Since 1979, the NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ program has recruited, trained and engaged residents to serve as volunteer educators who strengthen NC State Extension’s delivery of science-based horticultural knowledge to North Carolinians.

Lincoln County Master Gardener Volunteers have actively supported gardening education throughout the county for years, maintaining gardens and providing hands-on guidance to promote best gardening practices for the benefit of Lincoln County residents.

NC State Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteers empower North Carolinians to cultivate healthy plants, landscapes, ecosystems, and communities through volunteer service that delivers research-based information, educational programming, and community outreach.

Extension Master Gardener volunteers share their knowledge to help North Carolinians learn and grow. See our impacts!

Master Gardener volunteers maintain a number of projects around Lincoln County for residents and visitors to enjoy. Projects are selected that contribute to the improvement of local spaces and their ability to provide education to visitors. When possible, projects offer face-to-face engagement between county residents and EMG volunteers who are trained to answer a wide variety of gardening questions. Gardens, such as our library gardens, have plant ID signs so visitors can learn more about plants that do well in our area.

Master Gardener Seed Libraries are now open at four separate locations across Lincoln County! Visitors are welcome to grab as many seeds as they plan to grow and begin or add to their own garden. Donations of seeds are also welcome, unused packets can be placed in the libraries or saved seeds can be added so long as they are clean and clearly labeled in paper or plastic packets.

Charles R. Jonas Library in Downtown Lincolnton

Florence S. Shanklin Library in Denver

West Lincoln Library on Westwinds Rd just south of Vale

Lincoln County Senior Center in Lincolnton

The shade garden at the Jonas Library in downtown Lincolnton has been lovingly maintained by EMG volunteers since 2021. In 2011 a rose garden was established by the Cleveland/Lincoln County Rose Society dedicated to Tracy Jenkins, the Lincoln County Horticulturist from 1998-2010. Eventually the tree canopy became too dense for roses to flourish so the Lincoln County Master Gardener Program was contacted to refurbish the space as a shade garden. Plant labels and QR codes are placed around the garden so visitors can learn more about different plants that may grow in their own shady yards.

This garden boasts a wide variety of native and nonnative perennial flowers, bulbs, flowering shrubs, and small trees that do well in full sun. This garden was established in collaboration with the Westport Garden Club nearly 20 years ago and is currently maintained by Master Gardener volunteers. This garden also boasts plant labels and QR codes for the benefit of visitors who can frequently meet volunteers who tend to the garden, planting, pruning, and watering the plants.

Currently the woods behind the garden is being renovated by the County so visitors can walk the walk the trail and enjoy nature.

Are you interested in becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer? Trainings typically take place once a year, so it's important to reach out before they begin. Applicants must be accepted into the training by the Lincoln County Horticulture Agent to attend classes, and space is limited. Currently there is no training scheduled for the remainder of 2026, but don't hesitate to reach out to make sure you are informed when dates are announced.
Use the following link to access a Google Forms survey. You will receive info about the training in the months leading up to classes.
Click to Receive Updates on Future Trainings
Additionally you can reach out to the Lincoln County Horticulture Agent, Trevor Reese, who manages the Master Gardener Program in Lincoln County.
Trevor's email: trevor_reese@ncsu.edu
Lincoln County Extension phone: (704) 736-8461