If you have a strong interest in gardening and enjoy teaching others, you are invited to apply to become a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener. U of I Extension, Moultrie-Douglas Unit, is accepting applications for Master Gardener training which will begin in January and be held on 11-12 consecutive weeks through April, 2010. Class size is limited and participants will be accepted based on applications and an interview.

If you think you may want to become a member of our Master Gardening team, contact us at 217-543-3755 for an application or e-mail Lori Anderson at anders10@illinois.edu .

Ferns in the Landscape - Feb. 23 at 1:00 p.m. or Feb. 25 at 7:00 p.m.

The Elusive Morel - Mar. 9 at 1:00 p.m. or Mar. 11 at 7:00 p.m.

A Gardener's Guide to Plant Propagation - Mar. 23 at 1:00 p.m. or Mar. 25 at 7:00 p.m.

Pre-registration is required, especially for the evening sessions, and can be done by calling the office at 543-3755 at least a day in advance. The cost for each session is $5.00. These sessions are open to the public.

For years, Moultrie-Douglas County Master Gardeners have been blessed with having our volunteers honored at the state conference. This year was no exception. In 2007, Maxi Fitzjarrald received the award for State Outstanding Master Gardener. It comes as no surprise now it 2009, that she is following that award with another one, the Sustained Excellence Master Gardener Award.

To qualify for this award, a gardener must be an active Master Gardener and have been involved for at least 4 years in the program. They must also be a previous recipient of the Outstanding Master Gardener Award and complete at least 300 Master Gardener volunteer hours since the last award.

Maxi is such a positive force in our program. When it comes to pitching in and helping out with the program, she is always the first one to say she will help. Maxi is often found speaking to clubs, volunteering to help with local community projects, categorizing or filing in the Master Gardener work room or helping to put on workshops from gourds to rain barrels. If you call the local extension office and ask to talk to a Master Gardener, you will most likely hear Maxi's voice on the other end. As I stated when I nominated Maxi, if there were a Master Gardener super hero, she is the one I'd expect to be flying around in the little green cape.

Congratulations Maxi on a job well done! We are proud of you and are honored to say that you are not just one of the best in Moultrie-Douglas County, but one of the best in the state of Illinois!

Lori Ashley-Anderson, Master Gardener Program Coordinator