ORONO – There is still an affordable way to get practical education that will help in a job, business and home. The U.S has a national system for lifelong learning, based in its 100-plus land-grant colleges and universities: Cooperative Extension.

Extension represents the largest publicly supported organization devoted to adult education in the world. Cooperative Extension is the largest outreach unit of Maine’s land-grant and sea-grant institution, the University of Maine.

UMaine Cooperative Extension has 16 county offices offering community-based learning in health, nutrition and food safety; agriculture; small business; youth development; parenting and family relations; environmental sustainability; water quality; gardening and horticulture; pest management; safety and preparedness; and forestry and wildlife. UMaine Extension staff offer workshops and consultations throughout the state, generally for a minimal fee.

UMaine Extension’s newest publications catalog lists hundreds of publications on a variety of subjects. While a few of the heftier ones are more expensive, the majority of them cost less than $2, and many are offered for 50 cents. In addition, many of them can be downloaded at no charge from a home or library computer.

Catalogs are available through county Cooperative Extension offices or by contacting the publications distribution center in Orono at 581-3792.