

The mission of the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Program is "Helping Others Learn to Grow." The Master Gardener Program educates people about environmentally sound horticulture and gardening practices, provides educational programming when requested, and assists the general public with questions related to horticultural practices through a network of volunteers trained and managed by University of Illinois faculty and staff.
Volunteers participate in a variety of outreach and educational opportunities that are pre-approved by the Extension Unit to fulfill a 30-hour per year volunteer requirement. Our local Extension Unit provides horticultural presentations to public libraries, assists with school teaching gardens, hosts informational tables at Farmer’s Markets, participates in local community gardens that benefit community food pantries, helps provide guidance for native plants and gardening to local preserves, and many other exciting projects.
To become a Master Gardener, you must submit an application to the Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam Unit and complete an interview. Trainees who have been accepted into the program are required to complete background checks. Trainees must also complete a required Child Protection Course. For further details, click on the “Master Gardener brochure” under Public Resources given below. For current training options, click on “Become a Master Gardener” in the scroll bar below, or on the “Latest flyer/information for training” link given below. You may also wish to register on the Master Gardener Waiting List so that you can be notified of the next training program.
Learn Grow Share Garden Series | April 22, 2025 - Meetings are held 1-2 times monthly | 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Marshall-Putnam Extension Office - Henry, IL
Edible Landscapes (Wenona) | April 25, 2025 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Wenona Bond Public Library
Edible Landscapes (Princeton) | May 1, 2025 | 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Princeton Public Library
Vegetable Gardening in Raised Beds and Containers (Streator) | May 1, 2025 | 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Streator Public Library
Vegetable Gardening in Raised Beds and Containers (Ottawa) | May 8, 2025 | 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Reddick Public Library
Easy Care Native Plants (Henry) | May 28, 2025 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Henry Public Library
Easy Care Native Plants (Princeton) | June 05, 2025 | 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Princeton Public Library
Vegetable Gardening in Raised Beds and Containers (Granville) | June 06, 2025 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. | Putnam County Public Library District
DePue 4-H Little Giants Afterschool Club
Farmer's Market Informational Booths
2022 Fall Four Seasons Webinar Series
Extension News: 2020 Garden Packet
View the Master Gardener brochure for more information
Request a speaker - print, complete, and email to bettyann@illinois.edu
101 Mumford Hall (MC-710)
1301 W. Gregory Dr.
Urbana, IL 61801
Email: extension@illinois.edu