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New Hanover County

Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Interest Meeting

​

Gabriella de Souza

Consumer Horticulture Agent,

Extension Master Gardener℠ Program Coordinator

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Presentation Agenda:

  • Welcome!
  • Why Become an Extension Master Gardener?
  • What Do Extension Master Gardener Volunteers Do?
  • EMG Program Requirements
  • Program Application Process
  • Q&A

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Gabriella de Souza

  • I am a plant ecologist & microbiologist from Wilmington, NC
  • I have a B.S. in Biology and a B.S. in Environmental Sciences, and a Master’s of Science in Biology
  • I studied cacao (“Chocolate Tree”) agroforestry in Southern Belize for my Master’s
  • I have been teaching for over 7 years!
  • I serve as the NHC Consumer Horticulture Agent and Extension Master Gardener Program Coordinator

Contact Information

E-Mail: gadesouz@ncsu.edu

Office: NHC Arboretum – Hutaff Center

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Why Become an �Extension Master Gardener Volunteer?

DO YOU WANT TO:

  • become knowledgeable in many gardening topics?
  • serve your community through sharing your knowledge?
  • increase your confidence in your own gardening skills?
  • meet others who share your gardening interests?
  • be a life-long learner of REALLY COOL STUFF?

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Find yours: https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/local-county-center/

Mission

  • NC State Extension extends research-based knowledge to all North Carolinians, helping them transform science into everyday solutions that improve their lives and grow our state.

Vision

  • We are the trusted, go-to resource for connecting research and education to the communities, economies and families of our state, creating prosperity for all North Carolinians.

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Gabriella de Souza

NHC EMGVA

Sam Byrd

Program Assistant

Non-Profit Organization

N.C. Cooperative Extension

Chart Key

Amy Mead

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NC State Extension Consumer Horticulture

Objective: to enhance the value of plants, animals, and landscapes while conserving valuable natural resources and protecting the environment.

​

  • Best Management Practices (BMPs) for pests and fertilizers
  • Selecting appropriate landscape plants
  • Promoting home food production
  • Promoting composting
  • Promoting water conservation
  • Promoting protection of water quality

Photo by Amanda Bratcher

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How Do “We” Fulfill Those Objectives?

  • Educational programs
  • Publications and newsletters
  • Events – workshops, information tables, community events, etc.
  • Personal consultations
  • Websites and online resources

Photo by Amanda Bratcher

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We need Extension Master Gardener Volunteers to fulfill the full potential of our mission!

The truth is….

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Remember, the Extension Master Gardener Program is not a gardening course.

  • When you become an EMG, you are enrolling in volunteer training with annual continuing education and volunteer service requirements.
  • If you are only interested in the subject/material, please join us for some of our free community events!
  • Visit newhanover.ces.ncsu.edu/events for more info

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Across North Carolina, EMG volunteers deliver �research-based information, education, and outreach that

Better nutrition &

food security

Pollinators & wildlife habitat

Improved health & wellbeing

Livable cities &

healthier communities

Cleaner air & water, stormwater infiltration

Through research-based information, educational programming and community outreach

Connect people with the benefits of plants and gardening �

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Master Gardeners Make an Impact

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Our 2025 Impact in New Hanover County

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Over 10,000

5,001 – 10,000

1,001 – 5,000

601 – 1,000

1 - 300

301 - 600

Based on EMG Intranet hour reports for calendar year 2023

Volunteer Service Hours Across NC

Cherokee

Clay

Graham

Macon

Swain

Jackson

Haywood

Transylvania

Buncombe

Madison

Yancey

Mitchell

McDowell

Henderson

Polk

Rutherford

Burke

Caldwell

Avery

Watauga

Ashe

Wilkes

Alexander

Yadkin

Alleghany

Surry

Iredell

Catawba

Cleveland

Lincoln

Gaston

Mecklenburg

Rowan

Cabarrus

Davie

Davidson

Forsyth

Durham

Wake

New Hanover

Stanly

Union

Stokes

Rockingham

Caswell

Guilford

Alamance

Orange

Randolph

Chatham

Anson

Richmond

Scotland

Hoke

Robeson

Montgomery

Moore

Lee

Person

Granville

Vance

Warren

Franklin

Nash

Johnston

Harnett

Cumberland

Bladen

Columbus

Brunswick

Duplin

Jones

Greene

Wilson

Wayne

Sampson

Lenoir

Pamlico

Halifax

Bertie

Beaufort

Beaufort

Pasquotank

Camden

Currituck

Perquimans

Chowan

Gates

Hertford

Northampton

Martin

Washington

Hyde

Tyrell

Pitt

Edgecombe

Dare

Craven

Carteret

Onslow

Pender

No EMG program in county

Multi-county program

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Over 10,000

5,001 – 10,000

1,001 – 5,000

601 – 1,000

1 - 300

301 - 600

Based on EMG Intranet hour reports for calendar year 2023

Volunteer Service Hours Across NC

Cherokee

Clay

Graham

Macon

Swain

Jackson

Haywood

Transylvania

Buncombe

Madison

Yancey

Mitchell

McDowell

Henderson

Polk

Rutherford

Burke

Caldwell

Avery

Watauga

Ashe

Wilkes

Alexander

Yadkin

Alleghany

Surry

Iredell

Catawba

Cleveland

Lincoln

Gaston

Mecklenburg

Rowan

Cabarrus

Davie

Davidson

Forsyth

Durham

Wake

New Hanover

Stanly

Union

Stokes

Rockingham

Caswell

Guilford

Alamance

Orange

Randolph

Chatham

Anson

Richmond

Scotland

Hoke

Robeson

Montgomery

Moore

Lee

Person

Granville

Vance

Warren

Franklin

Nash

Johnston

Harnett

Cumberland

Bladen

Columbus

Brunswick

Duplin

Jones

Greene

Wilson

Wayne

Sampson

Lenoir

Pamlico

Halifax

Bertie

Beaufort

Beaufort

Pasquotank

Camden

Currituck

Perquimans

Chowan

Gates

Hertford

Northampton

Martin

Washington

Hyde

Tyrell

Pitt

Edgecombe

Dare

Craven

Carteret

Onslow

Pender

No EMG program in county

Multi-county program

Hours reported should represent time volunteering as educators who strengthen Extension’s delivery of research-based horticultural information and programming to North Carolinians.

