Shortly after I retired, I enrolled in the Durham County Extension Master Gardener training program. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
The Master Gardener program began in North Carolina in 1979, and has grown to 88 programs in counties across our state. Extension Master Gardener volunteers are trained to help connect North Carolinians with the vast reservoir of horticultural expertise and research developed at North Carolina A&T University and North Carolina State University. They help residents of their counties learn about a myriad of gardening topics, answer questions, conduct demonstrations and workshops, maintain community gardens, distribute gardening information at community events, and participate in gardening initiatives in their communities.
The title, Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, or EMGVs as we are often referred to, puts an emphasis on the “volunteer” role. After completing 40 hours of training, master gardeners give 40 hours of their time each year volunteering for various projects. But many EMGVs routinely exceed that requirement. I stand in awe at our annual banquet as many of my EMGV friends are recognized for completing hundreds of hours of service.
In challenging economic times, North Carolina EMGVs help our state’s budget. Last year they volunteered over 172,000 hours giving our fellow citizens over $1.5 million worth of in-kind donations.
Before I sound too lofty, I want to say that I get more from the program than I give. Master Gardeners start by completing a 40-hour training course—roughly the equivalent to a semester-long university horticulture course. In the Triangle, our proximity to North Carolina State University (NCSU) means that both experienced local county extension agents and NCSU faculty teach us.
Mitch Woodward, a North Carolina Cooperative Extension specialized agent in water quality, gives his time to teach many of the training programs in our region. He explains his motivation for training EMGVs. “As an extension agent, there’s no way to address every issue that comes into our office. Master Gardeners are a vital link because they are motivated, they’ve had university-level training, and they really are part of their communities. They give back much more than they receive.”
In addition to classroom training, Master Gardeners take behind-the-scenes tours on campus to see university research, which is expanding the green industry in our state. EMGVs also are able to participate in regional and statewide workshops and events that bring together experts from around the southeast. And we learn from each other.
Through the Master Gardener program I’ve developed friendships with gardeners who are experts in their own areas. My network of resources continues to grow, enabling me to be more comfortable helping others with their gardening questions. Gardening is too broad for individual mastery, but as an EMGV I can turn to the North Carolina Extension Service and my fellow Master Gardeners to find the answers people are seeking.
Most of the counties in our area conduct their training programs on a two-year cycle. Check out the next EMGV training program in your county shown below. It may be one of the best decisions you’ll make.
Master Gardener Volunteer Programs in Our Area
Alamance County
Burlington. 336-570-6740
alamance.ces.ncsu.edu
Chatham County
Pittsboro. 919-542-8202
chatham.ces.ncsu.edu
Durham County
Durham. 919-560-0536
durham.ces.ncsu.edu
Blog: durhammastergardeners.wordpress.com
Franklin County
Louisburg. 919-496-3344
franklin.ces.ncsu.edu
Granville County
Oxford. 919-603-1350
granville.ces.ncsu.edu
Johnston County
Smithfield. 919-989-5380
johnston.ces.ncsu.edu
Blog: ces.ncsu.edu/newgdsite/
Lee County
Sanford. 919-775-5624
lee.ces.ncsu.edu
Website: lee.ces.ncsu.edu
Email: lcmgvpres@gmail.com
Orange County
Hillsborough. 919-245-2050
orange.ces.ncsu.edu
Wake County
Raleigh. 919-250-1084
wake.ces.ncsu.edu
Email: mgardener@wakegov.com
Twitter: twitter.com/wakemg
For more information, visit www.ncstategardening.org.
Byline:
Dr. Lise Jenkins is a Durham County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer.