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.

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. Apply now!
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 volunteer training will take place in 2025. In the meantime, please feel free to fill out an interest form, available below by clicking on the appropriate "Apply by County" tab.

All interest forms are due by January 2, 2025. We will reach out to you in January with more information, including class schedules and additional registration information.

We cannot guarantee all these options will be available next year. While we always offer Online training, the In-Person training and Hybrid training offerings will depend on local enrollment. Availability of all courses will be announced in January.

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. The deadline to apply is January 5, 2025 and interview requests will follow.

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). The next Training starts in February 2025.

Once you submit this interest form:

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.
Attend the interview and learn about all the exciting community garden projects available to Master Gardener volunteers. Ask questions and learn more to identify which projects align with your skills and interests.
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 or $300 for the online, at-your-own-pace training. Financial assistance may be available upon request. Payment is not due until after the interview.
To become a certified Master Gardener, complete 60 hrs of training (in either online or in-person format) and 40 hours of volunteering as an intern within 2 years of finishing the course.
To maintain certification in subsequent years, you must complete 10 hours of continuing education and 20 hours of volunteer activities annually.
There is a personal/professional development option. People on this path will not be allowed to volunteer as a Master Gardener or use the Master Gardener title. They may list the Master Gardener course as education on a resume.

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 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 Lucy Cross at Vermilion County University of Illinois Extension Office, 801 N Country Fair Dr., Suite D, Champaign, IL 61821). Next Training starts January 2025.

Once you submit this interest form:

The Master Gardener Program Coordinator will contact you for a meeting.
When accepted into the program, you will be asked to complete volunteer screening paperwork (required documents below) as required by the State Master Gardener program.
You will then receive the final registration and course information. Need Based Financial Assistance is Available.
MG Training classes and 40 hours of volunteer time must be completed in order to become a certified active Master Gardener. Volunteers have 2 years to complete their internship.
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.

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 the Vermilion County University of Illinois Extension Office, 3164 North Vermilion, Danville, IL 61832). The next Training starts in January 2025.

Once you submit this interest form:

The Master Gardener Program Coordinator will contact you for a meeting.
When accepted into the program, you will be asked to complete volunteer screening paperwork (required documents below) as required by the State Master Gardener program.
You will then receive the final registration and course information. Need Based Financial Assistance is Available.
MG Training classes and 40 hours of volunteer time must be completed in order to become a certified active Master Gardener. Volunteers have 2 years to complete their internship.
To maintain certification in subsequent years, you must complete and report 10 hours of continuing education and 20 hours of volunteer activities annually.