Master Gardeners: $2k Awards

by SPT OKI ContributorFeb 25, 2026Education, Online Exclusives, Southport Oak Island

Brunswick County seniors can apply for three $2,000 educational awards from Extension Master Gardener Volunteers for horticulture-related college programs.

The Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteer Association of Brunswick County has opened its 2026 Educational Award Program, offering three $2,000 educational awards to graduating seniors from Brunswick County’s public high schools who plan to study horticulture or a related field.

Established in 2008, the Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteer Association of Brunswick County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports the programs of N.C. Cooperative Extension, Brunswick County. The Association’s mission is to provide horticultural education and outreach to the community through Extension programming.

$2,000 Awards Available for Three Brunswick County High Schools

To support the next generation of horticulture professionals, the Association will award one $2,000 educational award to a graduating senior from each of the following schools:
• North Brunswick High School
• South Brunswick High School
• West Brunswick High School

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:
• Be a graduating senior in the Brunswick County School System
• Plan to enroll full time in an accredited two- or four-year college program
• Intend to pursue a horticulture-related field, such as:
o Horticulture
o Agricultural science
o Environmental or natural resources
o Soil and crop sciences
o Sustainable agriculture
o Landscape horticulture
o Turfgrass management
o Greenhouse or nursery operations
o Floriculture
o Plant sciences
o Hydroponics
o Or a related discipline
• Demonstrate financial need and/or meet federal financial aid requirements

Awards will be paid directly to the recipient’s college and must be used no later than February 1 of the year following the award.

Key Dates

• Application deadline: April 1, 2026
• Recipients notified by: May 1, 2026

“This educational award reflects our deep commitment to cultivating both plants and people,” said a representative of the Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteer Association of Brunswick County. “We are proud to invest in students who are passionate about horticulture and the stewardship of our natural resources.”