What Are Extension Master Gardener Volunteers?
The NC State Extension 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 knowledge and research developed at North Carolina A&T University and NC State University. Durham County Cooperative Extension has more than 100 volunteers in the Extension Master Gardener program. Through a variety of outreach programs, the Master Gardener volunteers of Durham County educate and inspire all gardeners (the curious, beginners, and the more experienced) with science-based information, presentations, and demonstrations. They also help maintain both the community garden at Briggs Avenue and the Demonstration Garden at the NC Cooperative Extension office at 721 Foster Street in Durham.
Once interns have completed their initial training, Extension Master Gardeners volunteer 40 hours of their time to the community every year. Beyond their initial training experience, they are able to attend lectures and workshops offered by state and national experts.
How To Apply
The Extension Master Gardener volunteer program in Durham County conducts a weekly four-month long training program once every two years. The next program will be conducted January – May 2027. Information sessions will be held in late summer / early fall of 2026, and all prospective students are required to attend an information session. For future updates on information sessions, please email Pana Jones at pana_jones@ncsu.edu.