DATE: February 22, 2008

CONTACT: Fran Wolak, (864) 656-3382
fwolak@clemson.edu

WRITER: Debbie Dalhouse, (864) 656-6737
ddalhou@clemson.edu


Clemson experts cited on national extension Web site

CLEMSON – Clemson University extension experts are among those cited on a national Cooperate Extension Service Web site featuring the "best of the best" agents and specialists from across the United States.

“The eXtension Web site (http://www.eXtension.org) is unlike any other search engine or information-based Web site because it provides a space where university experts gather and produce new information on wide-ranging topics,” said Francis J. (Fran) Wolak, chief operating officer for Clemson extension.

The Web site, launched this week, provides information in 16 resource areas, including home gardening to financial management, parenting, nuisance wildlife management, fire ants, horses, cattle and agricultural crops. Visitors can find information posted by extension experts from across the nation or find the local Extension Service in their state. Information will be updated continuously as new data is submitted and reviewed in the 16 communities of practice by a group of extension professionals in each area.

Clemson experts who contributed to the launch of eXtension.org include:

Cotton management:

  • Bob Bellinger, entomologist; Jeremy Greene, entomologist at Edisto Research & Education Center;
  • Mike Jones, agronomist at Pee Dee Research & Education Center; Francis Reay-Jones, entomologist at Pee Dee Research & Education Center; and
  • Tommy Walker, Hampton County agent.

Fire ant management:

  • Brian Beer, Lancaster County agent;
  • Bob Bett, Marion County agent;
  • Tim Davis, fire ant specialist;
  • Russell Duncan, Clarendon County agent; and
  • Mac Horton, entomologist.

Gardening:

Clemson Home and Garden Information Center http://hgic.clemson.edu.

Personal finance management:

  • Nancy Porter, national team leader; and
  • Joyce Christenbury, family resource management specialist.

Wildlife damage control:

  • Greg Yarrow, wildlife specialist.

The national Web site includes answers to 4,500 frequently asked questions that already have been posted, with more than 30,000 additional items in development. Because it's available to students, researchers, clinicians, professors, as well as the general public, at any time from any Internet connection, eXtension helps solve real-life problems in real time.

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