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What Do �Extension Master Gardener Volunteers Do?

Assist in the mission of Consumer Horticulture to educate the public about best gardening & landscape practices�

  • Distribute Extension information
  • Answer questions from the public
  • Demonstrate sound gardening practices
  • Amplify the impact of university research
  • Make a positive impact through their work in the community

​

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Plant Clinic

  • Volunteers provide provides accurate, research-based information to consumers on topics including how to select the right plants for your site, how to identify weeds, insects, and plant diseases, and how to avoid overuse of garden chemicals

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Nature At Home

  • Partnership with Cape Fear Audubon
  • Promote wildlife friendly gardening
  • EMGVs visit applicants’ yards and offer direction to increase biodiversity and wildlife habitat
  • Principles: plant natives, remove non-native invasives, include water features (including stormwater control measures), increase garden beds & reduce lawn, reduce use of synthetic inputs, leave the leaves & structure for wildlife
  • https://newhanover.ces.ncsu.edu/nature-at-home/

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Remote Plant Clinic

  • Extension Master Gardener Volunteers staff booths at community venues throughout the year.
  • Remote Plant Clinics allow the gardening public easy access to Extension Master Gardener Volunteers on Saturday mornings throughout the spring and the fall.

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Garbage to Gardens

  • Partnership with NHC Recycling & Solid Waste, New Hanover County Schools, and New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District
  • Promote recycling and composting as methods of waste diversion in local schools
  • https://newhanover.ces.ncsu.edu/garbage-to-gardens/

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And so much more!

→

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What Our Community Is Asking For

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EMG program student requirements:

  • Participate fully in the 50-hour training course provided for NC State Extension Master Gardener volunteers
  • Complete the 50-hour volunteer service internship by December 31st, 2027
  • 24 volunteer hours are to be completed in the Plant Clinic (about 8x, 3-hour shifts)
  • Complete final exam

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After you finish the initial training, you will need to fulfill these requirements for annual EMG recertification:

  • Volunteer a minimum of 25 hours of approved extension service within each calendar year
  • Acquire a minimum of 10 hours of approved extension continuing education within each calendar year
  • We encourage at least 5 continuing education hours to be completed through active or in-person opportunity

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EMG Code of Conduct:

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EMG Code of Conduct:

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EMG Code of Conduct:

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EMG Code of Conduct:

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EMG Code of Conduct:

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Interested? How to proceed:

Application: Submitted by October 2, 2026

​

You will receive the link to the application within 3 days of completing an interest meeting.

​

Upon acceptance:

    • Pay the $250 course fee which covers: name tag, state and local program fees, field trips, online access to TopHat (classwork platform)

​

    • Please let Gabriella know if this is too much of a financial burden. We have scholarships available on a case-by-case basis.

Photos by Amanda Bratcher

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Some Determining Criteria �of Application Acceptance

  • willingness to work as a team member with the local Extension agent and other EMG volunteers
  • personal goals in alignment with the program
  • willingness to represent Extension in a professional manner
  • interest in helping and teaching people*** ← essential
  • ability and desire to learn
  • ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically with the public by phone, in person, and in writing—especially via e-mail.
  • willingness to maintain and report records of volunteer work
  • other skills, such as photography, computer proficiency, carpentry, or art are great but not required!
  • gardening experience and expertise
  • previous volunteer experience

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Who/When For Classes

  • Taught primarily by the NHC Consumer Horticulture Agent, with addition of guest speakers
  • Classes held weekly
  • Held here in the NHC Arboretum Education Center or via Zoom

Photo by Amanda Bratcher

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Class times will be determined based on the availability of the accepted applicants.

​

Each class session will be 1.5 hours and consist of either a lecture, lab activity, or a mentor meeting.

​

Mentor groups will consist of 3-4 experienced EMG volunteers and 5-6 students.

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Veteran EMG volunteers are Mentors!

  • Experienced and newer Extension Master Gardener volunteers and interns!
  • Will help guide newcomers throughout the volunteer process
  • Very helpful on client questions
  • Ask questions and learn!

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In Summary

  • You will receive the link to the application within 3 days of completing an interest meeting.
  • These slides are available on the EMG Interest Page and will be emailed to you along with the application.
  • If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Gabriella de Souza at gadesouz@ncsu.edu

​

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Some FAQ:

  • Do I need to live in New Hanover County to participate?
    • No! Anyone can apply to the NHC program
  • What time will the classes be held?
    • Class times will be determined based on the availability of the accepted applicants.
  • How do I report my hours?
    • Hours must be submitted monthly through the EMG Intranet. Training on how to use this system is provided during the course.
  • How many classes can I miss?
    • You will need to earn at least 50 hours of core training in order to become certified (each class is 1.5 hours = you can miss ~3 classes)

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​

Gabriella de Souza, M.S.

Consumer Horticulture Agent & Master Gardener Program Coordinator

Statewide EMG Program Southeast Advisory Team Member

New Hanover County ‑ Cooperative Extension

gadesouz@ncsu.edu

Office: (910) 798-7674

Questions?