For nearly 20 years, Ask Extension has connected people with Cooperative Extension experts and Master Gardener volunteers who answer questions about gardens, landscapes, pests, food and farms. We’re rebuilding the platform behind it so we can keep improving the service faster, and we’re building it around what you’ve told us.
What’s changing, and what isn’t
What stays the same: You’ll still ask questions, and real people at your state’s Extension service will still answer them and Ask Extension remains free.
What carries over: All expert accounts, groups, past questions and answers, and images move to the new system. Nothing is lost.
What’s changing: The system underneath is new. That means a refreshed look, and improvements you’ve asked for, but the overall question flow and functionality will stay the same.
Built on your feedback
Before writing a line of code, we asked the people who use Ask Extension every day:
- 62 experts and volunteers answered our expert survey
- 73 clients told us about their experience asking questions
- 27 ideas were posted and voted on in our public feedback board
- Experts from across the country joined a live working session in October
Clients told us they’re very happy with the answers they get. 90% are satisfied, and nearly all want a real person to answer their questions. Experts told us where the current system slows them down. Both groups shaped the plan.
Improvements we’re working on
These come straight from the feedback. Exact features and timing may change as we build.
For people asking questions:
- Easier photo uploads, including from phones
- A way to find answers to similar questions before you submit
- A simpler more efficient question form
For experts and volunteers:
- Better search of past questions and answers
- A cleaner response editor, including pasting from Word without formatting problems
- Simpler ways to transfer or reassign questions, with settings each group controls
- Vacation mode you can schedule ahead of time
- Reminders that count from when a question is assigned to you
- Cleaner, more reliable email notifications
What about AI?
We heard you clearly: people come to Ask Extension for answers from real experts, so that won’t change. Any AI tools in the new system will be optional for each group, and nothing will be sent to a client without an expert reviewing it.
Timeline
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | Gathering feedback from experts and clients ✓ |
| Oct-Dec 2026 | Building the new system |
| Nov-Dec 2026 | Experts test the new system with real questions |
| Jan-Mar 2027 | Switch to the new Ask Extension |
We’re planning the switch before the spring busy season, so experts aren’t learning a new tool at the busiest time of year.
What you need to do
Clients: Nothing. Keep asking questions as you do today. Your old questions will be imported into the new system.
Experts and Group Leaders: Nothing yet. We’ll email you before the switch with [training materials / dates for test sessions].
Frequently asked questions
Will my past questions and answers still be available?
Yes. All past questions, answers, and images move to the new system. You will be able to create a new account in the new system and view your previously asked questions.
Do experts need a new account?
No. Existing accounts carry over.
Will Ask Extension be down during the switch?
We expect a short window of downtime (hours, not days) and will announce the date in advance.
Will my group’s settings carry over?
Yes, groups and their members move over. The new system will also give Group Leaders more control over how questions are assigned and handled in their group.
I have an idea or concern. Where can I share it?
Post it, or vote on others’ ideas, on our feedback board: askextension.fider.io
Questions?
Contact Mark Locklear, Digital Systems & IT Operations Manager, Extension Foundation, at marklocklear@extension.org.