Who We Are and What We Do

NC Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers of Beaufort County are a team of dedicated and certified individuals who use research-based information to help community residents improve their home gardens and landscapes. Our volunteers have a broad spectrum of ages and life experiences, bringing a variety of educational, professional and socioeconomic backgrounds, all of which benefits us in serving diverse groups of Beaufort County residents. There are approximately 26 Extension Master Gardener Volunteers in the Beaufort County program, a number of whom have been with the program for over ten years. We meet the third Wednesday of each month to learn about research-based gardening topics and to discuss ongoing projects such as:

• NC Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Phone Hotline - Greenline
• Ask an NC Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Information Booth at the Washington Harbor District Market
• Horticultural Events: Annual Plant Sale
• Educational Opportunities and Field Trips
• Teaching Garden Activities
• Writing Articles of Interest for Newspapers or social media.

Become a Master Gardener!

Do you want to learn more about the culture of plants? Are you interested in participating in a training program that includes topics such as ornamental trees and shrubs, soil and plant nutrition, vegetable gardening, home fruit production, garden flowers, and water conservation?  Do you look forward to sharing your knowledge and training with the people in your community?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, then perhaps the Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteer program of Beaufort County is for you!

Certified Extension Master Gardener 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. In exchange for their training, Certified Master Gardeners contribute time as volunteers (40 hours the first year, 30 hours a year thereafter) through the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Beaufort County Center to provide horticulture-related, research-based information to the public.  Current volunteer opportunities include our Teaching Garden at the Center, Greenline (call-in for horticultural help), Washington Farmer’s Market, Bath Farmer's Market, our Annual Plant Sale, Speaking Opportunities, and various educational programs for the community.

Anyone interested in joining N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardener program of Beaufort County needs to complete an application. The next step is an interview with our Horticulture Agent, Gene Fox.

The next training class will be this fall beginning in September.  The classes meet once a week on Tuesday mornings from 9:00AM to 12:00PM.  The training fee is expected to be $90.00 - $110.00 (includes a hard copy of the Master Gardener Manual) due the week before the first day of class.  The application forms and other printouts of information will be available at the County Extension Center at 155-A Airport Rd, Washington, NC 27889. The application can be found online by clicking 2024 Beaufort County Application. More information on the Master Gardeners Program can be found at: Become a Master Gardener in Beaufort County brochure

Please follow this link I'm Interested! to fill out the form to be on our interested list for the next training. This will ensure you receive updates and information about the classes and next steps to Becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer.