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 close-up of honey-cranberry granola bars that shows in fine detail the oats and cranberries.

    The Food Factor | Homemade Honey-Cranberry Granola Bars

    Making my own snacks gives me complete control over the ingredients. I love to use local honey in this recipe for homemade granola bars, which are lower in calories than most store-bought options, and are high in fiber. And the cranberries give this snack that sweet-tart combination I enjoy. (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)
  • A round peanut butter and jelly sandwich sits on a white plate. It is decorated to look like a turkey, with green, red, and yellow apple slices for feathers, chocolate chips for eyes, cheese for a nose and legs, and a small bit of bacon for a wattle. The plate sits on a multicolored floral placemat.

    Thanksgiving Fun for Kids

    Thanksgiving season, while full of fun, laughter, and family, can also be hectic. Having small children can add to both the joy and the craziness. (Photo by Michaela Parker/Cindy Callahan)
  • A group of people stand behind a waist-high, elevated raised gardening bed full of green potato foliage.

    Salad Table Success

    Not into conventional gardening? A salad table just may be for you.

    With these elevated gardening beds, you can grow fresh vegetables and herbs throughout the year right at your fingertips. These tables work well in small spaces and eliminate the physical demands of an in-ground garden. (Photo courtesy of Carla Moore)
  • A thin, eight-point buck stands beside a wall with drool coming from his mouth.

    Chronic Wasting Disease: What You Need to Know

    Hunting is a Big Deal in our family, and the news in mid-October that a second deer in Mississippi had tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD, was met with dismay. (Photo by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism/Michael Hopper)
  • A mixture of diced onions, green and red bell peppers, scrambled eggs, and shredded cheese on a flour tortilla.

    The Food Factor | Breakfast Burritos

    I’m always looking for ways to make healthy eating easier! This recipe for breakfast burritos makes eight tasty treats you can easily freeze for a low-cost, protein-filled breakfast on the go! (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)
  • Three adult males stand outside a building.

    Behind the Scenes at Extension Annual Conference

    Every year Mississippi State University Extension administration, faculty, agents, and staff gather to celebrate exemplary programs, honor contributions to Extension’s mission, and to discuss the vision for Extension’s future. (Photo by Micheala Parker)
  • Roasted and seasoned broccoli florets, sweet potato chunks, and whole baby carrots on a foil covered sheet pan.

    The Food Factor | Easy Roasted Veggies

    Some days it’s hard to get all of my daily servings of fruits and vegetables. One way I’ve found to solve this problem is roasting an assortment of vegetables in the oven. I get to choose my favorite seasonal vegetables, which are usually more affordable. I love the texture and flavor of roasted vegetables too. (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)
  • Hands spoon a ground meat and riced cauliflower mixture into a raw green bell pepper held over a stainless steel bowl.

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Bell Peppers

    The days are getting shorter, and if you’re like me, you don’t always feel like cooking when you get home -- but you don’t want to eat fast food either. (Photo by Jonathan Parrish/Cindy Callahan)
  • Black and white Hostein cows and light brown Jersey cows graze on green grass.

    From the Field: Where Does Milk Come From?

    On a rainy day in early autumn, hundreds of people packed into the Mississippi State University Joe Bearden Dairy Center to learn where their milk, butter, yogurt, and ice cream come from. (File Photo by Kat Lawrence)
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Extension for Real Life