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Master Gardeners

What is a Master Gardener?

The program is open to any adult with an interest in plants and a desire to share that with others. Master Gardeners are a dedicated group, and many choose to return year after year to share their knowledge with others. The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program is for enthusiastic individuals who have completed training and agree to volunteer at least 40 hours within two years at their local University of Illinois Extension office. 

Certified Master Gardeners educate the public on topics such as improving landscapes, choosing plant varieties, water-saving tips, gardening tips, proper pest identification and management, growing their own produce, optimal mulching strategies, and composting. The only guideline is that the projects be educational and concern horticulture. You will work with the local Extension Unit Leaders to determine how best to spend your volunteer time.

Contact one of our Program Coordinators listed below with any questions.

 
red and orange leaves on tree and ground

Let us help you grow.

Good Growing podcast episodes

Listen to the podcast episodes about horticulture, ecology, and design with Horticulture Educators Christopher Enroth and Ken Johnson.

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2026

Master Gardener Meeting Dates

February
5- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting
10- DeKalb Master Gardener Meeting
17- DeKalb Garden Walk Committee Meeting
19- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
6:00 PM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008

March
5- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting, 
5:00 PM at Flagg-Rochelle Public Library, 619 4th Ave, Rochelle, IL 61068
10- DeKalb Master Gardener Meeting
10:00 AM via Zoom & the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
17- DeKalb Garden Walk Committee Meeting (cancelled)
18- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting
10:00 AM via Zoom & the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
19- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
9:00 AM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008

April
2- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting
Ogle County Extension Office, 421 W Pines Rd, Ste 10, Oregon, IL 61061
14- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting
6:00 PM on Zoom and at the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 W Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
16- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
6:00 PM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008
21- Garden Walk Committee Meeting
9:00 AM via Zoom & in-person
22- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting
10:00 AM via Zoom and the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178

May
7- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting (revised location), 
5:00 PM at Ogle County Extension office, 421 W Pines Rd, #10, Oregon, IL 61061
12- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting
6:00 PM on Zoom and at the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 W Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
19- Garden Walk Committee Meeting
9:00 AM via Zoom & in-person, DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
20- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting
10:00 AM via Zoom and the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
21- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
6:00 PM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008

June
4- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting
5:00 PM at the Ogle County Extension Office, 421 W Pines Rd, Ste 10, Oregon, IL 61061
16- Garden Walk Committee Meeting
9:00 AM via Zoom & in-person, DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
17- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting
10:00 AM via Zoom and the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
18- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
9:00 AM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008

July
9- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting, 
5:00 PM at Flagg-Rochelle Public Library, 619 4th Ave, Rochelle, IL 61068
14- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting,
10:00 AM at DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 W Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178, and over Zoom
16- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
6:00 PM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008
21- Garden Walk Committee Meeting
9:00 AM via Zoom & in-person, DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
22- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting
10:00 AM via Zoom and the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178

August
6- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting
Ogle County Extension Office, 421 W Pines Rd, Ste 10, Oregon, IL 61061
20- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
9:00 AM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008
25- Garden Walk Committee Meeting
9:00 AM via Zoom & in-person, DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178

September
3- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting
5:00 PM at Flagg-Rochelle Public Library, 619 4th Ave, Rochelle, IL 61068
8- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting
10:00 AM 
17- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
6:00 PM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008

October
1- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting
Ogle County Extension Office, 421 W Pines Rd, Ste 10, Oregon, IL 61061
13- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
10:00 AM
15- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
9:00 AM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008
21- Garden Walk Committee Meeting 
9:00 AM via Zoom & in-person, DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
21- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting
10:00 AM via Zoom and the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178

November
5- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting, 
5:00 PM at Flagg-Rochelle Public Library, 619 4th Ave, Rochelle, IL 61068
10- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting
10:00 AM
19- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
6:00 PM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008

December
3- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting
Ogle County Extension Office, 421 W Pines Rd, Ste 10, Oregon, IL 61061
17- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
5:00 PM TBD
 

Read Agendas & Minutes

October
1- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
1- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
13- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
13- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
15- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
15- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
21- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting Agenda
21- Garden Walk Committee Meeting Agenda

September
3- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
3- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
8- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
8- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
17- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
17- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
22- Garden Walk Committee Meeting Agenda
22- Garden Walk Committee Meeting Minutes

August
6- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
6- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
20- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
20- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
25- Garden Walk Committee Meeting Agenda
25- Garden Walk Committee Meeting Minutes
26- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting Agenda
26- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting Minutes

July
9- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
9- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
14- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
14- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
16- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
16- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
21- Garden Walk Committee Meeting Agenda
21- Garden Walk Committee Meeting Minutes
22- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting Agenda
22- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting Minutes

"Per 5 ILCS 120/2.06, historical minutes not displayed on this site remain permanently preserved as physical public records. They are available for public inspection or via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request at our Administrative Office."

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