![Mark Seeley in front of MPR building](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/20080320_UMext_33.jpg?h=3c05eb17&itok=DQeVYjqZ)
Mark Seeley, Extension climatologist emeritus, has the latest on his WeatherTalk blog. Includes a Dec. 17 update.
![A small town baker helping a customer in their store.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/baker-helping-customer-store-sbv-338858171-1000w.jpg?h=65bdab3b&itok=TRSi8Ejx)
For leaders, creating public value and common good can be a daunting task. Learn how to find joy and simplicity while living in leadership.
![Health and nutrition educators set up a cooking demo in a home kitchen](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/Letty%20and%20Conchita%20prep%20cooking%20class.jpg?h=117a81dc&itok=aKz7s3H0)
SNAP-ED educators Maria Conchita Paez-Sievert and Letty Rodriguez bring community care to diabetes prevention.
![Adults looking and three different electric vehicles.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/EV%20Banner%203%20RSDP.jpg?h=f712f7bf&itok=wlaI6EQh)
Car-sharing programs incorporating EVs are typically found in warmer climates, but research supported by the Northwest RSDP suggests such a program could also work in northern Minnesota, providing a sustainable option for those who lack transportation access.
![herd of sheep](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/Sheep-with-farmer-in-pasture.jpg?h=d5719241&itok=JLzQSCfI)
Minnesota’s small and medium-sized livestock producers lacked access to meat processing even before the pandemic, and COVID-19 magnified the issue. RSDP and partners are working on sustainable solutions.
![Empty bench on a hill looking over Lake Superior](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/empty%20bench%20at%20lake%20superior.jpg?h=2df2b57a&itok=hKDatEz8)
Opioids continue to be the driving cause of drug overdose deaths. For the past three years, University of Minnesota Extension and the College of Pharmacy have led work on community-based solutions to the opioid crisis in rural Minnesota.
![Strawberry patch covered in leaf mulch.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/Strawberries%20covered%20in%20leaves.jpg?h=cb337a94&itok=RhfHwfEA)
It is finally time to cover your strawberries for winter. Before snow covers the ground, cover your strawberry patch with 2 to 3 inches of straw or leaf mulch.
![Two people having a conversation and asking each other questions.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/two-people-convesation-pexels-alexander-suhorucov-1000w.jpg?h=b1dcda82&itok=LwO33Nq6)
Questions that go beyond a yes and no response make conversations pop. Learn about the "what, so what, now what" questioning approach to better engage with others.
![Mug on desk next to laptop with an online meeting going on.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/RSDP%20mug%20laptop%20online%20meeting_0.jpg?h=77bfd119&itok=rXqgvtV7)
Leaders from each of the five RSDP regions share lessons learned on how communities across Greater Minnesota have adapted and demonstrated resilience, giving them hope for the future.
![Bare sandy soil with tan oblong grass seed, brown tear-drop-shaped self heal flower seed, and plant debris on top of it.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/dormant-seeded-soil.jpg?h=cc186538&itok=RITzgap-)
If you want to start a bee lawn, November is a good time of year for that task.
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