Shaping the Future of the NC State EMG Program
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In July 2025, we invited volunteers and Extension professionals across North Carolina to help shape the future direction of the NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ (EMG) program.
A total of 578 individuals responded to the funding priorities survey, including 539 Master Gardener volunteers and 32 Extension professionals. Their valuable input will guide our state program team’s priorities and inform how we allocate funds from the NC EMG Endowment and Day of Giving donations to support statewide initiatives over the next several years.
The survey asked participants to identify:
- The most pressing issues in North Carolina communities that EMG volunteers can help address through gardening education
- The statewide tools and resources that would most strengthen and expand the impact of EMG volunteer efforts
The following graphs highlight key survey results, including top community issues and the most-requested tools and resources to support volunteer efforts.
Funding Priorities Survey Highlights
Community Needs
EMG volunteers and Extension professionals across North Carolina identified the following needs as the top issues facing their local community that can be addressed through gardening education:
The highest-ranking priorities—each receiving more than 300 votes—were:
- Pollinator health and conservation (386)
- Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health (381)
- Lack of knowledge about sustainable gardening and integrated pest management (IPM) (349)
- Climate-resilient gardening practices (336)
These responses reflect strong statewide interest in using gardening education to support environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Other pressing concerns included:
- Food insecurity and limited access to fresh produce (263)
- Stormwater runoff and water quality (229)
- Human health and wellbeing (222)
Each received more than 200 votes, highlighting the potential for gardening to support environmental and social outcomes.
Although fire-resilient landscaping received the fewest votes overall (93), it was prioritized more frequently in regions of the state with higher wildfire risk, indicating the importance of localized strategies.
Education and Outreach Efforts
When asked to identify the most needed types of gardening education and outreach in their counties, EMG volunteers and Extension professionals ranked ten different activities. The graph below shows how respondents prioritized these outreach strategies to meet local needs.
Their responses highlight a continued preference for interactive, in-person learning experiences, while also affirming the value of outreach through diverse formats.
The top priorities, receiving more than 300 votes, were:
- Hands-on workshops (384)
- In-person classes (350)
These responses reflect strong demand for face-to-face engagement, where participants can build practical skills and deepen their horticultural knowledge.
Other highly ranked efforts, receiving over 200 votes, included:
- Garden helplines and plant clinics (242)
- School and youth programs (241)
- Demonstration gardens (225)
- Community gardens (205)
These formats allow volunteers to meet people where they are—whether in schools, public spaces, or their own backyards—and connect gardening to broader community needs.
While social media and online education (201) and online classes (187) ranked slightly lower, they still reflect a growing interest in flexible, digital outreach.
The lowest-ranked, yet still relevant, efforts were:
- Therapeutic horticulture programs (130)
- Printed educational materials (106)
Volunteer Training Needs
EMG volunteers and Extension professionals across North Carolina were asked to identify the types of training most needed to strengthen volunteer-led gardening education and outreach in their communities. The graph below illustrates how respondents prioritized nine key training topics.
The highest priority—selected by 363 respondents—was advanced training in gardening topics directly related to pressing community needs, such as pollinator conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable gardening (as shown in the previous graph).
Other high-ranking areas included practical tools and skills to enhance volunteer effectiveness:
- Using the Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (275)
- Public speaking and presentation skills (272)
- Digital tools to support outreach (270)
- Finding and applying research-based information (243)
- Using the EMG Intranet effectively (201)
Each of these received between 200 and 300 votes, underscoring the need for both horticultural expertise and communication skills.
While topics such as writing about science (142), using social media (131), and providing customer service (129) received fewer votes overall, each was selected by over 100 respondents, suggesting that these remain relevant areas for development—especially for volunteers involved in public-facing roles.
Tools and Resources
The next survey question asked respondents to identify which tools, templates, or types of guidance—if provided at the state level—would most enhance EMG volunteers’ ability to lead and deliver effective gardening education in their counties. The graph below shows how respondents ranked eight potential tools to support volunteer outreach across North Carolina.
The most requested resource was customizable gardening presentations, which received 445 votes, reflecting strong interest in adaptable, research-based materials that can be tailored to local needs.
Other highly rated supports included:
- Opportunities to share ideas across counties (270)
- NC State EMG program talking points (268)
- Resources for gardening infolines, plant clinics, and outreach booths (246)
- Guidance on designing and using demonstration gardens (208)
Each of these tools received between 200 and 300 votes, signaling a need for consistent messaging, peer learning, and streamlined resources to support high-impact outreach.
While social media templates (171), EMG Intranet guidance (164), and marketing templates and graphics (122) received fewer votes overall, each was selected by over 100 respondents, suggesting that improved visibility and communication tools remain relevant for many volunteers.
Who Participated in the Survey?
539 Master Gardener volunteers and 32 Extension professionals
How long have you been part of the EMG program as a volunteer or employee?
Which Extension district is the county where you participate in the EMG program located?
This collective insight will help us invest in meaningful programs that address real needs, amplify volunteer impact, and advance our mission: Empowering North Carolinians to cultivate healthy plants, landscapes, ecosystems and communities through volunteer service that delivers research-based information, educational programming and community outreach.
Go Link for this article: go.ncsu.edu/funding-priorities