This document printed from the University of Illinois Extension Rock Island County at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/rockisland/
Helping Others Learn to Grow The Illinois Master Gardener program is an educational volunteer training program offered by the Extension Service of the University of Illinois. 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.
The Master Gardener program provides invaluable training and educational opportunities. Amateur horticulturists and others seeking up-to-date horticultural information can advance their gardening expertise, and gain self-satisfaction through helping others. The volunteer aspect of the Master Gardener program allows individuals to dedicate their time and talents to enhancing the quality of life for citizens of their community through horticultural education.
How to become a Master Gardener Master Gardeners are members of the local community who are interested in gardening and the environment. They participate in an extensive training program and commit to completing a certain number of volunteer hours on horticulture-related community projects each year. They are organized by their local county Extension unit. This year's face-to-face training for Rock Island and Knox County residents will take place from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Fridays, January 15 - March 26.
The cost for the training is $175 and includes a comprehensive horticulture textbook. Classes take place on Fridays from 9:00 a.m.—3:30 p.m. at the Rock Island County Extension, 321 West 2nd Ave., Milan.
2010 Dates & Topics:
January 15—Introduction to Botany
January 22—Soils
January 29—Pathology (Diseases)
February 5—Herbaceous Ornamentals (Flowers)
February 12—Entomology (Insects)
February 19—Fruits & Vegetables
February 26—Landscape Principles/Ornamental Grasses
March 5—Turf Grass
March 12—Woody Ornamentals (Trees & Shrubs)
March 19—Make up date if needed.
March 26—Problem Solving, Pesticide Safety, DDDI, Final, Graduation
The classes are taught by University of Illinois Extension educators.
Again this year, University of Illinois Extension will offer the Master Gardener training on-line as an option for those who would like to take the course but are unable to attend one of the face-to-face training programs. The 2010 online classes will run from mid January – early May. During the first week of the online course all enrollees will participate in an on-line orientation session about the Master Gardener program and Extension. The 12 major course units will include Botany, Soils, Plant Diseases, Entomology, Integrated Pest Management, Herbaceous Ornamentals, Woody Ornamentals, Grasses, Houseplants, Small and Tree Fruits, Vegetables and Landscaping. Each unit will include a reading assignment from the manual, a PowerPoint presentation and notes to view, external links to visit, a homework assignment and a quiz. The course also includes an obligatory discussion board tool for communication between participants and with the instructor. Students should plan to spend between 8-12 hours per week on the course. Applicants for the on-line course must have at least some previous computer experience, be comfortable navigating the internet and using email and basic programs like Microsoft Word. Students must have access to a computer for extended periods of time. Participants may work at their own pace but should be aware that the course has specific deadlines for completion of homework and quizzes.
The training fee for the face-to-face trainings in Milan, IL is $175. The online training fee is $250 for the volunteer option or $300 for the non-volunteer option. Rock Island County residents interested in becoming a Master Gardener should contact Tracy Jo Mulliken, program coordinator at tmully@illinois.edu or call (309) 756-9978 ext. 19 and Knox County residents should contact Kari Houle at khoule@illinois.edu or call her at (309) 342-5108. Registration deadline for the face-to-face classes in Rock Island is December 1 and for the online classes is December 8, 2009.
