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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

  • School lunchbox packed with nutritious foods surrounded by colorful school supplies

    Back-to-School: How to Stock the Kitchen

    Pop Quiz: Is your kitchen ready for nutritious and fuss-free back-to-school snacks and meals?

  • Asian Lady Beetle

    How to Prep for Asian Lady Beetles

    Now is the time to outsmart Asian lady beetles—yes, in the middle of summer! You’re probably thinking, “Aren’t those a problem in winter? Can’t I just deal with them when the time comes?”

  • Green Tree Frog

    Species of the Month: Green Tree Frog

    Who’s that green climber? The green tree frog, or Hyla cinerea, is a striking green frog with sticky pads on its toes.

  • Concept of an imcoming call from an unknown number. Hand holding a cell phone.

    How to Spot a Scam

    These days scammers can take advantage of you in several ways—emails, texts messages, phone calls, social media platforms, and traditional mail. Scammers want your money, your personal information, or both. But you can help protect yourself by understanding some of the most common warning signs of scams.

  • Seasoning beings sprinkled on veggies in a pan

    Salt-Free Seasoning Blends

    Reducing sodium intake is a mindful choice, but it doesn’t mean your meals have to be bland. Salt-free cooking can be flavorful, refreshing, and fun.  

  • Ears of Corn

    Harvest of the Month: Corn

    It’s my favorite time of year because sweet corn is in season! Corn is one of my favorite vegetables and is a food I eat on repeat during summer months.

  • A woman stands in a kitchen with strawberries on a cutting board.

    How to Add More Berries to Your Diet

    Celebrate National Blueberry Month with these tips to help you add more berries to your diet.

  • Gulf Coast Tick shown above ruler.

    Species Spotlight: Ticks

    As warmer weather lures us outside for yardwork, hiking, and family picnics, it’s important to stay alert for ticks.As warmer weather lures us outside for yardwork, hiking, and family picnics, it’s important to stay alert for ticks.As warmer weather lures us outside for yardwork, hiking, and family picnics, it’s important to stay alert for ticks.

  • Mosquito on hand

    Tips to Reduce Mosquitos

    Itch, itch. Scratch, scratch! Mosquito season is alive and well here in Mississippi. These insects are most active when the temperatures are above 50°F, meaning they’re here in the South for a good chunk of the year.

  • Beaver with log in his mouth.

    How to Identify White-Tailed Deer and Beaver Tracks

    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.

Mississippi State University Extension 130 Bost Drive Mississippi State MS 39762