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Eastern redcedar needles and berries

The Eastern redcedar, scientifically known as Juniperus virginiana, is a versatile and resilient evergreen tree native to North America. 


Soil testing boxes full of soil waiting to be tested.

How to Take a Soil Sample

September 21, 2023

Early fall is one of the best times to test your soil. A soil test can tell you if your lawn or garden needs critical nutrients and how much. This way, your plants and your wallet will stay healthy. You won’t waste your money applying fertilizer or lime that your plants don’t need.

Mighthy Skillet Meal cooking in a skillet on the stove.

The Food Factor: Mighty Skillet Meal

September 20, 2023

When you need a hearty meal in a hurry, this Mighty Skillet Meal fits the bill.

Combine driving on the road.

Road Safety during Harvest Season

September 15, 2023

It’s harvest season, and you’re likely to see large farm equipment on the roads, whether that be bright green combines, red tractors, or anything in between.

A woman stans in a kitchen with fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts and other foods on display.

Cholesterol: Do You Know Your Numbers?

September 12, 2023

Did you know people of all ages can have high cholesterol? High cholesterol can cause heart disease, which can lead to heart attack and stroke. So, it’s important to know your cholesterol levels.

Southern Brown Turkey Fig

Celeste vs. Southern Brown Turkey Figs

September 8, 2023

Figs are in season from July to October. So, now is the perfect time to find some figs to eat and cook with! There are two main fig varieties found in Mississippi: Celeste and Southern Brown Turkey.

A woman stands in a kitchen with a bowl of Fruit Paradise

The Food Factor: Fruit Paradise

September 5, 2023

Fruit Paradise is a quick and easy dish with a delicious tropical sweetness.

Robin.

Bird of the Month: American Robin

September 1, 2023

“Rockin’ robin, tweet-tweedle-lee-dee!” You sang that sentence as you read it, didn’t you?

Orange, purple, and yellow mums.

September Landscape Checklist

August 29, 2023

September is one of my favorite months. The scorching hot temps will soon turn into nice cool weather, and the leaves will start to change colors.

A kale plant grows in a garden.

Keep Your Vegetable Garden Growing This Fall

August 25, 2023

Fall is around the corner, but you don’t have to give up fresh produce from your garden.

Fridge with food in it.

How to Keep Food Safe If You Lose Power

August 23, 2023

Mississippians know how unpredictable the weather can be. One day it’s sunny, and the next there is severe weather in the forecast.

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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