Give Now

Extension for Real Life

Description

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

  • An Eastern mole.

    Critter of the Month: Eastern Mole

  • Food Factor host Natasha Haynes holds a mug of cocoa while standing in a kitchen

    The Food Factor: Quick Hot Cocoa for One

    Many recipes—on The Food Factor and elsewhere—make multiple servings. Typically, I’m a fan of leftovers, but hot chocolate just does not warm up well in my opinion. That’s why I was excited to discover this fast, microwavable option for a single serving.

  • A person wearing yellow gloves using a pair of loppers to prune roses.

    How to Prune Roses

  • A woman stands outdoors on a grassy lawn.

    Cholesterol: What It Is and How to Manage It

    High cholesterol increases your risk of cardiovascular disease (heart disease), which is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Lifestyle change is a key component that can prevent or help manage high cholesterol. 

  • A pen lies on top of a will.

    Do I Need an Estate Plan and Will?

    Death isn’t something we like to think about. I personally would rather concentrate on living, but I learned something recently. Almost everyone needs an estate plan and a will. Spending the time and effort it takes to put your wishes in writing and having it legally declared will save your heirs money, time, and heartache.

  • A slice of chocolate angel food cake on a small saucer with the entire cake on a blue platter in the background

    The Food Factor: Chocolate Angel Food Cake

    Last year, our recipe for Tropical Angel Cake was by far our most popular post. So, when we found this recipe for a different take on angel food cake, we knew we had to try it!

  • Four pots of soil on a blue background.

    February Garden Checklist

    Everyone’s favorite yellow daffodils will be popping up soon and you know what that means! Spring will be here soon! While you wait, there are a few things you can start doing in your yard and garden to get ready for spring.

  • Chicken tortilla soup in a colorful bowl with a small glass bowl of cilantro in the background

    The Food Factor: Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

    In wintertime, I want to come home to a supper that’s ready to eat and will warm me up, inside and out. This spicy soup hits the spot! If you like more zip in your soup, use hot green chiles or hot salsa instead of mild.

    Rinse the canned beans to reduce the sodium in this recipe and keep your broth clear. Don’t forget our handy trick for shredding chicken in a hurry: you can use a hand-held mixer on low speed to shred it!

  • Red fox in a field.

    Critter of the Month: Red Fox

    “What does the fox say?” That’s a question we may never know the answer to, but I’m sure we’ve all heard the song before!

Mississippi State University Extension 130 Bost Drive Mississippi State MS 39762