eXtension Nareee Presentation 2009

New for Cooperative Extension:New for Cooperative Extension:

eXtensioneXtension

National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education and Economics Advisory Board

Carey A. Williams, Ph.D.

Rutgers, the State University of NJOctober 29, 2009

eXtensioneXtension extends

the reach of

Cooperative

Extension through

the development of a

national network

providing access to

objective, science-

based information

from land-grant

universities and

partners

nationwide…

www.extension.org

Communities of PracticeCommunities of Practice– Virtual network

– Multi-institutional

– Multi-disciplinary

– Open (new members)

– Fluid and flexible

– Evolve over time

– Responsive to Communities of Interest

46 Communities of Practice46 Communities of Practice

• 5 new teams are organizing

– Invasive Species (Northeast)

– Teen Leadership (1890’s)

– Animal Welfare (North Central)

– Community Health (Southern)

– Sustainable Living (Western)

System Wide InvolvementSystem Wide Involvement

• 11,400+ eXtension IDs

• 2,500 involved in Communities of Practice

• 41,500+ Frequently Asked Questions

• 1,500+/- Ask an Expert Questions Monthly

• 77 Institutions represented

Impact of eXtensionImpact of eXtension

HorseQuestHorseQuest

• First COP to go ‘public’ in Nov. 2006

• Now we have 65 experts from 38

institutions

• Site includes:• Basic Information, FAQs, Learning Modules, Web

Chats & Webinars with Experts, Hot Topics, News

and Calendar Events

• Today:

– 1,572 articles & 1,039 FAQs

Ask and Expert Findings and Directions

Science-based/TrustedScience-based/Trusted• What the clientele said:

“I am glad to have my other research confirmed however by a trustworthy source.”

“I got a reply that, although not what I wanted to hear, I trusted”

“I had a very prompt reply, with very accurate information plus direction to a paper.”

“A Google search provided an answer but I needed someone with authority and experience to corroborate...”

ImportanceImportance• What the clientele said:

“I was worried about food safety for my family if I planted my vegetable garden as planned.”

“Squirrels have been eating my house. We tried several suggestions, and the situation is improving.”

“He gave practical information about how to decide what is best for my family, as opposed to necessarily doing what's best for the tree. Very helpful.”

Speed of ResponseSpeed of Response• What the clientele said:

“I didn’t expect an answer so quickly. In the matter of an hour or so...the response was very helpful. I am thrilled with this service”

“The answer was well-written and included even more information that I had expected.”

“My suggestion would be that if you are going to provide this question and answer service, you need  to respond in a timely fashion (within 2 days)”

HorseQuestHorseQuest• My involvement:

– Forage learning modules in Moodle

– On-line Chats & Webinars

– Ask the Expert questions

– Contributing to other content areas

– ‘Best of the Best’ documents

– Attend annual meetings and help with overall

organization and content decisions

HorseQuestHorseQuest• What can it do for me?

– Promotion and tenure (scholarship)

– Learned new technology (e.g., Wiki, Moodle)

– Get more nationally involved

– Share materials (help with Peer Review)

– Be a part of the “Future of Extension”

– Leaving a legacy (e.g., content, programs)

– Network with other equine specialists

HorseQuestHorseQuest• How is it benefiting my clientele?

– Many learning modules are based on routine questions• Now answers are right at their fingertips

– Provides source of information from experts nationwide

– Better peer reviewed materials, “Best of the Best”

– Sharing work with others benefits other states

– Good way to meet other like me to help broaden my knowledge

eXtension National ConferenceeXtension National Conference“I have to say that I have been to a lot of conferences in my lifetime, but this one was the most intriguing, stimulating, and valuable I have ever attended. I told a few people that early on I was describing eXtension as something like ‘bringing Cooperative Extension up to speed’, but this is far beyond that…extremely well thought-out, disciplined while being flexible, creative, purposeful. I believe the work being done here is the most significant work since the creation of the Land Grant System itself, and absolutely critical to it’s future. Not only does it open doors we never dreamed of for education on cooperatives, but it can enable us do a lot of other things much better I want to see how we as a farmer-owned company can utilize this resource.”  William J. Nelson, PresidentCHS Foundation

AwardsAwards

• Secretary’s Honor Award

– October 2008

– Honored team

– National recognition of

initiative

– Recognized

CSREES/USDA’s support

– Opened door to wider

recognition with funders, etc.

Thank You!Thank You!

Carey Williams, Ph.D.

Equine Extension Specialist

Rutgers University

http://www.extension.org/horses