This document printed from the University of Illinois Extension Boone County at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/boone/
What Is the Master Gardener Program?
The Master Gardener program is sponsored by University of Illinois Extension and provides training for adult volunteers who help to disseminate up-to-date, research-based horticulture information to home gardeners.
The program has been in existence in Illinois since 1975 and currently has over 3,300 Master Gardener volunteers.
Why Become a Master Gardener?
As a Master Gardener, you'll learn about environmentally sound and practical gardening techniques specific to your growing area. You'll also play an important role in sharing that information with others in your community.
Qualifications Needed to Become a Master Gardener
Anyone can become a Master Gardener – it does not require a degree in horticulture! You do, however, need to:
Have a sincere desire to learn and share home horticulture information
Have practical experience or knowledge of gardening
Be willing to follow U of I pest control recommendations and home horticulture information
Be able to communicate effectively
Devote time to training sessions and volunteering
What Does the Training Involve?
Training sessions are typically offered one day a week over a four-month period starting in January. Sessions are taught by University of Illinois Extension Educators or Specialists. An on-line option is also available. Call the Boone County Extension office for specific information about dates, times, and locations.
There is a fee to take the training which helps to cover the cost of materials. This includes the Master Gardener manual that is yours to keep and consists of two large notebooks filled with helpful resources and reference publications.
What You Will Learn?
A combination of classroom instruction and demonstrations is used to present information about topics such as:
Basic Botany
Soils
Woody Ornamentals
Fruits & Vegetables
Herbaceous Ornamentals
Insects
Turfgrass and Weeds
IPM
Diagnostics
What You Will Do As A Volunteer?
Master Gardeners learn to be effective volunteers. There are many ways you can fulfill your volunteer commitment. A few of Boone County's volunteer opportunities are:
Answer home gardener questions through the Extension office Hotline
Create and maintain a demonstration garden
Give talks to groups interested in horticulture
Assist in preparing and staffing exhibits and displays
Serve as a mentor for new Master Gardener Interns
Write horticulture articles for the local newspaper
