![Ryan Pankau](/sites/default/files/styles/staff_140x200_/public/staff_image/Photo_Pankau_2020%20-%20Edited.png?itok=8CPK9Fyy)
![Ryan Pankau](/sites/default/files/styles/staff_140x200_/public/staff_image/Photo_Pankau_2020%20-%20Edited.png?itok=8CPK9Fyy)
Once accepted, all Master Gardener trainees are required to complete a full, confidential background check. This includes completion of the Volunteer Application, an interview, a volunteer agreement form, a DCFS CANTS check, our risk and release form, and a Sterling Background check, and a name check against the National Sex Offender Website. Trainees must also complete a required Child Protection Course. Not all background histories will disqualify folks from participating.
Active/Certified Master Gardeners
To Report Volunteer Hours
Our next Master Gardener volunteer training will take place in 2025. Please feel free to fill out an interest form in the meantime and we will reach out to you when we are interviewing for class. We cannot guarantee all these options will be available next year. Online at your own pace is the most likely format for 2025 training.
What will you learn? Classes are taught by University of Illinois Extension educators and horticulture specialists. Topics include botany, soils, vegetables, fruits, flowers, trees and shrubs, grasses, landscaping, insects, native and invasive species, and diseases.
Find out more about the Champaign County Master Gardeners here.
To become a Master Gardener, you start by submitting an interest form. After the local coordinator reviews the application, you will be contacted for an informal interview. Interviews will begin in November/December. The deadline to apply is January 5, 2025.
Take the first step and apply online or you can download, print, and mail the application. (If you choose to mail, please send the application to Valerie Nicolini at Champaign County University of Illinois Extension Office, 801 Country Fair Drive, Champaign, IL 61821). Next Training starts January/February 2025.
Once you submit this interest form:
Find out more about the Ford - Iroquois County Master Gardeners here.
To become a Master Gardener, you start by submitting an interest form. After the local coordinator reviews the application, you will be contacted for a brief interview.
We are offering online at your own pace training for Ford - Iroquois Master Gardener Training in 2025.
Take the first step and apply online or you can download, print, and mail the application. (If you choose to mail, please send the application to Jenney Hanrahan at Vermilion County University of Illinois Extension Office, 3164 North Vermilion, Danville, IL 61832). Next Training starts January 2025.
Once you submit this interest form:
Find out more about the Vermilion County Master Gardeners here.
We are offering online at your own pace training for Vermilion Master Gardener Training in 2025.
To become a Master Gardener, you start by submitting an interest form. After the local coordinator reviews the application, you will be contacted for a brief interview.
Take the first step and apply online or you can download, print, and mail the application. (If you choose to mail, please send the application to Jenney Hanrahan at Vermilion County University of Illinois Extension Office, 3164 North Vermilion, Danville, IL 61832). Next Training starts January 2025.
Once you submit this interest form: