Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are a major driving force behind many programs offered by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Forsyth County Center. Their outreach efforts spread extension educational programs far beyond what staff could accomplish alone. We are especially grateful for the dedicated support of our volunteers. Annually, more than 1,250 volunteers contribute over 20,000 hours to our program.

Whatever your skills and time constraints are, there is a place for you. We have a wide range of volunteer opportunities from educating youth to doing administrative work to serving on committees to planting and maintaining gardens.

Advisory Committees

Advisory leaders are a key component of our volunteer force. In Forsyth County, we rely on more than 240 county advisors to tell us the needs and issues that our programs should address. Each Cooperative Extension Agent works with an advisory committee to help plan, implement and evaluate programs. Contact an agent if you are interested in this volunteer opportunity.

4-H & Youth Programs

There are many different ways to help support the 4-H program, regardless of whether you have children enrolled in 4-H or not. There are opportunities to work directly with children, or work 'behind the scenes' with 4-H programs. It all depends on your interest and talents. Learn more about Forsyth County 4-H Volunteer Opportunities.

Extension & Community Association

The Forsyth County Extension and Community Association is comprised of 16 clubs and over 250 members. The purpose of this organization is to promote education through programs that encourage and assist members in achieving higher standards of family living, homemaking, community service and citizenship. Learn more about the Forsyth County ECA.

Master Gardener Volunteers

Forsyth Master Gardener Volunteer Program

The Forsyth County Master Gardener Volunteers (MGV) is a program that helps support horticulture education in Forsyth County. It is a national program of trained volunteers who work in partnership with the local Cooperative Extension office to extend information throughout the county. Master Gardener Volunteers provide leadership and service to their community in gardening activities. If you are interested in the MGV Program, send us an email.

Arboretum at Tanglewood Park

The Arboretum at Tanglewood is maintained by area volunteers who are led by the Forsyth County Master Gardeners, working under the direction of the NC Cooperative Extension Service. Volunteers are needed for environmental education, landscape gardening and community interaction. For more information, visit The Gardens at Tanglewood website or send us an email.

Other Opportunities

TELEPHONE RECEPTIONIST: Provides information to those calling the client services line, as well as directing calls to the proper staff and volunteers.

STUDENT VOLUNTEER (on call): Works on folding, mailing, special projects, copying, etc.

SPEAKERS BUREAU (on call): Represent the Cooperative Extension Service by sharing information with churches, clubs, community events, etc. through public speaking.

EDUCATIONAL EVENT VOLUNTEERS (on call): Throughout the year we have educational events (Heritage Days, School Days, Farm City, etc.) for various grade levels. We are always in need of presenters, time keepers, chaperones, photographers and planners.

GARDEN ASSISTANT (on call): Helps citizens install community gardens.