NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers share their knowledge with Durham residents during a propagation workshop.
Image credit: Mary Knierim, Extension Master Gardener volunteer
Continual learning is at the heart of the NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ program. Each year, volunteers complete at least 10 hours of continuing education, ensuring they stay current with the latest research and sustainable gardening practices.
That commitment adds up. In 2025, Extension Master Gardener volunteers completed more than 58,300 hours of continuing education—gaining knowledge they immediately put into action through plant clinics, educational programs, demonstration gardens, and community partnerships.
By continually strengthening their expertise, volunteers are better equipped to deliver accurate, research-based information that helps North Carolinians solve problems, grow successfully, and adopt more sustainable practices.
Statewide Learning That Reaches Every County
The Extension Master Gardener state team expands training opportunities for volunteers through accessible, high-quality webinars that connect volunteers and Extension professionals across North Carolina.
A cornerstone of this effort is the Plants, Pests, and Pathogens webinar series, a long-standing program delivered in collaboration with NC State Plant Disease and Insect Clinic experts Matt Bertone and Mike Munster.
The 2025 series included 9 live webinars that provided 13.5 hours of continuing education, with a combined attendance of 1894 volunteers and Extension professionals statewide.
Each session combines timely, research-based presentations from NC State faculty and experts with real-world updates on current pest and disease issues. A new 2025 feature, “Plant These for Pollinators,” highlights regionally adapted plants that support pollinator health and habitat.
Turning Knowledge into Action
The impact of this training is clear. Volunteers are not only learning, they are applying what they learn in meaningful ways.
Evaluation results from volunteers who participated in the 2025 webinar series show:
- 94% increased knowledge of plant pests and diseases
- 82% improved diagnostic skills
- 91% increased knowledge of pollinator-supporting plants
- 77% adopted new sustainable plant care practices
- 86% advised others on sustainable practices
- 91% reported feeling more effective as Extension educators
These gains translate directly into stronger community education, better problem-solving support, and more confident, capable volunteers.
Featured topics from the 2025 series included:
- Engaging in therapeutic horticulture with NC State Therapeutic Horticulture Program Manager Amy Bruzzichesi
- Climate-resilient gardening strategies with Extension Specialist Lucy Bradley
- Pest and disease challenges linked to weather stress, led by Matt Bertone and Mike Munster
- Smart mosquito control with entomology professor Michael Reiskind
Expanding Access to Learning
A dedicated team of Extension Master Gardener volunteers is helping extend the reach of this education even further. By reviewing and correcting subtitles for webinar recordings, they ensure content is accessible to broader audiences.
These recordings are then shared on the NC State Extension Master Gardener YouTube Channel, making years of research-based education available to anyone, anytime. Interest continues to grow: recordings from the 2025 season have already been viewed more than 5000 times.
Explore the recording archive (2009–present) or visit the Plants, Pests, and Pathogens playlist to start learning.
A Commitment That Grows Impact
Through their dedication to lifelong learning, Extension Master Gardener volunteers continue to strengthen the quality and impact of the 200,000+ service hours they contribute to Extension each year.
Every hour spent learning leads to more informed guidance, more effective outreach, and more resilient gardens and communities across North Carolina.
Join, support, or connect with Extension Master Gardener volunteers in your community—and be part of growing a healthier North Carolina.
