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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

  • A woman stands in a kitchen with a bowl of rice pilaf posing for the camera.

    The Food Factor: Brown Rice Pilaf with Sage, Walnuts and Dried Fruit

    Savor the flavors of fall in this rice pilaf dish, made with dried fruit and sage.

  • Red and Yellow Poinsettias

    Plants Perfect for the Holidays

    If you’re like me, you’re starting to think about your holiday plans. How will I decorate for Thanksgiving and Christmas? What will I gift my friends and family during this festive season? Plants make perfect gifts and add a nice touch to your holiday decor.

  • A woman standing at a kitchen counter smiles at the camera.

    Dining with Diabetes: Can It Help You?

    Have you have been diagnosed with diabetes? Do you live with or care for someone with diabetes? Or do you just want to learn how to eat healthier? If you answered yes to any of these questions, MSU Extension’s Dining with Diabetes program is for you.

  • a closeup of a person taking $20 dollar bills out of a wallet

    5 Tips to Manage Holiday Spending

    If the gift-giving season is more stressful than cheerful for you, don’t panic. Get prepared! These tips can help you manage your spending this holiday season.

  • A woman stands in front of the stove with a bowl of Catfish Gumbo.

    The Food Factor: Catfish Gumbo

    Catfish doesn’t have to be fried to be delicious! Enjoy it simmered in this tasty gumbo to get the protein, vitamins, and minerals without the added fat from frying.

  • Red-Headed WoodPecker

    Bird of the Month: Red-Headed Woodpecker

    Many birds aren’t as easy to identify as red-headed woodpeckers. With their bright red head and neck feathers and loud pecking noise, they surely know how to make their presence known!

  • A person putting mulch on a flower bed.

    November Landscape Checklist

    We’ve almost made it to the end of the year. Isn’t that hard to believe? As we start to wrap up the year, take some time to think back on all you’ve accomplished in your yard and landscape.

  • A redbird sits on a platform bird feeder full of black oil sunflower seeds.

    How to Choose a Bird Feeder

    Want your feathered friends to have a supplemental source of food this winter? Set out a bird feeder for them. There are many types of bird feeders, but they are not all created equal. Check out the common types of feeders and decide which ones will work best in your yard.

  • Canned vegetables.

    Canned vs. Fresh vs. Frozen Produce

    When buying produce, there are several different routes you can choose––you can buy fresh, frozen, or canned.

Mississippi State University Extension 130 Bost Drive Mississippi State MS 39762