The North Carolina State Extension Office in Haywood County is calling on anyone interested to learn how to become a master gardener.
Extension master gardener volunteers are an essential component of the extension office and assist local county horticulture agents in various aspects of home horticulture, from answering gardening questions to becoming involved with and teaching in school and community gardens.
Volunteers are involved in a wide variety of activities throughout Haywood County and receive ongoing advanced training throughout the year.
If this sounds interesting, here’s what you need to do to be considered for the next Extension Master Gardener (EMG) class:
• Fill out our volunteer interest form at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1faipqlsdggjrkrxtv-poxiyyqz5ns2bzivizkxf8lf7u4tcw6283evw/viewform.
• Attend at least three of Learn to Grow classes.
• Attend an informational session.
• Complete a volunteer application. Starting in March, applications will be accept-ed for the next class and will be due by April 15. Once accepted the class fee of $150 will be due by May 30.
• Attend an orientation session on June 18 to become an official EMG stu-dent. Participate in several Master Gardener activities as a student prior to attending training classes.
• Attend training classes every Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon in October through mid-November. After completing 40 hours of course work, EMG students become official EMG interns.