Do you have a passion for food, cooking, nutrition or local foods? N.C. Cooperative Extension in Union County is offering residents an opportunity to turn that passion into community impact through the Extension Master Food Volunteer (EMFV) Program.

Volunteers work alongside our Family & Consumer Sciences agent to provide community members with high-quality, evidence-based information and educational opportunities related to food, nutrition and local food.

EMFVs will work closely with our Family & Consumer Sciences agent to support a variety of Extension programs and community outreach opportunities.

Volunteer activities may include:

• Supporting nutrition education and cooking programs
• Assisting with food preservation classes
• Helping with cooking demonstrations
• Supporting lunch-and-learn workshops
• Participating in outreach at farmers markets and food pantries
• Assisting with youth cooking programs
• Supporting community health fairs and other events

Through these opportunities, volunteers help connect their communities with practical, research-based information that can support healthier individuals, families and communities.

Before beginning their volunteer service, EMFVs receive specialized training designed to prepare them to support Extension programming.

The core curriculum includes topics such as:

• Nutrition 101
• Food safety
• Food systems and local food
• Cooking skills
• Cooking demonstrations
• Teaching strategies
• Changing health behaviors
• Risk management
• Program management
• History of Extension and Family & Consumer Sciences

The EMFV program includes 30 hours of core training, followed by additional training and hands-on experience.

Becoming an EMFV involves both training and ongoing volunteer service.

Volunteers are expected to participate in all EMFV training sessions and complete 30 hours of shadowing and assisting their supervising Family & Consumer Sciences agent during their first year. After initial training, volunteers commit to 20 hours of volunteer service and 10 hours of continuing education each year.

This combination of training, hands-on experience and continued education allows volunteers to build their skills while supporting Extension programs throughout the community.

Union County will offer EMFV training beginning this fall. An interest meeting will be held one month before training begins to give prospective volunteers an opportunity to learn more about the program and ask questions.

Two Interest Meetings will be offered, one in person and one via Zoom.

• In person: September 24, 2026 at 10 a.m.
  • Union County Agricultural Center, 3230 Presson Rd, Monroe, NC 28112
• Zoom: September 25, 2026 @ 10 a.m.
  • Meeting Link

The five-session training schedule will begin in October.

Weeknight Sessions will be held from 6 p.m to 8 p.m.

October 15

October 22

October 29

Weekend Sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

November 7

November 14

If you are passionate about food and interested in using your time and skills to serve your community, consider applying to become an Extension Master Food Volunteer.

The EMFV application includes information about your background, Extension and volunteer experience, availability, employment and volunteer history, education and three references. Apply Here

Have questions about the program or application? Contact Judith Hernandez at jcgarcia@ncsu.edu or (704) 283-3737.

N.C. Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity institution and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color or national origin, including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics; sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy or related conditions; age; disability; genetic information; religion; veteran’s status or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.