Applications are now closed for the 2026 Extension Master Gardener℠ Class. Please contact Holly Key (hmkey@ncsu.edu) for any questions about future classes.

Accepting late applications through January 5, 2026*

*Both the application and the non-refundable $120 application fee must be submitted by this date. 

If you have been thinking about joining the Extension Master Gardener℠ program, now is the time to apply!

Find out more about the Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteer program on our Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers page.

Applications for the 2026 class will be accepted beginning on September 2, 2025 through the new deadline of January 5, 2026. If you complete your application with payment by December 8, 2025, you can attend one of the two info sessions on what to expect as a Master Gardener℠ student December 9th and 10th; 2pm-3pm (you need to attend only one of the two sessions). If you complete your application with payment after December 9, 2025, you will need to arrange a time to come into the Extension office for an info session meeting before the start of classes.

Applications can be found below.

Applications can be submitted online, mailed (Attn. Holly Key), or brought in-person to 3309 Burlington Rd., Greensboro, NC 27405. The $120 non-refundable application fee must be paid when you submit the application. If submitting an online application, you can mail (Attn. Holly Key- and please include a note inside with your name, contact, and "MG application fee") or bring in your payment. Payment can be made as cash (exact change) or a check made payable to Guilford County. Applications without payment will not be considered. Accepted applicants will be notified via email on or before January 5, 2026.

• Online application- Will be available when we have our next class 
• Download and print application- Will be available when we have our next class

2026 Extension Master Gardener℠ Class Schedule and Outline (below):

downloadable schedule and outline

Classes will consist of 2 units

Unit 1 will be a hybrid model with half virtual (pre-recorded videos) and half in-person classes (Wednesdays; 1:30pm -4:00pm). The unit will end with an in-person application day with hands-on activities for the lessons covered in that unit.

Unit 2 will be all in-person classes ending with an in-person application day with hands-on activities for the lessons covered in that unit. 

The final exam and Infoline training will follow the two units.

Students can only miss 2 in-person sessions and those absences can only include missing 1 of the application days. Any missed in-person classes must be made up by completing make-up work which will be sent following the missed class. Upon completion of make-up work, students can record education hours for the class missed.

Students must attend all virtual classes. Attendance for virtual classes will consist of watching the recorded lecture and filling out the accompanying questions via a Google form by the due date. You will not be able to record your hours for a virtual class unless you turn in the completed questions.  

Students must attend the final exam. 

**Students will need to obtain 40 education hours total. 

35 education hours come from attending all the required classes.

Options for obtaining the remaining 5 education hours: 

• **3 scheduled (see schedule below) optional field trips; PDIC & Soil Lab Tour (3 hours), Greensboro Arboretum Tour (1 hour), Buster Sykes Demonstration Farm Tour (? hours)
• You can choose to attend the optional review time before the final exam (1.5 hours)
• Educational videos, events, webinars, and seminars (See Intranet and/or Holly)

Find out more about the Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteer program on our Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers page.