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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

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • Close-up of leaves and pecans ready for harvest on a tree.

    Are Pecan Trees Toxic to Other Plants?

    You may have heard that pecan trees are toxic to some other plants growing nearby. But is this really true? 

  • Wood Duck on a branch over water.

    What are Wood Ducks?

    The wood duck, sometimes called “the bird of the shadows,” is the state duck of Mississippi.

  • Sweet Potatoes

    Harvest of the Month: Sweet Potato

    Sweet potatoes are one of Mississippi’s top 15 commodities, with more than 30,000 acres harvested each year! They are a vegetable loaded with nutrients perfect for a balanced diet.

Mississippi State University Extension 130 Bost Drive Mississippi State MS 39762