2011 ASHS Annual Conference

September 23 - 30, 2011

The national eXtension Initiative officially launched its public web site (www.extension.org) on February 21, 2008, at the USDA Agriculture Outlook Forum in Washington, D.C. Work on this Initiative has been ongoing for several years. In 2005, eight communities of practice (CoPs) were funded to begin identifying and/or developing content for eXtension. Among these pioneer CoPs was one devoted to consumer horticulture that participated in the public launch using a more user-friendly identity of Gardens, Lawns, and Landscapes (GLL). In the last few years, additional horticulture themed CoPs have been developed including: All About Blueberries; Apple Rootstocks and Cultivars; and Grapes.  Other, CoPs exist that relate to horticulture including: Bee Health; eOrganic; Plant Breeding and Genomics; and Wildlife Damage Management.  This workshop will provide information on the formation of many of these CoPs with an emphasis on funding strategies that will help sustain these communities and perhaps launch new ones.