An Extension Master Gardener℠ Information and Orientation Session will be held on Wednesday February 21, 2024 from 6-8 pm at Dare County Extension located at 517 Budleigh St Manteo.
There is no charge to attend the orientation, however if you wish to participate in the program there will be a registration fee of $150.00.
The Extension Master Gardener program of Dare County, like similar county programs throughout the state, is affiliated with North Carolina Cooperative Extension (NCCE). Through its county offices, Cooperative Extension provides educational programs and services for home gardeners. The Master Gardener Program supports those efforts by recruiting and training volunteers to help provide reliable horticultural information to the residents of Dare County.
The program operates under North Carolina Cooperative Extension organizational policies to provide unbiased, research-based horticultural information. An Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator oversees the program. Through its volunteers, the Master Gardener Program extends horticultural education to an ever-increasing gardening audience and provides a visible and viable way to meet the public demand for horticultural information.
The Dare County program will follow the state guidelines while tailoring its program to the unique conditions of coastal gardening.
Any resident of Dare County may apply to the program. The Horticulture Agent selects a limited number of applicants into the program each year. This year the number will be limited to 15. All applications and information obtained during the application process are confidential and the privacy of the applicants is respected.
Selection is based on the volunteer needs of the program and on the qualifications of applicants.
Key factors include:
Previous volunteer experience
Communication skills
Ability and desire to learn
Interest in helping people
Willingness to provide unbiased, research-based information
Willingness to operate in a team atmosphere
Gardening experience and expertise (not required)
We encourage all who are interested in participating in the Master Gardener program to attend this information session. Applications for the Master Gardener training will be available at the information session.
The application period will be open from February 21, 2024 – April 6, 2024.
Classes will begin on the week of September 9, 2024.
The program will then be held every Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. for 11-13 weeks.
For more information contact Annie Labrada, Program Assistant, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Dare County at aplabrad@ncsu.edu.
