Cultivating Community: Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Service Across North Carolina
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The NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ program is a statewide network of volunteers and professional Extension educators helping North Carolinians grow more sustainable gardens, healthier plants, and stronger communities.
Working with Extension educators, Extension Master Gardener volunteers deliver education and outreach that addresses critical issues like pollinator conservation, home food production, climate-resilient gardening, and human health and well-being.
Our volunteers and educators are based in N.C. Cooperative Extension Centers, which can be found in every county of the state. While every county program is unique, many share core service activities.
Here are some of the most popular volunteer activities and the statewide impact they had in 2024:
Garden Infolines & Plant Clinics
27,782 hours volunteered | 69,700 people served
At plant clinics, information booths, and garden infolines across the state, Master Gardener volunteers answer gardening questions with research-based, practical advice. Their expertise connects North Carolinians with trusted solutions for plant selection, garden pests, plant diseases, soil care, and more.
Need help? Our Garden Help Directory will help you find Extension educators and Master Gardener volunteers in your area.
Classes & Educational Events
58,200 hours volunteered | 81,000 people reached
From vegetable gardening and lawn care to pollinator conservation and sustainable landscaping, Master Gardener volunteers help plan and deliver hundreds of classes, workshops, and speaker presentations each year. Examples include:
- Grow With Us in Guilford County
- Garden Talks in Wilson County
- Gardening in the Mountains in Buncombe County
Connect with your local Extension center to find upcoming events in your area.
Explore online classes offered by the NC State Extension Gardener Program that are based on the Extension Gardener Handbook, the same curriculum used in Extension Master Gardener training.
Demonstration Gardens
34,680 hours volunteered | 4,000+ people engaged through programs and plant signage
Master Gardener volunteers maintain teaching gardens that serve as living classrooms across the state. These spaces showcase sustainable design, planting, pruning, composting, and more—helping gardeners of all experience levels learn by doing.
Extension demonstration gardens you may visit include:
- Brunswick County Botanical Garden
- The Learning Garden (Buncombe County)
- Outer Banks Arboretum (Dare County)
- Pollinator Haven (Lee County)
- New Hanover County Arboretum
- Extension Teaching Gardens (Union County)
- Wilson Botanical Gardens
Find a demonstration garden near you and get inspired by real-world garden solutions for your region.
Community Gardens
13,000 hours volunteered | 6,686 people engaged
Community gardens bring people together to grow food, learn new skills, and build stronger neighborhoods. Master Gardener volunteers support community gardens across the state, including:
- Briggs Avenue Community Garden (Durham County)
- Unity Park and Community Gardens (Caldwell County)
- Clayton Community Garden (Johnston County)
Contact your local Extension center to learn about community gardens near you.
Community garden resources from NC State Extension include the NC Community Food Gardening Handbook.
Youth Outreach & School Gardens
10,133 hours volunteered | 40,336 youth engaged
By partnering with 4-H, schools, and youth organizations, Master Gardener volunteers help young people explore the science of plants and the joy of gardening.
Explore NC State Extension resources for:
Connect with your local Extension center to get involved in 4-H or the Extension Master Gardener program.
Therapeutic Horticulture
3,605 hours volunteered | 9,857 people reached
Gardening supports physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Master Gardener volunteers contribute to therapeutic horticulture programs in counties across the state, including:
- The Ability Garden (New Hanover County)
- Bullington Gardens (Henderson County)
- Community-based programs in Wake County
Learn more about therapeutic horticulture resources and online classes from NC State Extension.
Join, support, or connect with Extension Master Gardener volunteers in your community.
