Ford-Iroquois Counties Master Gardeners

The Ford Iroquois Master Gardeners serve the community by organizing programs and projects that promote knowledge on flowers, vegetables, herbs, fruit, trees, shrubs, and more.  Master Gardeners help provide a better understanding of plant diseases, organic gardening, composting, native plants, and the importance of pollinators.  In 2024, 12 Master Gardeners volunteered almost 850 hours--tending project gardens, leading public programs, and making their communities better places to live! 

If you enjoy gardening, learning, and sharing your knowledge with others, the Master Gardener program is for you. Registration for online class is open now.  Important dates for Fall 2025 online Illinois Gardener Training: registration runs from 07/01 to 08/18/2025; training will begin on 09/15/2025, with Group Zoom meetups on 09/15, 10/20, and 11/17/2025. 

We will offer an in-person class in Champaign County in January 2026.

Volunteers commit to complete 40 volunteer hours on approved Master Gardener projects within two years. 

Learn more.  Apply today for the In-Person Class.

What Do Volunteers Do?  

Activities

Here are some of the ways our volunteers are active in Ford and Iroquois Counties:

  • Design, plant, and care for an educational Idea Garden at the Onarga Library
  • Plant and manage a community garden at the Gibson City Reservoir/Fishing Pond
  • Raise vegetables at Iroquois Memorial Hospital Garden for the community.
  • Provide garden-themed presentations to the local community through their Speakers Bureau
  • Participate in Citizen Scientist Programs like Cocorahs.
  • Organize educational field trips for fellow Master Gardeners
  • Participate in the Monarch Watch Program, tagging monarchs each fall.
  • Serve as an officer, including President, Vice President, Secretary, or Committee Chair
  • Help organize the IGA Cookout fundraiser and Plant Share 
Meetings

Meetings are (usually) scheduled for the second Tuesday of the month at the Iroquois County U of I Extension Office--1380 S. Crescent St., Gilman, IL 60938. 

  • A business meeting is from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  • Workdays may follow in the afternoon during the growing season
  • No July or December meetings
Education

Continuing Education Opportunities:

Ford Iroquois Master Gardeners Assist Monarch Watch

  • Since 2016, Master Gardeners have tagged over 500 monarchs for Monarch Watch.
  • Butterflies are netted, and a small white tag is carefully placed under the lower wing when migration to Mexico occurs in the fall.
  • In 2018, one of the butterflies tagged by a FIMG was recovered near Baja, Mexico, and another was recovered in 2022.
  • The recovered monarch's data is sent to Monarch Watch. The date and location are recorded to help scientists monitor migration success.
Learn More About Tagging With Monarch Watch
Master Gardeners Lessons

Request a Speaker for your Group

Extension Educators train our Master Gardeners to give research-based lessons to public groups. Speaker's Bureau presentations are available by Master Gardeners in Ford and Iroquois Counties. Call 217-300-2333 for more information. Here is a sample of potential topics:

  • Seed Starting 101
  • Medieval Plants
  • Annuals and Perennials
  • Seeds, Seeds, Seeds
  • Fairy Gardens - the organization must provide supplies
  • Milkweeds and Monarchs
  • Pollinator Pockets
  • Container Gardening
  • Right Plant -Right Place
  • Gardening With Children 
Come see our work and be inspired!

Visit the Gibson City Fishing Pond, 460 N 300E Rd, Gibson City, IL, or the Onarga Idea Garden at the Onarga Public Library, 209 W Seminary Ave, Onarga, IL

Master Gardeners enjoy sharing their knowledge with others. Visit and view educational demonstration areas like these:

  • Butterfly Garden
  • Vegetable Garden Planted with Fall Cover Crop
  • Herb Garden
  • Annuals and Perennials
  • Native Plants
  • Compost Bin
  • Rain Barrel Irrigation System

Reporting Hours

It is essential that you report all volunteer hours earned using the reporting website. These hours enable the sponsors to understand the value provided by Master Gardeners and to justify continued support for the program. 

 

Report your hours!

Find the support you need from our local staff