What is the Master Gardener Program?

The University of Illinois Master Gardener program is an educational volunteer training program.

Who Are Master Gardeners?

Master Gardeners are adult members of the local community who are interested in lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, gardens and the environment. They come from all walks of life. You can become a Master Gardener if you are willing to learn about horticulture and share that research based information with others, are accepted into a local Master Gardener training program, and can volunteer at least 60 hours through your local University of Illinois Extension office.

Educational Training

U of I Extension educators and state specialists teach the Master Gardener training sessions. Classes are offered once a week January through April. Class size may limited due to space restrictions in some locations.

Training is also available through an Internet class.

Master Gardeners receive training to improve horticulture and volunteer skills.

Master Gardener training covers home horticulture topics including:

• Vegetable Gardening
• Tree and Small Fruits
• Horticulture Insect Control
• Interated Pest Management
• Plant Disease Control
• Turfgrass Management
• Herbaceous Ornamentals
• Tree and Shrub Care
• Soils and Fertilizer
• Basic Botany
• Volunteering Basics
• Landscaping/Ornamental Grass

Opportunities

Participants volunteer a minimum of 60 hours of time to their local University of Illinois Extension office. There are various volunteer opportunties such as answering questions, assisting with community displays/demonstrations, helping with demonstration gardens, speaking to local groups, conducting workshops, and assisting with youth gardening projects.

Master Garderners provided educational assistance and program leadership as follows:

• Planned and conducted a county garden tour
• Planted and cared for a native plant research plot
• Manned an informational booth at the Senior Jubilee
• Answered home horticulture questions through the Extension Office
• Designed and planted the landscape at the front entrance to the County Annex Building

Master Gardeners are an integral part of the University of Illinois outreach program. In all volunteer work related to the program, Master Gardeners are expected to follow the recommendations of University of Illinois Extension.

Interested?

Call the University of Illinos Extension office at 939-3434 or email monroe_co@extension.uiuc.edu to receive an application. Applicants will be contacted upon review of application. Monroe County accepts applications each fall.

A fee will be charged for training materials. The Internet training has a separate fee.

Please consider joining our team of Master Gardeners!