This document printed from the University of Illinois Extension Cook County at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/
Become A Master Gardener
What is a Master Gardener? The Illinois Master Gardener program is an educational, volunteer program offered by the University of Illinois Extension. The program is designed to increase the availability of university-based horticultural information to local communities and individuals through trained volunteers known as Master Gardeners.
Is it for me? 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 kind of training will I receive? You will be trained by University of Illinois Extension faculty and learn to apply research based answers to questions about culture of vegetables, herbs, fruits, nuts, lawns, flowers, bulbs, houseplants, trees and shrubs, ornamental grasses and roses as well as management of insects, diseases and other pests.
What must I do in exchange for the training? With the privilege of taking the classes, comes the responsibility of "helping others learn to grow." When you sign up for the program, you make a commitment to give back at least 60 hours of your time volunteering. For Cook County/South Suburban Unit, you will usually be asked to help staff master gardener telephone hot lines for a minimum of 20 hours. You can choose how you spend the other 40 hours. You may continue problem solving for the hot lines, or get involved in hands-on projects such as demonstration gardens, horticulture therapy, gardening with community groups, staffing informational booths, giving gardening talks or demonstrations in the community, or providing administrative assistance to the program. Sign up for volunteer opportunities begins during the classes and continues throughout the year. Many master gardeners choose to continue "helping others learn to grow" year after year.
In addition to the excellent training what other benefits are there? As a Master Gardener, you will meet people with common interests, develop enduring friendships, and gain satisfaction and recognition from using your talents to enhance the quality of life for the people you help. You will continue to learn "on the job," and may participate in advanced training opportunities. Active Master Gardeners receive a subscription to IMAGINE newsletter, from U of I Extension.
When and where is the 2008 training opportunity for South Cook County? A new class of Master Gardeners is trained annually from January through March. Training location for 2008 will be in two locations: South Holland on consecutive Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Matteson on consecutive Wednesdays, January to March. A calendar will be available as the time approaches. Orientation will precede the start of classes. After completing the classroom instruction and quizzes, trainees are tested with a final take home exam, which assesses their ability to use the references they have become familiar with to answer garden questions. Office orientation follows. Detailed training schedule will be available at: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/mg/index.html
Upon successful completion of this exam, Trainees becomes Interns. A half-day of volunteer orientation may follow the classroom training. After completing sixty hours of volunteer work, Interns are awarded the title of Certified University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener. Interns say they learn as much from the volunteer internship answering questions as the training. The experience is rewarding, enjoyable, and challenging, but not too difficult to master. In short it is fun.
Face to face training will be held in Matteson only in even numbered years.
Cost? Your time for classes, and volunteer work along with a fee (estimate $125) to cover the cost of the two volume Master Gardener resource manual and handouts.
Alternatively, the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener training is now also available during the winter months on the web (estimate fee $250). The Illinois Master Gardener website is: http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/mg/ apply to take this class the same way as you would the face to face classes. Web training is currently offered every year.
How do I apply? Fill out and return application. Interviews begin in October, and continue until November 15 or when class is full. You will be invited for a short interview. The class is limited in size and usually filled by late November.
