Pitt County Center, 403 Government Circle - Suite 2, Greenville NC 27834          (252) 902-1709 Phone

What is a Master Gardener^sm Volunteer?

Master Gardener^sm volunteers are members of the local community who take an active interest in their lawns, trees, shrubs, and gardens. They are enthusiastic, willing to learn and help others. What really sets these volunteers apart from other home gardeners is their special training in horticulture and their willingness to educate others. In exchange for their training, Master Gardeners^sm contribute time as volunteers, work through their Cooperative Extension Center to provide horticulture-related information to the public.

Volunteer Commitment

Once you successfully complete the training program and pass the final exam, you will begin a volunteer internship. During your internship, you will learn even more about plants and people. Master Gardeners^sm function as resource individuals for horticultural questions that come in to their local Extension center.

What kind of volunteer activities are there?

The opportunities for volunteer services are limitless. Examples include:

Volunteeer Training

If accepted into the Extension Master Gardener^sm program in your county, you will attend a training course. Classes are taught by Extension staff, local experts, and Master Gardener^sm. The program offers a minimum of 40 hours of instruction on horticulture topics including: lawns; ornamental trees and shrubs; insect, disease, and weed management; soils and plant nutrition; vegetable gardening; home fruit production; garden flowers; and water conservation. You will receive a North Carolina Master Gardener^sm training manual --- full of comprehensive horticultural subjects. It will be a valuable tool in answering homeowners plant questions.

Pitt County Cooperative Extension offers Master Gardener Training every year. The next training will be held in 2012 beginning Thursday, January 5th and ending Thursday April 5th. The class meets every Thursday from 9:00 am until 12 noon.  This year the cost of the class will be $100.00.  

How do I become a Master Gardener^sm Volunteer?

Send a completed application to Danny Lauderdale, NC Cooperative Extension, 403 Government Circle - Suite 2, Greenville NC 27834. If you need further information please call the office at (252) 902-1709. Or stop by and see us! Our office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. The Master Gardeners are here Monday-Friday from 10:00 am until 12 noon, February-November and Mondays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. until 12 noon November-January.

If you have questions or need additional information concerning the Master Gardener^sm Program, please email: Danny Lauderdale or call him at (252) 902-1701.

North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University, commit themselves to positive action to sure 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.