NC Cooperative Extension Service

Our mission is to help people improve the quality of their lives through
research-based information and informal educational opportunities
focused on issues and needs.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY EXTENSION MASTER GARDENERsm VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

The Brunswick County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service offers the popular Extension Master Gardenersm Volunteer Program each year. According to David Barkley, Extension Agent, the Extension Master Gardenersm Volunteer Program is designed to teach home gardeners the basics of horticulture for coastal North Carolina.

Course participants receive over 40 hours of training in a variety of subjects such as coastal soils, composting, fertilizers, adjusting soil pH, lawn care, landscape plants, fruit and vegetable gardening, indoor plant care, insect and pest management, plant disease management, integrated pest management, and safe pesticide use.

Upon completion of the training course, participants are required to provide 40 hours of volunteer time within 12 months of completing the training course. This 40 hours of volunteer time will be performed at the Brunswick County Extension Center by providing home garden and landscape information to Brunswick County residents by attending to telephone calls and/or clients visiting the office. Volunteer time takes place during normal business hours Monday through Friday. Following successful completion of the required volunteer hours, participants will be certified as Extension Master Gardenersm Volunteers by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

Classes are normally scheduled for one weekday per week beginning in February and ending in May. The classes are scheduled from 9 a.m. - 12 noon at the Brunswick County Extension Center located in the Government Complex in Bolivia. Cost for 2006 is $110, which covers the cost of an Extension Master Gardenersm Volunteer Reference Notebook and other class materials and expenses. An application must be completed and returned to the Cooperative Extension Service. For an application form, contact the Cooperative Extension Service at (910) 253-2610.

Class size is limited due to space, activities, and the need for interactive sessions. Ability to volunteer during normal business hours will be a key component for selection. The course is ideal for beginners as well as advanced gardeners who want to enhance their gardening skills and use this knowledge to serve their community.

For further information or assistance, please e-mail:
David Barkley, Extension Agent, Agriculture-Urban Horticulture; Telephone: (910) 253-2610

North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.


Back to the Home Page of the Brunswick County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

Site created by Kathy Walters

URL Address: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/brunswick/

Date Created 1/9/2003
Date Revised 11/15/2005