Would you like to learn about growing vegetables, landscaping, trees, insects or turfgrass from University of Illinois Extension? The Woodford County Master Gardeners want you to join their training program this winter and take you on an amazing garden learning experience to find your inner gardener. The Master Gardener program is a great opportunity to enrich your gardening knowledge, make a difference in the community and meet others who share your love of plants and gardening. The only requirements are that you enjoy plants and gardening and are happy to share your knowledge with others.

During Master Gardener training, you will have the opportunity to learn from University of Illinois educators and specialists about the many aspects of gardening. The educators are University of Illinois professionals who present class material in a manner that is useful and understandable to both the seasoned or novice gardener. Classes will be held in a mixture of learning environments: seven of the classes will be face-to-face and four of the classes can be attended from the comfort of your home computer. Classes will be held every Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning February 2 and running through April 12. The online modules will be offered the weeks of February 9, February 23, March 8 and March 22. The face-to-face training will be held at the University of Illinois Extension office located in Eureka.

Training topics include botany, herbaceous ornamentals, woody ornamentals, vegetables, fruits, soils, turf, insects, plant pathology, and more. The cost of the 11-week class and the Master Gardener training manual is $150.

If you are interested in the program, we are hosting two "Welcome Parties" in order for you to find out more about the program and meet active Master Gardeners. These will be held Tuesday, December 1 at 6:30 p.m. and Thursday, December 3 at 10 a.m. All are welcome to attend a session to find out more about this unique program. Please register by calling Brittnay Haag at (309) 663-8306 or email her at bhaag@illinois.edu.

After training, Master Gardener interns start giving back to the community through volunteer service.Many have said this "hands-on" experience is what really increases their understanding of gardening.In the words of Woodford Master Gardener, Linda Simpson, "The learning never stops." Volunteering with our organization can be done in the garden, teaching workshops to the public, working with youth and more! Our most popular projects include:

• School enrichment program where Master Gardeners teach youth lessons on horticulture
• Eureka library program where the community learns about gardening
• Germantown Hills Middle School where students and teachers enjoy an outdoor classroom
• Eureka Courthouse herb garden where Master Gardeners not only beautify, but celebrate the harvest with a tasting each year

For more information about the Master Gardener training offered in Woodford County this winter, or to RSVP to the "Welcome Party," please contact Brittnay Haag, horticulture program coordinator at (309) 663-8306 or bhaag@illinois.edu. All applications for the training must be received by January 15. The popular insect identification cards will be given to participants who sign up before January 1.

Spend your winter learning more about gardening by joining the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener training!

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact us at (309) 663-8306.