Master Gardener Information and Orientation Session April 4, 2024

Master Gardener Information and Orientation Session April 4, 2024

An Extension Master Gardenersm Information and Orientation Session will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2024 from
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. in the Agriculture Service Center Conference Room. There is no charge to attend the
orientation, however if you wish to participate in the program there will be a registration fee of $130.00.

The Ashe County Master Gardener program, like similar county programs throughout the state, is affiliated with North
Carolina Cooperative Extension (NCCE). Through its county offices, Cooperative Extension provides educational
programs and services for home gardeners. The Master Gardener Program supports those efforts by recruiting and
training volunteers to help provide reliable horticultural information to the residents of Ashe County.

The program operates under North Carolina Cooperative Extension organizational policies to provide unbiased,
research-based horticultural information. An Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator oversees the
program. Through its volunteers, the Master Gardener Program extends horticultural education to an ever-increasing
gardening audience and provides a visible and viable way to meet the public demand for horticultural information.

The Ashe County program will follow the state guidelines while tailoring its program to the unique conditions of
mountain gardening. Any resident of Ashe County may apply to the program. The Horticulture Agent selects a
limited number of applicants into the program each year. This year the number will be limited to 12. All applications
and information obtained during the application process are confidential and the privacy of the applicants is
respected. Selection is based on the volunteer needs of the program and on the qualifications of applicants. Key
factors include:
 Previous volunteer experience
 Communication skills
 Ability and desire to learn
 Interest in helping people
 Willingness to provide unbiased, research-based information
 Willingness to operate in a team atmosphere
 Gardening experience and expertise (not required)
We encourage all who are interested in participating in the Master Gardener program to attend this information
session. Applications for the Master Gardener training will be available at the information session. The application
period will be open from April 4-April 24, 2024. Classes will begin on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. The program will
then be held every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for 14 weeks.
For more information contact Blake Williams, Extension Agent, Horticulture with the NC Cooperative Extension, Ashe
County Center at (336) 846-5850.