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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 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.

  • A woman stands in a park.

    4 Tips for Safe Summer Play

    Summer is a wonderful time to explore, play outside, and create memories, but take some steps to make your adventures safe.

  • Homesteading: Backyard Chickens

    I’ve often heard it said, “If you want to start a homestead, you’ve got to start with chickens.” Raising backyard poultry seems like a great idea when you see those adorable baby chicks at the co-op, but there are several important factors to consider before jumping in.

  • Blueberries

    Harvest of the Month: Blueberries

    Fresh blueberries are a classic summer treat! I especially love grabbing a bag of fresh blueberries from my local farmer’s market. 

  • Watermelons

    Tips to Pick a Perfect Watermelon

    Sweet summertime is almost here! Nothing says sweet summertime quite like snacking on a delicious slice of watermelon. 

  • A woman holds a glass of strawberry gree tea in a kitchen.

    The Food Factor: Strawberry Green Tea

    Strawberry Green Tea is a refreshing blend that combines earthy, tangy, and sweet flavors you will surely enjoy! I hope you enjoy this final recipe I’ll share with you as The Food Factor comes to a close after nearly 11 years.

Mississippi State University Extension 130 Bost Drive Mississippi State MS 39762