This document printed from the University of Illinois Extension Cook County at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/
Become a Master Gardener in the South or Southwest Suburbs of Cook County
What is a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener?
The 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.
Instruction:
Attendance at all twelve training classes is required. The classes run February 3 through April 28 on consecutive Tuesdays from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at 5527 Miller Circle Drive, Matteson, 60443 except as noted.
Training
University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener trainees participate in more than 60 hours of training. Training sessions are taught by University of Illinois Extension Educators. The emphasis of the information is practical, yet research based. Students must pass a final comprehensive exam (all open book).
Tuesday, February 3 - SOIL - Matt Kostelnick, Extension Educator, Horticulture
Tuesday, February 10 - TREES & SHRUBS - Matt Kostelnick, and Nancy Pollard
Tuesday, March 3 - PLANT PATHOLOGY - Nancy Pollard
Tuesday, March 10 - INSECTS - Nancy Pollard
Tuesday, March 17 - INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT & MORE - Nancy Pollard
Tuesday, March 24 - LAWNS - Matt Kostelnick
Tuesday, March 31 - VEGETABLES - Ron Woldford, Extension Educator, Urban Horticulture and Environment
*Tuesday, April 7 - VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, POLICIES & POTLUCK, IDEA EXCHANGE * Location: Lake Katherine Nature Center, 7402 Lake Katherine Drive, Palos Heights, IL 60463.
Tuesday, April 14 - FRUITS - Matt Kostelnick
Tuesday, April 21 - OFFICE ORIENTATION & DATABASE TRAINING - Sue McCarthy, Extension Master Gardener Program Organizer
Tuesday, April 28 - MAKE UP DATE
Cost
Your time for classes, and 60 hours of volunteer work along with a fee ($199) to cover the cost of the two volume Master Gardener resource manual, handouts and other class expenses.
Alternatively, the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener training is now also available during the winter months on the web (estimated 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.
Applying
Fill out and return application. Each applicant will be required to go through an informal interview in the fall. The class is limited to 30.
For more information e-mail Sue McCarthy, Master Gardener Program Organizer at smccrthy@illinois.edu
