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Beaver with log in his mouth.

Have you ever been on a walk in the woods, park, or backyard and noticed animal tracks in the mud or dirt? Some tracks are easy to identify, while others are a bit harder to tell which animal they belong to.


Milk is poured from a jug into a glass.

How to Enjoy Dairy with Lactose Intolerance

June 23, 2025

Do you love milk but have problems digesting it? These tips may help you increase your tolerance for dairy.

A woman stands in a park.

4 Tips for Safe Summer Play

June 20, 2025

Summer is a wonderful time to explore, play outside, and create memories, but take some steps to make your adventures safe.

Homesteading: Backyard Chickens

June 19, 2025

I’ve often heard it said, “If you want to start a homestead, you’ve got to start with chickens.” Raising backyard poultry seems like a great idea when you see those adorable baby chicks at the co-op, but there are several important factors to consider before jumping in.

Blueberries

Harvest of the Month: Blueberries

June 18, 2025

Fresh blueberries are a classic summer treat! I especially love grabbing a bag of fresh blueberries from my local farmer’s market. 

Watermelons

Tips to Pick a Perfect Watermelon

June 6, 2025

Sweet summertime is almost here! Nothing says sweet summertime quite like snacking on a delicious slice of watermelon. 

A woman holds a glass of strawberry gree tea in a kitchen.

The Food Factor: Strawberry Green Tea

June 5, 2025

Strawberry Green Tea is a refreshing blend that combines earthy, tangy, and sweet flavors you will surely enjoy! I hope you enjoy this final recipe I’ll share with you as The Food Factor comes to a close after nearly 11 years.

Person on a green ATV

ATV Safety Tips

June 2, 2025

Riding ATVs is a blast! If you do it safely! If you want to have fun and lower the risk of having an accident, here are 10 safety tips to follow.

Tall grass grows in a field.

Species Spotlight: Chiggers

May 27, 2025

What’s that itch? Chiggers, also known as redbugs, are tiny mites that can cause significant discomfort during the warmer months in Mississippi. Here's how to lessen your chances of coming into contact with these critters and some tips if you do.

three rows of lettuce grow in a garden

How to Manage Slugs in the Vegetable Garden

May 23, 2025

If you grow your own vegetables, you will likely see at least a few pesky insects that want to feed on your plants. Slugs are one of the pests you may be noticing now.

Jars of home canned pickled vegetables

Home Canning FAQs

May 20, 2025

Are you planning to can fruits and vegetables this year? Don’t just wing it. Planning and preparation are important first steps.

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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