BOLIVIA, N.C. — Join a network of passionate gardeners dedicated to learning, sharing research-based information, and enriching the Brunswick County community through horticulture. Applications are now open for the 2026 Extension Master Gardener℠ (EMG) Volunteer Training Program.
The eight-week course prepares participants to become certified EMG volunteers who support NC State Extension’s mission of public outreach and education. Trainees explore topics such as soils, plant nutrition, turf, insects, plant diseases, native and woody plants, food production, and landscape design—while learning how to apply and share sustainable gardening practices.
Classes will be held Tuesdays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m.–noon, Jan. 13–March 10, 2026, at the Brunswick County Cooperative Extension Office, 25 Referendum Drive, Building N, in Bolivia. The program includes approximately 75 hours of in-person instruction, weekly assignments, quizzes, an open-book exam, and an intern project that puts new knowledge into practice. Instruction is led by Extension staff and subject-matter experts. Prospective students begin with an interview and an application to the local county program.
“I came to grow my knowledge, but I ended up growing so much more—skills, friendships, and confidence. The Master Gardener program was hands-on, inspiring, and full of practical wisdom. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done with a pair of garden gloves on.” – Ken, MG Class of 2025
Graduates become part of an active volunteer network that supports the Brunswick County Botanical Garden, hosts plant sales and public workshops, and engages in community partnerships such as Habitat for Humanity and school outreach programs.
Master Gardener volunteers make a lasting difference by:
- Teaching sustainable gardening practices
· Helping residents solve landscaping and gardening challenges
· Promoting environmental stewardship and water quality protection
For more information or to apply, visit brunswick.ces.ncsu.edu.
To learn more about the Brunswick County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers Association, visit bcmastergardenerva.org.
About North Carolina Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteers
Master Gardener volunteers support the mission of North Carolina Cooperative Extension by educating residents about safe, effective and sustainable gardening practices that grow healthy people, gardens, landscapes, and communities. Their vision is a healthier world through environmental stewardship.
The Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer Association of Brunswick County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports volunteer education, fosters camaraderie, and provides skilled volunteers for Cooperative Extension projects. Key events include plant sales and public workshops. Proceeds support educational programs and the Brunswick County Botanical Gardens, where visitors are invited to explore on a self-guided tour.
If you would like more information about this topic, please call Kelly Vendetti at 303-547-6275 or email [email protected]
