Volunteers are the heart of NC State Extension. More than 15,000 adult and youth volunteers serve in myriad roles to ensure that knowledge and information are shared with citizens across our state. Every day volunteers are engaged to advise, teach, lead, communicate, and advocate. Providing resources to make serving easier helps foster future involvement and ensures continued service.
4-H Youth Development
Volunteers in 4-H Youth Development programming help youth develop essential life skills like problem-solving, decision-making, and communicating. These volunteers serve in 4-H clubs, after-school programs, community settings, Extension offices, and camp programs.
Extension Community Association (ECA)
The Extension & Community Association, formerly known as the Extension Homemakers Association, is a volunteer organization that works within communities to strengthen families and communities through leadership development, community action, and education support through research-based information.
Extension Master Food (EMFV)
Extension Master Food Volunteers (EMFV) help engage citizens in food and nutrition programming in their communities and train other volunteers to further expand the reach of N.C. Cooperative Extension. The EMFV program supports FCS agents in training volunteers to extend their food and nutrition programming and encourage the use of local foods, thereby building their capacity to deliver high quality, evidence-based interventions.
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Extension Master Food Volunteer Portal »
Extension Master Gardener
Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers work in their communities to provide North Carolina gardeners with unbiased, research-based information on establishing and maintaining gardens, lawns, landscapes, and houseplants in ways that protect health and natural resources. Working closely with county Extension faculty, these volunteers engage in a variety of service and teaching roles.
Extension Master Gardener Portal »
Extension State Advisory Council
NC State Extension’s Advisory Leadership System (ALS) creates partnerships at the grassroots level to connect communities and audiences across the state in a representative system. ALS volunteers serve as advocates for Extension and as advisors in determining priorities and keeping programming relevant and responsive to local needs. State, District, and County level councils and committees create an array of opportunities for citizen involvement.
