UMN Extension Community Development

09/04/2026

We can't wait for this month's Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities conference in St. Joseph, and we're so grateful to the sponsors that made it possible. Initiative Foundation, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University, Greater St. Cloud, Great River Energy Compeer Financial
(Haven't registered yet? There's still time! Visit z.umn.edu/CEC2026.)

09/03/2026

🏠 The housing shortage across rural Minnesota also creates a labor shortage—making it harder to recruit new residents. Join us Thursday, Sept. 10 to hear more about the dynamics related to moving in, moving out, and moving over as it relates to active living and workforce housing. https://z.umn.edu/bji1

09/02/2026

🎙️ Season three of Extension's Side by Side podcast is here! In our latest episode, host Ellen Wolter talks with Minneapolis-based documentary photographer Drew Arrieta and Springboard for the Arts rural director Michele Anderson about the Art of Rural-Urban Solidarity project.
https://z.umn.edu/SidebySideArrietaandAnderson

08/26/2026

Still haven't registered for next month's Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) conference in St. Joseph? There's still time! Registration closes Thursday, Sept. 10. For more info about the event and to register, visit z.umn.edu/CEC2026.
City of St. Joseph, MN Visit Joetown Greater St. Cloud Initiative Foundation College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University

08/25/2026

Passionate about community tourism development? Our colleagues at the Tourism Center are hiring a statewide specialist!

📣 The Tourism Center is hiring! We're excited to announce an opening for a Statewide Specialist of Community Tourism Development. This position will lead the Tourism Center's portfolio of work in community tourism development and contribute to the strategic priorities of the Center and Extension's Department of Community Development.
📅 Application deadline: Thursday, Sept. 24
🔗 View the job posting: https://z.umn.edu/TourismSpecialist
📧 Questions? Contact Dr. Xinyi Qian, Tourism Center director, at [email protected].

08/24/2026

Today's leaders are navigating a landscape defined by uncertainty, polarization, and rapid change. Here's how four leaders are using skills they've learned during Extension's leadership training to address their biggest challenges.

University of Minnesota Extension’s leadership programs equip leaders with the skills to respond to today’s challenges while also building trust, fostering collaboration and creating long-term solutions.

08/20/2026

📢 Early bird registration for next month's Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities conference in St. Joseph ends tomorrow, Aug. 21! Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to connect with—and learn from—peers across the state who are building support for entrepreneurs in their own communities. z.umn.edu/CEC2026
📸: Fines Aerial Imaging, LLC
City of St. Joseph, MN Visit Joetown Greater St. Cloud Initiative Foundation College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University

08/18/2026

When a major highway construction project began last summer in Hackensack, Minnesota, Kris Biessener knew the community needed to act — and sooner rather than later. Hackensack Visitors Center

Community leaders knew road closures and detours may reduce visitors and affect local businesses. Learn how their planning kept residents informed and made visitors feel welcome.

08/14/2026

The schedule for next month's Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities conference in St. Joseph is now available! We've got four great breakout session tracks to help spark ideas in your community:
💡 Entrepreneur resources
🌱 Future builders
📍 Place-based storytelling
🎨 Innovation and creative economy
For more info about the agenda and to register, visit https://z.umn.edu/CEC2026.
📸: Fines Aerial Imaging, LLC
City of St. Joseph, MN Visit Joetown Greater St. Cloud Initiative Foundation College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University

08/12/2026

A great event by our colleagues at the Tourism Center! (And a bonus—Dr. Eydie Kramer, a public health scholar at the University, will also lead a hands-on community art activity, inviting participants to reflect on belonging, access, and connection to water.)

Join us for an interactive community event at UROC University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center on Aug. 26 from 5:30-7 p.m. to explore how Minnesotans perceive and experience water-based recreation along the North Shore. The Tourism Center's Dr. Ami Choi will present findings from a joint research project with UMN - Department of Forest Resources and funded by Minnesota Sea Grant. https://uroc.umn.edu