Getting Help with Consumer Horticulture Questions

Extension offices around the country are often a source for consumer gardening questions.  With recent budget cuts resulting in reduction in staff in many offices, Extension is left with the question, "How do we handle the gardening questions?"  Rather than send the clientele to another source outside of Extension, County office staff can refer them to the eXtension Ask an Expert (AaE) widget located on County home pages, state pages, and other various portals of entry to the University. The AaE program helps to address the issue of not having sufficient staff to answer questions.  Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio have trained Master Gardener volunteers on the AaE widget to be used to assist the Educators and county staff with these consumer gardening questions.  This presentation introduces the AaE system developed through eXtension as well as the logistics involved in training volunteers, managing the system, pitfalls to be aware of, and ensuring that research-based information is used by the volunteers.  Through the use of the AaE project, Extension offices can remain the "face" of consumer horticulture in the state while at the same time, addressing County Extension office needs.