What is the Master Gardener Volunteer Program?
Extension Master Gardener TM volunteers expand North Carolina State University’s ability to reach and assist the citizens of Guilford County. Then, receiving extensive training from North Carolina Cooperative Extension Agents are certified to provide non-biased, science based information. The Master Gardener Program is designed to develop highly skilled volunteers.

When the Master Gardener program began in mid 1970’s, its focus was primarily directed at diagnosing plant problems and offering solutions. While still a major focus, Master Gardeners are now designing and presenting proactive educational programs that address critical issues such as safe pest management practices, water quality protection, yard waste management and composting. Master Gardener's reach adult and youth audiences. Through their participation in educational activities, Master Gardeners also increase their own personal knowledge in horticulture.

Master Gardeners are encouraged to help plan and develop outreach activities and programs that help extend North Carolina State University’s education mission more effectively for the residents of Guilford County.

How to become an Extension MGV
To become a Master Gardener, you first must enroll and be accepted in the local county Extension program. If you want to become an Extension Master Gardener in Guilford County, please click at the bottom of this screen to be sent an application or contact the Extension office at 375-5876. Applicants are usually taken all year, but the formal acceptance process, which includes an interview, begins in the fall and the training classes are taught during the winter. Upon acceptance into the program you will be required to complete a 15-week classroom training program (10 weeks during the winter and 5 in the fall).

Training provides an overview of major horticultural subjects in a classroom setting.
Session topics are:

Volunteer Commitment
Extension Master Gardeners in Guilford County are required, after completion of the classroom training, to volunteer 50 hours the first year and 30 hours annually thereafter in horticulture outreach programs. This is where you will really learn more about plants and people. Many Master Gardeners far surpass the mandatory service hours and continue to participate in the program yearly. EMG efforts multiply the capabilities of Extension educators. Active volunteers are also asked to participate in continuing education of 10 hours per year.

The cost of the program generally runs between $70.00 - $100.00 and includes a thick Master Gardener textbook, name badge, all classes and materials.

Master Gardener Outreach Programs in Guilford County

Guilford County Youth Program
One of our most popular outreach programs for youth is our school program, where Master Gardeners reach approximately 3,500 elementary students each year. The EMG’s present nature science programs to elementary schools across Guilford County. These creative environmental nature programs have been designed to give students hands-on interaction with plants, insects, and the environment in which they live. They meet the educational curriculum guidelines established for teachers in North Carolina. Lesson plans and learning kits are available for use by EMGs and can be checked out by teachers. To line up a program for your classroom contact our Master Gardener Office at 375-5876.

Horticulture Question Information Line
EMGs staff a telephone line for citizens to call on horticultural information. EMGs respond to questions using information and resources available through the Extension Office. This high demand service is usually staffed every morning (and some afternoons) from March - November.

Legacy Demonstration Garden
EMGs maintain a one-acre demonstration garden located behind the Extension Office. This garden serves as a site for various educational activities, as a learning center for EMG classes, and as a demonstration and test plot for assorted garden beds. Plants are labeled and educational literature is available at beds. Community education classes are conducted regularly in the garden. The garden is open to the public daily.

Plant-A-Row Project
The Plant-A-Row for the Hungry Garden project has two major components. First, a ½ acre is planted and maintained yearly by the Master Gardener Volunteers and other community partners. Second, they sponsor a collection site at the Agriculture Center and the Farmers Market located at the Carousel Theatre for citizens and farmers wanting to donate additional harvest. Part of a national organization, the proceeds from this garden assist in feeding the hungry in Guilford County.

Speaker’s Bureau
Our skilled EMG volunteers offer presentations on a variety of horticulture topics to garden clubs and other community organizations. Contact the MG office to request a speaker.

Community Gardening Project
The Extension Center, in conjunction with the EMG’s offers 4’ X 50’ garden plots for the minimal fee of $15.00 to the citizens of Guilford County with the agreement that 10% of the harvest goes to the EMG Plant-A-Row project to feed the hungry. A community garden project fosters camaraderie and an opportunity to learn and share with other gardeners.

Look for our Extension Master Gardener booths and/or exhibits at many of the major community events. The above are just our major outreach activities. We serve the community in other various capacities such as the Question and Answer Column in the Greensboro News and Record on Saturdays. We’d love to talk with you or answer your gardening questions.

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