NC State Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program

The NC State Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program empowers North Carolina residents to become gardening experts and community leaders through research-based education and hands-on service. Since 1979, this statewide initiative has trained thousands of certified volunteers who provide unbiased horticultural guidance to help residents cultivate healthy gardens, landscapes, and ecosystems using safe, sustainable practices. With local county centers throughout all 100 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the program connects community members directly with extension agents and fellow gardeners to address real-world landscaping challenges and promote environmental stewardship. Volunteers engage in diverse activities including plant identification, pollinator conservation, therapeutic horticulture, and public education to strengthen local food systems and native plant awareness across the state.