The Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers of Cherokee County, operating under the guidance of the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County Center, play a vital role in empowering local residents through research-based gardening education and sustainable practices. As part of the prestigious NC State Extension network, these highly trained volunteers dedicate their time, knowledge, and passion to enhancing the natural beauty and agricultural success of Western North Carolina. Their impactful local contributions are a key piece of a massive statewide footprint; according to NC State Extension, in 2025 alone, over 4,000 Master Gardener volunteers dedicated more than 244,000 hours of service to North Carolina communities. To maintain their active certified status, individual volunteers within this network continually give back by providing at least 20 hours of volunteer service and completing 10 hours of continuing education annually.
Among their most impactful community outreach initiatives is their dedicated activities at a local nursing home in Cherokee County. Volunteers spend time working directly with nursing home residents, engaging them in hands-on gardening and related activities designed to foster a meaningful connection with nature. These regular sessions provide therapeutic benefits and joyful social interaction for the residents. Through this compassionate project, the Master Gardeners successfully bring the vibrant world of the outdoors directly to individuals who may otherwise face barriers to accessing nature.
Another cornerstone of the Cherokee County Master Gardeners' local efforts is the upkeep, expansion, and enhancement of the Murphy Riverwalk Native Plant Garden. Situated near the local community walking bridge, this beautiful public space serves as a living educational showcase for native flora and sustainable landscaping. The volunteers diligently maintain the site and collaborate with local garden enthusiasts, routinely hosting donation drives where residents can contribute specimen native plants from their own private gardens. By collecting, potting, and carefully integrating these donated specimens into the landscape, the Master Gardener volunteers ensure that the Riverwalk garden remains a flourishing, diverse ecosystem that educates the public and preserves the region's natural heritage.
Community education remains at the heart of the Master Gardeners' mission, which is reflected in the diverse array of educational classes they host each month through their Speaker's Bureau and specialized workshops. These monthly educational sessions cover a wide variety of topics tailored specifically to the local climate, including growing pawpaw trees, cultivating shiitake mushrooms, tree identification, supporting pollinators, choosing deer-resistant plants, and caring for indoor greenery.
