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A woman at a farmers market

Shopping at your local farmers market is a great way to add more nutritious foods to your diet, eat in-season produce, and support and connect with local farmers and the agriculture industry.


Bowl of Taco-mac, ground beef and macaroni dish.

The Food Factor: Quick Taco-Mac

March 13, 2020

The Food Factor crew loves quick and easy weeknight recipes, especially if they have a little kick. This Quick Taco-Mac is a one-skillet meal that you can adjust to suit your own taste preferences.

Pair of hands holding the power cord and an unplugged smart phone.

How to Clean Your Smartphone

March 10, 2020

Smartphones and tablets are a source of germs. Most of us know to wash our hands, but when was the last time you cleaned your smartphone?

A census worker wearing a black hat and coat walking up to a house.

Tips for Protecting Yourself from Census Scams

March 6, 2020

You may have heard 2020 is the year for the federal census. When you participate, you help Mississippi get a more accurate representation for all kinds of programs that impact daily living. 

A red bird water feeder hanging on a tree.

How to Attract Birds to your Landscape

March 3, 2020

I can remember watching the birds at my grandparents’ house growing up. We would sit on the porch swing with a bird identification book in hand, and watch the birds fly up to the bird feeders and bird bath in the yard. 

A bowl of salad with shrimp on top.

Tips for Meal Prep Storage

February 27, 2020

Meal planning and prepping is all the craze these days. It’s one of the easiest ways to be intentional about what you eat and helps you stick to a healthy diet. It’s also a great way for you to save time and moneyMeal planning and prepping is all the craze these days. It’s one of the easiest ways to be intentional about what you eat and helps you stick to a healthy diet. 

A closeup of a person with white gloves planting cabbage.

Gardening Tasks for March

February 21, 2020

The first two months of 2020 have been exceptionally wet and dreary. But don’t lose hope, spring is right around the corner! The daffodils are blooming, and warmer days are in sight. 

Corn chowder in colorful bowl

The Food Factor: Ten-Minute Corn Chowder

February 21, 2020

Who says soup takes a long time to cook? When it’s cold outside and you want a quick, satisfying soup for supper, try this Ten-Minute Corn Chowder. I love the combination of sweet and savory flavors, and it features ingredients I usually have on hand. I like to stock up on frozen corn kernels when they’re on sale and toss them in a variety of wintery stews and soups.

A person pruning a tree branch with red shears.

How to Prune Apple and Pear Trees

February 18, 2020

Although we still have some cold weather in store, now is the time to start thinking about pruning. Late winter and early spring are the times to prune fruit trees, including apple and pear trees. 

berry cobbler in a bowl.

The Food Factor: Slow Cooker Berry Cobbler

February 14, 2020

Most of us think of using the slow cooker for soups, stews, or budget-friendly cuts of meat, but the slow cooker can also make desserts!

Fruit-based desserts help keep your sweet treats on the healthier side through fiber, vitamins, and natural sugars. This recipe comes together very quickly and if you buy berries on sale, you’ll typically have the ingredients on hand for last-minute get-togethers. And it makes your house smell wonderful!

A close up picture of a person's foot stepping on a scale.

Tips for a Healthy Heart

February 11, 2020

Did you know February is Heart Health Month? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that around 647,000 Americans die from heart disease each year. That’s one in every four deaths! 

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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