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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

  • Two piles of clothes. One with donate on it, the other with keep.

    Tips for Decluttering Your Home

    It’s time to get something off my chest. I have a hard time throwing things away. You may be like me as well. I’m a sentimental person and struggle with letting go of items I am attached to.

  • Frozen plants.

    How to Protect Plants During Winter

    One sudden drop in the temperature can unfortunately damage many of your tender landscape plants. Make sure the freezing temperatures do not harm your plants by taking a few preventative measures.

  • Red Generator

    How to Safely Use a Generator

    You never know when a weather emergency will happen and cause you to lose power. Whether it be from ice, tornadoes, or hurricanes, you could potentially find yourself without power for days. When severe weather hits, a generator is very beneficial to have handy. When using gas-powered generators, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • A thin stream of water drips from a stainless steel kitchen sink faucet.

    How to Properly Drip a Water Faucet

    Fortunately, we live in a state that doesn’t see a lot of bitterly cold winter weather. However, it can still get cold, even in the Deep South. When the weather forecast shows temperatures staying below freezing for several days, be prepared to drip your indoor faucets to keep your pipes from freezing and possibly breaking. 

  • Person picking up trash.

    Volunteer with Extension!

    As a new year begins, many people are looking for ways to make a positive difference in our communities. Did you know MSU Extension has a variety of volunteer opportunities? 

  • Asphalt road with "Fresh Start 2026" text written on the highway surface at sunset. Low angle view of a street against a golden sunrise.

    4 Tips to Reset for the New Year

    Are you ready to hit the reset button for yourself and make healthy habits a priority? 

  • Man stressed out looking at a Christmas tree.

    Managing Holiday Stress

    The holidays are painted as bright, sparkly, and magical, but that’s not always reality.

  • Fresh oranges, grapes and greenery arranged on a table surrounded by festive decorations and gifts, creating a warm holiday atmosphere with vibrant colors

    Tips for a Sustainable Holiday Season

    The holidays bring parties, fun decorations, extra time with friends and family—and trash. A lot of trash. 

  • To-go containers of food and sauces on a table

    Leftover Food Safety

    Raise your hand if you love Thanksgiving leftovers! There’s nothing I love more than leaving our family’s Thanksgiving gathering and being told to fix myself a to-go plate. And by plate, I mean two or three!

Mississippi State University Extension 130 Bost Drive Mississippi State MS 39762