![Six people smiling holding a long red ribbon](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/ribbon-cutting-advocacy-council.jpeg?h=263b4c0c&itok=CrNMPuYA)
Hillcrest Village in Northfield is achieving its groundbreaking vision of providing stable, affordable and climate-friendly housing. Now, project advocates are expanding their vision by sharing their knowledge across Minnesota.
![Peter Lindstrom at a table with three high schools for Solar for Schools](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/solar-for-schools-demo.jpg?h=16a46314&itok=VdYkDNjA)
Minnesota schools are going solar! A statewide solar initiative is cutting costs, fostering renewable energy education and sparking future careers.
![Four educators stand behind a bin of apples and squash in a colorful, well-lit food shelf](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/231201_19I6160.jpg?h=c95f7c2d&itok=GMyB5zlI)
A partnership effort called SuperShelf is featured in the University of Minnesota’s “Dear Minnesota” campaign.
![Crown rust on a buckthorn leaf.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/crown-rust-buckthorn.jpeg?h=89843f9c&itok=yD5Fm_NA)
Imagine a future in which introducing fungi to a site helps control buckthorn and keeps these aggressive and ecosystem-altering plants in check. Researchers and funders are hoping to make this dream a reality.
![Beef cattle walking into a pasture.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/beef.jpg?h=df2f57e9&itok=IMG7xHpU)
The USDA announced that initial testing of ground beef samples tested negative for H5N1. No virus fragments or whole virus were detected in the meat.
![Milk bottles.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/milk.jpg?h=d350c510&itok=KVy_I0Ym)
FDA testing reaffirms that pasteurization kills the H5N1 virus, and no live, infectious virus has been found in samples. They also tested powdered infant and toddler formulas, cottage cheese and sour cream.
![Brian Raney standing on a frozen lake.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/Brian-Raney-AIS-volunteer.jpg?h=e5b293e2&itok=4qGUo1jR)
Flexible volunteer opportunities allow Raney to tailor his service around his schedule and make contributing to citizen science a regular activity.
![A woman leans in to look at her seedlings under plant lights.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/Sue%20Schiess_1.jpeg?h=4311331b&itok=ezXrYk94)
What do Firecracker dwarf sunflower, Emerald Tower basil, Amazing cauliflower and Sugar Ann snap peas have in common? They’re all varieties that won first place in the U of M Extension Master Gardener seed trials.
![A basket of fresh produce](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/fresh-produce-veggie-rx.jpg?h=e90af28f&itok=vX_BJulW)
Veggie Rx program partners with local clinics and Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to prescribe fresh produce in Scott and Carver counties.
![Sidney L.. Minnesota State 4-H Ambassador](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/Sidney-L.-4-H-state-ambassador-2023-2024.jpg?h=b197d9e4&itok=PQL0NYhS)
The state ambassadors have been busy attending state and national events, gaining valuable experience while representing Minnesota 4-H.
Permission is granted to news media to republish our news articles with credit to University of Minnesota Extension. Images also may be republished; please check for specific photographer credits or limited use restrictions in the photo title.