Join Us!
About the Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program
Join a local network of nearly 80 community members who are passionate about gardening and are dedicated to learning and sharing research-based horticultural information. These Extension Master Gardener Volunteers support NC Cooperative Extension’s efforts to help Cleveland County citizens improve their lawns & landscapes using proven research-based information.
NC Cooperative Extension provides Master Gardener volunteers training on soil and plant nutrients, composting, insects, integrated pest management, lawns, food production, herbaceous, woody and native plants, wildlife, landscape design, and more.
After completing the initial training and passing an exam, students begin a 40-hour internship to learn even more about horticulture and to give back to their community. Once the 40-hour internship has been completed the volunteer becomes a Certified Extension Master Gardener Volunteer.
To remain active in the program, Master Gardener Volunteers must meet annual re-certification requirements, including 20 hours of volunteer service and 10 hours of continuing education.
The are many ways to earn continuing education and volunteer service credits:
- Attending monthly Extension Master Gardener Association meetings
- Participating in planned nursery & garden tours
- Attending plant-related workshops & symposiums
- Helping to plan & support annual plant sales and other fundraisers
- Planning & promoting an annual gardening symposium
- Creating educational displays and manning an information booth at the Cleveland County Fair
- Maintaining pollinator gardens
- Promoting and participating in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census
- Helping students plant bulbs at their elementary schools
- Providing technical support and guidance to community & school gardens
- Providing gardening advice and recruiting new volunteers at our farmers’ markets
- Representing the Extension Master Gardener Program at community health fairs, festivals & events
The rewards of becoming an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer:
Your time, effort, talent and enthusiasm are valuable contributions to NC Cooperative Extension’s consumer horticulture program. You won’t receive a paycheck, but will be richly rewarded for your service:
- You'll receive a well-rounded education in home gardening
- You'll have access to continuing education opportunities
- You'll become familiar with reliable resources to answer your gardening questions
- You'll have access to gardening experts as needed
- You'll make new friends with people who share a common interest
- You'll enjoy organized outings & field trips with fellow Master Gardeners
- You’ll choose your own volunteer activities, doing things that you enjoy
- You'll help nurture and grow future gardeners, a wonderful legacy to leave behind
- You’ll have the opportunity to give back to your community in meaningful ways
The 2026 course will be offered on Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. beginning August 25 and ending November 17 at the Cleveland County Extension Center, located at 130 S. Post Road in Shelby, NC. The registration fee is $125. Pre-registration is required by August 15th.
For more information, contact:
Greg Traywick,
Cleveland County Extension Director
130 S. Post Road, Suite 1, Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 482-4365