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
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Top tips for deer hunting season
Gear ready? Check.
Hunter’s Safety Course & hunting license? Check.
Know the rules for your hunting spot? Check.
I’ve learned a lot about hunting since marrying into Mississippi 10 years ago. And whenever I really want to score points with my husband, I bring home information from MSU Extension experts. Now everyone can access science-based information whenever they want it, thanks to a new podcast, Deer University!
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From the Field: Are You Feeling Crafty?
We like to think of local Extension offices as community hubs! These are places where you know you can learn from respected experts in a comfortable atmosphere. County Extension offices are also places where you can flex your creative muscle and get crafty! Extension agents across the state offer chances for you to make something fun with your own two hands. Most likely, you will leave with a new handmade project and new friends!
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Three tips for an award-winning lawn
Are you longing for a great looking yard next summer – the kind that wins the neighborhood Yard of the Month award? Well, there are a few things you need to do now to get that lush, green carpet.
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From the Field: Behind the Scenes with “The Food Factor”
Every month “The Food Factor” crew assembles to film the next month’s episodes. This week we were in Clinton to talk about rice, a Mediterranean twist on macaroni and cheese, and our plans to add new, fun flavors to our family favorites.
Our host, Extension agent Natasha Haynes, makes it look easy, but she memorizes all of her lines – no teleprompter here! She’s also a good sport, because you never know what kind of crazy ideas the videographers will generate.
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Real Life Recipe: Italian Ground Beef with Rice
Sometimes when I cook rice, I make too much. Use leftover rice for this fast and easy one-skillet recipe. Be sure to season it to your liking with salt, pepper, and garlic powder or fresh minced garlic! You can also customize it with your favorite vegetables.
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From the Field: Sweet Potatoes Take the Spotlight
Sweet potatoes have been gaining in popularity over the last several decades. No longer are they reserved just for the holiday table, but you can enjoy them year-round as side dishes, desserts, soups and more. Even fast food restaurants have started including sweet potatoes in their menus!
And for good reason. Not only are sweet potatoes tasty, but they are good for you!
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Love local food? Buy Mississippi-grown rice!
If you love buying locally grown foods, you have multiple options for supporting Mississippi rice growers!
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From the Field: This Might Be Corny
All sorts of crops are being harvested this time of year! This past week on social media, we saw a lot of pictures and video of the corn harvest in particular. Why is corn so important to Mississippi? One word: Ka-ching! In 2016, the state’s corn had a $436 million value of production.
In fact, corn is one of the most versatile crops. It can be used in food products, animal feed, industrial products and more!
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Set up a proper workstation to help children avoid injury and chronic pain
Computers can be a pain in the neck – literally. But parents can help children prevent repetitive strain injury by following a few tips from Dr. David Buys, Extension health specialist.
An appropriately configured desk area encourages proper posture. When seated at a computer, both feet should be on the floor and the arms should be at a 45 degree angle to the keyboard.
There is no need to buy a completely new set-up to help children maintain proper posture during those late-night homework assignments. A few smaller purchases and adjustments can help