ/viewform

09/30/2026

Looking to connect with fellow agritourism operators? The third annual Agritourism Exchange is Nov. 19 in Dundas. If you're involved in agritourism—or interested in growing your operation—we'd love for you to join us!

Join Extension for a day dedicated to connecting, learning, and sharing ideas with others who welcome visitors to farms across the state.

09/28/2026

Extreme weather events, rising insurance costs, and shifting energy bills are making climate change a financial reality for millions of households. Is there a way to climate-proof your home? Join us Wednesday, Oct. 21 to learn how to protect your money and build long-term financial resilience.

Extreme weather, rising insurance costs and varying energy bills are making climate change a financial reality. Learn how to protect your assets and make a climate-proof action plan for your household.

09/25/2026

The Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities conference in City of St. Joseph, MN last week was a huge success! More than 150 people from across Minnesota came together to learn about and share ideas for supporting local entrepreneurs and growing their communities. Our deepest thanks to the local hosts, presenters, and business owners who so warmly welcomed us. And a special thank you to all of the participants who made it an event to remember. Visit Joetown College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University