Become A Master Gardener

Join the Master Gardener Team!  The Illinois Extension Master Gardener program is open to any adult with an interest in plants and a desire to share that with others.  No experience required! 

All Master Gardeners begin with a 60-hour training course that teaches you all about gardening in Illinois.  It's taught by a variety of Extension Educators and State Specialists with the University of Illinois covering everything from botany and soils to turf care, plants diseases and integrated pest management. 

However, the real learning begins in the garden as you start to work with other Master Gardens on local community projects.  Nothing beats the comradery of other like-minded gardeners focused on our mission of “Helping Others Learn to Grow” through community outreach.

Master Gardeners teach through gardening at various local community gardens representing a variety of garden styles from ornamental gardening to food production.  They also answer questions from the public about gardening, speak at local outreach events or plan public programs to help others learn. 

Apply by County

Apply in Champaign County

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. 

Take the first step and apply online.  The next In-Person Training starts in February 2026.  The deadline to apply is December 31, 2025, and interview requests will follow.

Once you submit this interest form:

  1. The Master Gardener Program Coordinator will contact you for an informal interview. You can expect to receive an email requesting an interview in January, after our application period closes.
  2. Attend the interview and learn about the exciting community garden projects available to Master Gardener volunteers.  Ask questions and learn more about which projects align with your skills and interests.
  3. You will be asked to complete volunteer screening paperwork via an online account, as required by the State Master Gardener program.
  4. If accepted into the program, you will then receive final registration and course information. The fee for Champaign County's Master Gardener class is $200 for in-person training. Financial assistance may be available upon request. Payment is not due until after the interview.
  5. To become a Certified Active Master Gardener, volunteers must complete MG Training classes (60 hours) and 40 hours of volunteer activities as an intern.  Volunteers have 2 years to complete their internship.
  6. To maintain certification in subsequent years, you must complete 10 hours of continuing education and 20 hours of volunteer activities annually.

Apply in Ford - Iroquois Counties

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 an informal interview. 

Take the first step and apply online.  The next in-person Master Gardener training will start in February 2026, with classes held in Champaign.  The deadline to apply is December 31, 2025, and interview requests will follow.

Once you submit this interest form:

  1. The Master Gardener Program Coordinator will contact you for an informal interview.  You can expect to receive an email requesting an interview in January, after our application period closes.
  2. Attend the interview and learn about the exciting community garden projects available to Master Gardener volunteers.  Ask questions and learn more about which projects align with your skills and interests.
  3. You will be asked to complete volunteer screening paperwork via an online account, as required by the State Master Gardener program.
  4. You will then receive the final registration and course information. Need-based Financial Assistance may be available.
  5. To become a Certified Active Master Gardener, volunteers must complete MG Training classes (60 hours) and 40 hours of volunteer activities as an intern.  Volunteers have 2 years to complete their internship.
  6. To maintain certification in subsequent years, you must complete and report 10 hours of continuing education and 20 hours of volunteer activities annually.

Apply in Vermilion County

Find out more about the Vermilion 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. 

Take the first step and apply online.  The next in-person Master Gardener training will start in February 2026, with classes held in Champaign.  The deadline to apply is December 31, 2025, and interview requests will follow.

Once you submit this interest form:

  1. The Master Gardener Program Coordinator will contact you for a meeting.
  2. Attend the interview and learn about the exciting community garden projects available to Master Gardener volunteers.  Ask questions and learn more about which projects align with your skills and interests.
  3. You will be asked to complete volunteer screening paperwork via an online account, as required by the State Master Gardener program.
  4. You will then receive the final registration and course information. Need-based Financial Assistance may be available.
  5. To become a Certified Active Master Gardener, volunteers must complete MG Training classes (60 hours) and 40 hours of volunteer activities as an intern.  Volunteers have 2 years to complete their internship.
  6. To maintain certification in subsequent years, you must complete and report 10 hours of continuing education and 20 hours of volunteer activities annually.

Volunteer Training Options

  • In-Person training: In-person classes typically consist of 10-12 individual sessions taught between February and April. Classes are taught by live instructors in a classroom or outdoor setting with field trips to Master Gardener projects and local greenhouses.  Trainees will have 2-3 hours of independent study to do prior to the weekly session.  Quizzes will be online. In-person classes will only be offered in the Champaign County Office this year, but you can live in any of our four counties and attend.
  • Online training: For those unable to attend the traditional face-to-face training, an online, self-guided course is available to take from the comfort of home at your own pace.  We will plan several in-person events to connect you with local projects.  These events are offered at a variety of times to accommodate busy schedules.
  • Hybrid training:  Hybrid training offers the best of both worlds, with a mixture of in-person and home study.  Students typically meet for live instruction once a week (for 10-12 weeks) in a condensed format when compared to our Face-to-Face training.  Live instruction sessions are followed by corresponding hands-on activities or field tours.  Individual study or activities in between sessions are assigned to meet the remaining learning objectives of the course.

Our next Master Gardener in-person volunteer training will begin in February 2026.  To join the class, fill out an interest form, available by clicking on the appropriate "Apply by County" tab.  

All interest forms are due by December 31, 2025.   Please fill out the interest form regardless of whether you choose in-person or online training.  We will reach out to you in January with more information, including class schedules and additional registration information.  Please fill out the interest form regardless of whether you want in-person or online training.

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