University of Illinois Extension - Bureau County provides a Master Gardening training program for individuals who have an interest in learning more about gardening. Master Gardeners are utilized to help answer questions from local residents and participate in community service projects throughout the year. Bureau County Master Gardeners also contribute articles for the multi-county, bi-monthly Master Gardener newsletter, "From the Garden". Bureau County Master Gardeners help enhance our School Enrichment program by providing spring gardening lessons to students in area schools. Master Gardener presentations are also made to local clubs/organizations.

Local community service projects created and maintained by Bureau County Master Gardeners currently include:

• perennial beds at Prairie View Nursing Home
• Veteran's Park, Princeton, IL
• Prairie Arts Center, Princeton, IL
• Spring ValleyMini Park, Spring Valley, IL
• annual/perennial beds at Spring Valley Nursing Center, Spring Valley, IL
• perennial beds Tiskilwa Square, Tiskilwa, IL

A plant and insect diagnostic system is also available for homeowner questions related to insect, weed and plant disease identification and control.