At times, the task must seem impossible. The project was made possible through grants from the College of Human Ecology and Cornell Cooperative Extension. Web site visitors, then, ask questions related to the topic, which Stark reviews and passes on to the expert. Tailored responses from the expert are sent directly to the inquiring person. If the questions and answers are of general interest, Stark posts them to the Web site for all other visitors to browse through and learn from.
Visitors can also view the archives to see topics covered by previous experts.
Rapidly changing technology is one of the forces affecting the way Cornell Cooperative Extension fulfills its mission, part of which is to deliver timely information and programs to the public. Using the Web as a medium for sharing information and for personal exchange was a logical choice for Stark, who has worked as an extension associate in DNS since 1981. Ask the Nutrition Expert doesn't cost any more if 1,000 dietitians read the Web pages or if 10 dietitians read the Web pages. One way Stark is gathering information on who is using the site is by asking users to complete an optional registration form. And the numbers of questions asked by visitors have grown.