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Water dripping from faucet

Colder weather is just around the corner! Do you have a plan to winterize your home for when freezing temperatures arrive? Preparing your home for the cold not only ensures comfort, but also helps protect your home from damage. 


Black swallowtail caterpillar on a plant.

Larval Plants for Mississippi Caterpillars

April 21, 2023

Did you know that certain plants provide food to certain butterflies? Just like adult and baby humans eat different things, the same applies to butterflies!

A woman in a kitchen.

The Food Factor: Tuna Melt Burger

April 18, 2023

This Tuna Melt Burger is great for lunch or dinner, and it's easy cleanup!

Storm clouds.

Know the Difference: Watch vs. Warning

April 14, 2023

In Mississippi, we’ve taken our fair share of hard hits from severe weather lately. The tornados that ripped through the Delta and North Mississippi have changed lives forever. With hurricane season looming just behind tornado season, it’s important to understand the differences in two common weather alerts: watches and warnings. 

A woman stands in a kitchen.

4 Tips to Navigate Food Allergies

April 11, 2023

Millions of Americans have food allergies. While some may outgrow food allergies, many others do not. Food allergies are common in young children and tend to appear during the first or second year of life. Check out the tips I use to help me navigate as a mom of a child with food allergies.

Two lambs stand along side a sheep in a pasture as the sun rises in the distance.

What’s the Difference Between Lambs and Sheep

April 6, 2023

Some people use lamb and sheep interchangeably to identify the animal, but they aren’t exactly the same thing. So, what’s the difference between them? Yes, lambs are baby sheep -- that’s the main distinction. But here are some other differences between the two:

A woman stands in a kitchen.

The Food Factor: South of the Border Dip

April 3, 2023

South of the Border Dip is quick and easy to whip up. You probably have all the ingredients in your kitchen!

White daisies.

April Landscape Tasks

March 31, 2023

After an unseasonal cold snap in March, spring has officially started and the warmer weather is here to stay– at least for a little while. Hopefully, the cold didn’t damage your plants! Working on your yard is a great excuse to spend time outside now that the weather is nice. Here are a few things you can work on in your landscape for the month of April:

Hummingbird next to red flowers.

Bird of the Month: Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

March 28, 2023

Everyone loves Ruby-throated hummingbirds! I have fond memories of watching these hummingbirds visit the many feeders my grandparents put out each year. You probably have a similar story! Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures, with their bold-colored feathers and fast-fluttering wings.

Canned goods at a farmers market.

What to Know About Selling at a Farmers Market

March 24, 2023

Have you considered becoming a vendor at your local farmers market? It’s important to do some research, check regulations, and make a plan before you begin a business or begin selling your products at one.

These tips can help you create a plan for selling at farmers markets and other similar venues.

A woman stands in a kitchen and holds a jar of red wine vinaigrette.

The Food Factor: Red Wine Vinaigrette

March 21, 2023

If you like vinaigrette on your salad or as a marinade, give this homemade Red Wine Vinaigrette a try.

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About Extension for Real Life

Extension for Real Life is a product of the MSU Extension Service’s Office of Agricultural Communications.

That’s a long way of saying we are professional communicators who get to talk about food, families, 4-H, flowers, and farming for a living.

Blog content is created by a core team of communicators, including Susan Collins-Smith, Ellen Graves, Natasha Haynes, Qula Madkin, Michaela Parker, and Jonathan Parrish. But we get by with a lot of help from our friends in Ag Comm and Extension!

You can reach us at 662-325-2262 or extreallife@msstate.edu