University of Minnesota Extension will present a series of webinars to support families and those who serve families in making informed decisions that lead to greater health, resilience and well-being.

All webinars are virtual (through Zoom) and free. Register online:  https://z.umn.edu/ExtFamWebinars2023Jan-Apr 

Family Friendly Earth Care

Learn more about global health and wellness, including how to eat healthier for the planet, reducing food waste, composting and reducing your family’s carbon footprint. Leave with hands-on activities for all ages that promote wellness through nature.

• Jan. 26, noon – Trees and shrubs for a changing climate

• Feb. 21, noon – Introduction to (virtual) forest bathing

• April 27, noon – Promoting beneficial insects: Natural pest control 

Finding balance

While life is never certain, the last couple of years have stressed our families and communities. Learn from Extension experts in individual and community well-being about how to find balance and flourish – even during life transitions.

• Feb. 1, noon – Grant writing for beginners

• March 9, 1 p.m. – Fostering a positive body image in children

• March 28, noon – Rural resiliency in times of ambiguity 

• April 19, 11:30 a.m. – Ready, set, play: Fun ideas to keep young children moving

• April 25; 1 p.m. – Walking for health, fun and fitness

Later life decision making

A fact of life is that each of us is getting older each year. In addition to having concerns as we age, many of us are also helping our parents and loved ones as they age as well. This webinar series addresses concerns related to housing, finance, caregiving, health and nutrition. 

• Jan. 25, 2 p.m. – Double estate planning for caregivers

• Feb. 22, 11 a.m. – Using storybooks to teach children and adults about Alzheimer’s dementia

• March 7, 14, 21 & 28, 10 a.m. – Book read: “Purposeful Retirement”

• April 25, 1 p.m. – Walking for health, fun and fitnes

Making cents of it all

Learn about educational resources and tools to help families navigate financial choices, including building knowledge and skills around homeownership, credit, budgeting and saving and changing financial needs across the lifespan. We’ll also share culturally appropriate tools and educational resources to support American Indian and Latino communities.

• Feb. 2, 12:15 p.m. – Thrifty Thursday: Building credit with a credit card

• Feb. 7, noon – What do you need to file your taxes?

• Feb. 9, 12:15 p.m. – Thrifty Thursday: Budgeting with a calendar or envelope system

• Feb. 15, 11 a.m. – Taking the fear out of finances

• Feb. 16, 12:15 p.m. – Thrifty Thursday: Budgeting using apps or excel

• Feb. 17, noon – Ideas to manage your debt

• Feb. 23, 12:15 p.m. – Thrifty Thursday: Plugging your spending leaks

• Feb. 24, noon – Stay on a budget while eating healthy

• March 2, noon – Bank accounts: How to choose the most appropriate one according to your needs

• March 7, 1 p.m. – Making ends meet: Inflation-fighting tips

• March 7, 14, 21 & 28, 10 a.m. – Book read: “Purposeful Retirement”

• April 24, noon – Insurance: A way to prevent unnecessary expenses

No place like home

Whether you rent or own your home, Extension educators have tips to make your home and community healthier, affordable and energy efficient. Join us to learn from financial educators, the Clean Energy Resource Team and experts in preparedness. 

• Jan. 18, 3 p.m. – Home sweet home: Addressing hoarding

• Jan. 24, 11:30 a.m. – Re-writing the rural narrative

• Feb. 8, noon – Energy for renters: What you need to know

• March 15, 11:30 a.m. – Supply & demand of rural leadership

• March 31, noon – How to be a good tenant

• April 5, 3 p.m. – Making your home healthier

Recovery and health

Learn about the many ways recovery and health go hand in hand. This series will cover topics of healing through history and show how nutrition and physical activity can support those in recovery. Colleagues from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy in Duluth will join to discuss community solutions to the opioid crisis, including harm reduction and how to save lives from overdoses. 

• Feb. 27, noon – Nutrition in SUD (Substance Use Disorder) recovery

• March 9; 11 a.m. – Harm reduction 101

What’s for dinner?

You make lots of daily decisions and “what’s for dinner?” is a question that can get tiring fast. Learn about healthy eating, meal planning, what to do with garden produce, feeding your family on a budget, and African culinary heritage.

• Feb. 24, noon – Stay on a budget while eating healthy

• Feb. 27, noon – Nutrition in SUD (Substance Use Disorder) recovery

• March 1, noon – The truth about nutrition: Macronutrients

• March 8, noon – The truth about nutrition: Fiber

• March 15, 1 p.m. – The truth about nutrition: Popular diets

• March 22, noon – The truth about nutrition: Healthy eating patterns

• March 29, noon – The truth about nutrition: Intuitive eating and mindful eating

• April 5, 11:30 a.m. – First foods: Feeding infants and toddlers

• April 12, 11:30 a.m. – Choosy eaters: Feeding preschoolers

• April 26, 11:30 a.m. – Cooking with young children