Welcome to our new website! We are actively working to add missing content and fix broken links, so please check back throughout the week. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Donate

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 behind a kitchen counter of breakfast toast and toppings.

    Let’s Do Breakfast!

    Don’t think of breakfast as a meal that has to take a long time to prepare. One of my favorite breakfast meals is toast. I start with whole-grain toasted bread as my foundation to build a healthy meal with lots of fun, tasty, and nutritious toppings. 

  • Fall Webworms

    What are Fall Webworms?

    If you’ve noticed spiderwebs in your pecan trees, chances are they’re not spiders. They’re fall webworms.

    Fall webworms are partial to pecan and persimmon trees but will also feed on other trees, including Bradford pears.

  • a bowl of uncooked rice

    Rice Recipe Roundup

    It’s September and that means it’s National Rice Month! Try some of these recipes to celebrate.

  • Nine-banded armadillo

    Critter of the Month: Nine-Banded Armadillo

    Armadillos are one of the most unique looking critters out there. These animals are covered in silver, armor-like plates that protect them The word “armadillo” actually means “little armored one” in Spanish!  

  • Fire ants

    Debunking Fire Ant Control Home Remedies

    Everyone loves a good myth buster, and we have a very timely one for you! Fire ant beds in your yard can be such a headache to deal with. Many people have used home remedies to control ants. But are those quick fixes really getting rid of the ants in your yard? Let’s take a look at some commonly used home remedies and whether or not they work! 

  • Purple, pink, and orange mums.

    September Garden Checklist

    With the fall season slowly creeping in, there are many things to look forward to, including the drop in temperature. I enjoy watching the leaves change color and drop, too. That also means now is a great time to pull out your rakes, garbage bags, and compost bins and prepare to remove the leaves in your yard! Here are a few other things for you to accomplish in your garden and landscape during the month of September. 

  • sliced bell peppers and cucumbers on a plate

    The Food Factor: Spinach Dip Makeover

    Whether you are tailgating or celebrating your favorite team at home this fall, food is always a part of the festivities. If you want to have some lighter fare at your gathering, this Spinach Dip Makeover will fit perfectly.

  • Two girls coloring.

    How to Help Children Cope with the Pandemic

    With the uptick in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant, it’s not uncommon to hear of loved ones and friends who have been infected or who are in quarantine due to exposure. Children, especially, may be confused, worried, and afraid about classmates, friends, and family members who are sick.

  • Blueberries ripen on a bush.

    The Food Factor: Blueberry Baked Oatmeal

    School is back in session, and mornings can be hectic. But you don’t have to put breakfast on the back burner. If you are looking for a way to make your morning routine a bit easier, check out this blueberry oatmeal dish.

Mississippi State University Extension 130 Bost Drive Mississippi State MS 39762