![A spigot in a tree with a bucket under it to harvest syrup.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/Harvesting-maple-syrup.jpg?h=d8e66455&itok=6pX97cbz)
Extension Educator Gary Wyatt addresses the concerns on syrup tapping during our mild winter.
![A group photo of Associate Dean Skuza, Extension Educators Brian McNeill and Anja Johnson, Dean Durgen, and two Minnesota 4-H Ag Ambassadors Arabelle R. and Ellie S., holding an award.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/Minnesota-soybean-grower-association-Minnesota-4-H-award.png?itok=rZ1O56p1)
Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) looks to the future of ag by awarding Minnesota 4-H with the MSGA Industry Partner of the Year award.
![Weeds in an area of thin grass.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/weedy-grass.jpg?h=ad7dae92&itok=nBy6ZjHH)
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has resources that include Best Management Practices (BMPs) and other guidance for using (or not using) pesticides and protecting water quality and pollinators.
![small town main street](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/small-town-street.jpg?h=56df56cf&itok=3j215fhE)
A brand new program, “Empowering Small Minnesota Communities,” will funnel a substantial amount of U of M capacity into small communities across the state.
![Greens growing in a farm-scale deep winter greenhouse.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/FSDWG%20800.jpg?h=57d69fa0&itok=730Ue14N)
Farm-scale deep winter greenhouses are showing great promise for energy efficient winter food production. Farmers and researchers have an exciting opportunity to partner to grow this technology across Minnesota.
![An older couple working on personal finances](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/planning-for-retirement.jpg?h=1d897e88&itok=OJCRhHNS)
Extension Educator Dung Mao talks about financial goals and habits in the Talking with U of M series.
![Four girls wearing matching gray team t-shirts work on their Rube Goldberg machine.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/2023-Engineering-Design-Challenge-4-H-youth.png?h=03177f4d&itok=3xbhA3RA)
The 2024 challenge theme will have youth use engineering to prepare and protect against extreme weather events resulting from the changing climate.
![Youth members and a man holding up fingers by their heads to look like bug antennas while smiling at the camera.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/we%20dig%20bugs%20%231.jpg?itok=i16AGtzk)
Carver County 4-H received a Helping Hands Award to establish the We Dig Bugs Entomology Club to engage youth in hands-on scientific learning.
![Pinecones on a pine tree branch in winter with snow.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/ponderosa-pinecones-winter.jpg?h=d2457e92&itok=tuec6SGK)
It’s easy to admire the beauty of the winter landscape. But what about everything that we can’t see? What happens to the forest during the winter?
![Robin on a buckthorn branch eating fruit.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/robineatingbuckthorn.jpeg?h=50b84a15&itok=theGqZDK)
The idea that buckthorn sickens (or even kills) birds is fairly widespread. So why do birds keep eating them?
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