Area lawn and garden enthusiasts can get intensive horticulture training in exchange for volunteer hours through University of Illinois Extension's Master Gardener program. The training program consists of weekly sessions that run from January through April.

Participants get more than 60 hours of in-depth instruction on such topics as soils; botany; insect and disease control; flowers, trees, shrubs and other ornamentals; fruit and vegetable production; houseplants; basic landscaping and a wide range of other topics.

In exchange for this intensive training, Master Gardeners donate 60 hours of volunteer horticulture-related service back to U of I Extension in their local communities. Some Master Gardeners answer lawn and garden questions from homeowners. Others help design and operate displays and demonstrations at home shows. And, some make presentations to local schools and civic groups.

The Master Gardener training will be held on Thursdays in Vienna, January 21 through April 9. On Wednesdays, the training is offered in Effingham from January 20 through April 7.

For more details, contact the Extension office, 618-439-3178. If you need disability accommodations, please indicate when registering.