About Ask Extension

Ask Extension: an online site provided by eXtension.org where the public can get one-to-one expert answers from Cooperative Extension System / University staff and volunteers from across the United States. The latest version of this tool expands that one-to-one relationship via the ability to make questions and answers publicly available, on an opt-in basis.

National Cooperative Extension System: a unique partnership of more than 70 universities found in every state and territory throughout the United States. These land-grant universities have as their missions research, teaching, and outreach to Americans.

eXtension: a knowledge-to-action service that is an integral part of the U.S. Cooperative Extension System. eXtension brings the best of the best from these institutions, making knowledge resources available to the public.

How Ask Extension helps

Changes in technology, information culture and individual's expectations have required Extension to provide answers in ways that fit current lifestyles. Ask Extension is an online question-answer tool hosted and supported by National Cooperative Extension (eXtension.org) and state university Extension colleges. Ask Extension s one of eXtension's most valued assets with more than 321,284 questions answered by 6,474 experts since its launch in 2008.

On the surface, Ask Extension serves as an efficient way for Extension to help citizens get answers to their problems. Citizens may submit questions on their own time and attach photos to their submission improving response accuracy and speed, especially with plant identification and diagnosis. On a deeper level, Ask Extension provides a powerful tool that strengthens Extension’s relevancy and value to a certain audience segment, connecting them to their land grant university, its research, and its people.

How Ask Extension works

Ask Extension is a question and answer system which allows Extension professionals and trained volunteers (referred to as experts within the application) to engage with the public through the ask.extension.org website. It is organized around expert-created groups which are based on subject expertise and geographical location. Experts choose to join groups and receive assigned questions submitted to that group’s queue. Each group has a public-facing ask.extension.org landing page available for the public to submit questions. Groups can also install widgets on other sites for question submission.

Experts use the Ask Extension application to reply to the submitter and can engage in a back-and-forth email "conversation' as appropriate. If an expert unable to answer the question, they can re-assign it to another expert in their group.

Some Ask Extension questions are available for public viewing at ask.extension.org. Questions become public when the submitter opts-in and chooses the public option during a question submission. The option to make a question public must be enabled by each group.

About the experts

Our experts are extension educators, specialists, and volunteers who share their knowledge, experience, and expertise by answering citizens' questions using the Ask Extension system. They gain access to Ask Extension by participating in training and setting up set up an eXtension account and profile. A part of their profile, they identify their geographical location and the question topics they feel comfortable answering.

Experts are representing their university and National Cooperative extension. They are expected to provide well-written, accurate research-based information in a timely and professional manner at all times. Misuse of Ask Extension or presentation of inappropriate information or content may result in exclusion from groups, communities, and/or the Ask Extension system.

Experts also join groups related to their state, county and/or expertise when they set up their eXtension account. For example, in Minnesota, the Minnesota Yard & Garden Group is led by horticulture Extension educators Jackie Froemming and Julie Weisenhorn. This group of experts is composed of some 30+ active Master Gardeners.

How experts receive and answer questions

Citizens may submit questions at any time of day via http://ask.extension.org or on a separate website such as the Extension Garden webpage http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/ask/.

When a question is submitted online, the Ask Extension system assigns it to a group member using a round robin system. When the expert is assigned a question, they receive an email notification, click on the link and review the question and any attached images submitted.

If the expert is able to answer the question, they have 48 hours to reply. The response is made through Ask Extension and the submitter receives a personal email from the expert. Links to resources can be included in the body of the answer, connecting citizens to details and further information about the subject. The submitter and expert may both make multiple follow-ups if needed, and the exchange is captured within Ask Extension.

New horticulture experts wanted!

Ask Extension is a busy online tool – especially during the Minnesota growing season – so volunteers are welcomed and encouraged to participate in this volunteer activity. Extension educators, specialists, and volunteers are welcome to become part of the Ask Extension at U of MN Extension and answer citizens' gardening questions using this online tool. In addition to helping people, every question presents the opportunity for volunteers to learn something new. Experts have the opportunity to identify plants or insects that are new to them, learn about new resources, and hone their skills on crafting a really good answer. Experts also can reach out to fellow Ask Extension U of MN Master Gardeners (MN-AAMG) via a private listserv for help.

Interested in learning more?

Contact Jackie Froemming, Extension Educator and MN-AAMG Leader, at froem022@umn.edu.