The Caldwell County Extension Center is kicking off 2026 with two exciting opportunities for local gardeners: the return of the Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteer training course and the annual Edible Plant Sale.
The Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a 14-week volunteer certification course designed for community members who want to expand their gardening knowledge and give back through education and outreach. Classes begin Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and are held primarily on Tuesday afternoons from 1–4 p.m. at the Alexander and Caldwell County Extension Centers. Participants receive research-based horticulture training covering topics such as botany, vegetables, fruit production, native plants, soils, pest management, and more. Upon completion, graduates volunteer their time supporting local gardening education efforts. Applications are accepted through February 9 or until the class is full.
In addition to the training program, the Extension Center is now taking orders for its 2026 Edible Plant Sale, featuring a variety of fruiting plants and edible perennials well-suited for home gardens. Plants offered include blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, muscadines, figs, elderberries, rhubarb, and American persimmon trees. Orders are being accepted now until sold out, with plant pick-up scheduled for Thursday, March 19th. Proceeds from the plant sale support local Extension education and programming.
For more information or to register for the Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteer course or Edible Plant Sale visit our website at caldwell.ces.ncsu.edu or call our office at 828.757.1290.
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