Each day, Extension educators and researchers share expertise in the news, and Extension participants share their experiences of learning and growth. Enjoy this small selection of relevant and inspiring stories from 2025!
The 4-H llama/alpaca costume contest at the state fair made it into the Star Tribune’s Scene at the Fair section (PDF), plus its competitive 2025 Year in Photos (gift link) — as well as the national print edition of People magazine!
Horticulture Extension Educator Laura Irish-Hanson spent an hour on MPR’s live morning show sharing spring gardening strategies.
Extension Educator Susie West joined MPR News and Minnesota Live on KSTP to talk about how to help people facing food insecurity and how to support local food shelves.
Grain market economist Ed Usset spoke with the national PBS show, News Hour, about the effects of tariffs on the global soybean market.
Extension Health and Wellness Coordinators Kowsar Adan and Peter Katsiotis did a Fox 9 live cooking segment and interview (at the 31:10 mark) about how to save money on groceries.
Extension Educator Nicole Kudrle spoke with WDIO TV in Duluth about how 4-H projects prepare kids for real life.
Extension Educator Amy Johnston spoke with WCCO TV’s Good Question segment about how to correctly wash fresh produce.
Extension Educator Amy Rager went on KSTP’s Minnesota Live twice — once with volunteer Minnesota Master Naturalist Tanner Barnharst and again by herself to talk about the program in general. She also sat down with Fox 9’s live streaming show, The Afternoon Shift, to promote the program geared toward adults.
Extension Educator Dung Mao spoke live with Fox 9 about budgeting during a government shutdown (at the 42:34 mark).
MCAP Director Heidi Roop and MCAP comms specialist Britta Greene bylined an op-ed in the Star Tribune (gift link) about the growing challenges of climate adaptation.
Extension Educator John Bennett published a commentary in the Star Tribune about Extension succession planning (gift link) in communities like Ely.
Applied Research Specialist Brigid Tuck spoke with the Republican Eagle about the impact of riverboat tourism on the economics of the area.
Extension Educator Garen Pauslon chatted live with WCCO Radio for an in-depth interview about the effects of tariffs on soybean farmers in Minnesota.
RSDP’s Assistant Statewide Director Connie Carlson spoke with Root River Current about RSDP’s deep winter greenhouse project in Houston County.
Financial Health and Wellness Coordinator Tonia Brinston spoke with MPR’s Angela Davis and Chris Farrell about how to manage your money in an uncertain economy.