Extension Ask An Expert—A Convenient Tool for State and Local Extension Programs

The Cooperative Extension Service has developed a platform called eXtension (pronounced e-extension) that interlinks personnel at land grant institutions and provides tools for disseminating Web-based and other digital information.  One component of eXtension is the Ask an Expert application.  Ask an Expert allows clients to post a question through a simple Web form.  The question is routed to an expert (Extension staff or Extension Master Gardener volunteer) who answers the question and the answer is routed back to the client through an email message.  Questions and answers may be added to a growing database of frequently asked questions.  The Gardens, Lawns and Landscapes section of www.eXtension.org, hosted by the Consumer Horticulture community of practice, answered over 5,500 incoming questions through Ask an Expert in 2009.  This corresponded to ~40% of the total questions answered through eXtension Ask an Expert.  An Ask an Expert widget is also now available that allows local Extension staff to receive questions directly from local clientele.  This paper will describe some of the features of both Ask an Expert and the Ask an Expert widget, and discuss the possible uses of these tools by local Extension staff.