During 2024, more than 200 Cleveland County residents reached out to N.C. Cooperative Extension for answers to their horticultural questions through phone calls, emails, social media, and walk-in visits. Previously having relied on advice from friends, neighbors or commercial websites, many of these home gardeners had become frustrated with their efforts, giving up on gardening altogether or wasting money by hiring professionals to do the work for them.

In addition to responding to these questions on a case-by-case basis, Extension consumer horticulture agent Julie Flowers provided ongoing support to a team of Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers who she recruited and trained to serve as volunteer educators. In this role, they strengthen Extension’s delivery of science-based horticultural knowledge to Cleveland County citizens, helping them cultivate healthy plants, landscapes and ecosystems.

This year Julie delivered the Extension Master Gardener℠ course to 16 new volunteers over a 14 week period from August to November.  Students met once a week, being immersed in the technical aspects of horticulture and practicing new skills through hands-on lessons.  They now join a cadre of more that 50 trained volunteers who are dedicated to teaching others about plants and leading community beautification efforts.

By arming Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers with the latest research-based horticultural information from our land-grant universities, Julie helped expand Extension's outreach and teaching efforts.  By providing sound recommendations to the local community, these volunteers are helping people save money and build self-confidence in applying proven gardening techniques themselves.

Note: During 2024, Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers contributed 3,332 hours of service valued at $99,793 and reached 5,803 Cleveland County citizens.