Halifax/Northampton County will be offering training for Extension Master Gardener Volunteers in 2024. The training will consist of a fall program and a spring program both needed to reach the required 40 training hours.
Classes will start in the fall and meet weekly on Saturday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Halifax County Agriculture Center on Sept 7, 14, 21, 28 and Oct 5, 12. The spring program will be part of the spring gardening classes.
During the 40-hour course, participants will learn more about soils, fertilizer, pruning, propagation, and many other horticultural concepts, as well as learning how to diagnose insect and pest problems and make informed pest management decisions based on integrated pest management principles. Participants will also learn how to be volunteer educators to help share information with the community and work on a class project. You will meet other engaged gardeners and learn about Extension Master Gardener Volunteer opportunities.
Following acceptance into the class, students can start to complete the 40 hours of required intern volunteering with the guidance of an Extension Master Gardener℠ mentor and the Horticulture Agent. Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteer activities including design and maintenance of the gardens at the 4-H Rural Life Center, Christmas wreath-making workshops, answering consumer questions Horticulture questions, hosting educational gardening workshops for children and adults, and much more.
To apply for the course, complete the application linked below. It can be returned via email to Justin_Burkhead or mailed/delivered to N.C. Cooperative Extension office located at 359 Ferrell Ln, Halifax, NC 27839. The fee for the course is $150, which will be due before the course begins. This fee covers training materials and state fees.
Application deadline is August 1, 2024.
ABOUT THE MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM
Master Gardener℠ volunteers of Halifax/Northampton County work with NC State Extension to provide gardeners with unbiased, science-based information on sustainable gardening, lawn, and landscape practices. Under the guidance of N.C. Cooperative Extension agents, volunteers complete a hands-on training program, pass an examination, and complete a 40-hour internship with N.C. Cooperative Extension in Halifax/Northampton County. To remain active in the program volunteers must log a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer service and 10 hours of continuing education each year. To help you decide if you should apply to become a Master Gardener℠ volunteer consider these questions:
- Do I want to learn more about growing many types of plants?
- Do I look forward to sharing my knowledge with people in my community?
- Do I have enough time to attend training sessions and to serve as a volunteer?
- Am I eager to participate in the training program?
No previous training is necessary to become an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer, just a passion for gardening and a desire to volunteer in your community. Benefits of serving as an Extension Master Gardener volunteer include:
- Help gardeners solve problems Learn how to identify and diagnose common diseases and insects
- Lead environmental education efforts in schools and neighborhoods
- Transform yards, people, and communities
- Teach others about gardening, lawns, and landscapes
- Work with others who share your interests
- Continue to learn through workshops, field trips, conferences, and hands-on training
- Become more knowledgeable and skilled in a variety of gardening subjects
