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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 various root vegetables on the counter.

    4 Ways to Cook Root Vegetables

    The sun is setting sooner, the nights are getting cooler, and some of our produce looks a little spookier. Don’t be spooked by fall produce, especially root vegetables. Try some of these tasty ways to prepare them!

  • Students in green shirts posing for a picture.

    What is 4-H?

    One of the best kept secrets out there is 4-H!

  • A woman in a kitchen smiles and holds a forkful of salad up for the camera.

    The Food Factor: Fall Harvest Salad

    It's finally fall, and this healthy, simple salad is a great way to celebrate the new season!

  • A rake in orange leaves.

    October Landscape Checklist

    As of September 23, it’s officially fall! Cue the pumpkins, apple cider, and bonfires! The weather normally takes a while to realize that it’s actually fall but isn’t this cooler weather glorious!

  • Tufted Titmouse

    Bird of the Month: Tufted Titmouse

    The tufted titmouse is a bird you’ve likely seen in parks, woodlands, and in your back yard. They’re native to the eastern parts of the United States and are attracted to areas where there is an abundance of broadleaf trees, such as oaks, hickories, and maples. 

  • Soil testing boxes full of soil waiting to be tested.

    How to Take a Soil Sample

    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

    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

    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?

    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.

Mississippi State University Extension 130 Bost Drive Mississippi State MS 39762