![A person walking into the front door of a business.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/Walking%20into%20welcoming%20service%20center%2072.jpg?h=9d02f5e9&itok=jFhy5lls)
How can community members across Greater Minnesota work collectively to ensure their towns are welcoming to all residents, regardless of their race, ethnicity, language or other characteristics? The new Creating a Welcoming Community toolkit shares ways to meaningfully and inclusively engage with immigrants, refugees and Black, Indigenous and people of color, so that all feel welcome.
![Somali community and farmers in central Minnesota at a goat farm.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/RSDP%20Halal%20team%20members.jpg?h=8ea0324e&itok=AReB25Kb)
For many Somali community members the consumption of halal meat may be seen as an expression of their Muslim identity. Learn about Extension's goat meat project, a critical partnership in St. Cloud.
![Mary Meyer in radio studio](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/radio-studio.jpg?h=53f77238&itok=gzgDxAe6)
Extension podcasts have become a routine yet engaging way to connect in Minnesota and beyond.
![4-H'er giving a talk about chickens outside](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/girl-showing-chickens-backyard.jpg?h=765a962a&itok=pB0kSxTT)
4-H reaches Minnesota youth in kindergarten through one year past high school. During the COVID-19 era, 4-H educators and volunteers have innovated to keep kids learning and growing.
![food shelf volunteer and Extension educator sorting produce](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/volunteer-and-educator-at-food-shelf.jpg?itok=UDbQ68Xq)
Learn about how food shelves provide healthier options and a better overall experience when they connect with community partners and build relationships with Extension educators.
![Dad and son and daughter. His shirt says "Dads don't babysit. It's called parenting."](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/dad-and-kids-kitchen.jpg?h=d2b48c73&itok=3FF-aHsv)
Dads are relaxed in online sessions and kids are trying healthy new foods, like a quesadilla so delicious a daughter sneaks off with the entire round.
![Woman setting up tomato display](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/woman-tomatoes.jpg?h=76f89590&itok=2R8B6cRy)
Extension’s groundwork in food safety for cottage food producers meant speedy response during COVID-19.
![Extension educator in radio studio](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/antonio-radio-studio.jpg?h=3fcae1c9&itok=YEWiYMfp)
Antonio Alba Meraz, an Extension educator with the Latino Financial Literacy Program, has been helping to fill in the gaps for Minnesota’s Latino audiences.
![Selvik family and piglets.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/family-and-piglets.jpg?h=7b87a478&itok=RG8tG8dR)
Pigs without a market — and farm family children at home to feel the tension — made 2020 a difficult time.
![College student looking at bee on flower](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/teen-looking-at-bee.jpg?h=2c92c81d&itok=IYYimOB1)
Even young college students need opportunities to get involved. When the U of M Twin Cities campus became a certified Bee Campus, freshman Lillian Prybil got to represent students on the Bee Campus committee.
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.