Vermilion County Master Gardeners

Gardening has increased in popularity, with more people growing their own fruit and vegetables.

Master Gardener Training Classes will begin in Winter 2025. There will be two options: In-person at the Champaign Extension Office or Online from your home.
New volunteers commit to complete 40 volunteer hours on approved Master Gardener projects within two years.
Active Master Gardeners volunteer 20+ hours per year at approved projects with 10 hours of continuing education.
In 2024, about 70 Vermilion County Master Gardeners volunteered about 6,000 hours in the community and grew nearly 5,000 pounds of produce that was donated to the CRIS Senior Center Garden Share program.

Interested? Fill out the Master Gardener Interest Form to get your name on the list for 2025! Learn more. Apply today.

Upcoming Events

Our Master Gardeners present on a different topic each month. Find out what this month's talk is by looking at our events page!

Events Page

Become a Master Gardener

Interested in becoming a Master Gardener? Find out more information on what it takes to join!

Learn More

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Find out about the latest events and news in Vermilion County for all of our programs!

Annual Events

See what events we host every year!

Garden Day Workshop

This is an annual event that local gardeners wait for all winter. The program takes place in early March and includes speakers, a bag filled with garden-themed items, coupons, and a silent auction. Attendees are encouraged to register early in February. The silent auction is free and open to the public. Call 217-442-8615 to Register. The fee is $35 and includes four speakers, a hot lunch served by DACC Culinary Students, and a Garden Day Bag filled with goodies.

2025 Event

Plant Sale

Taking place in early May each year, you will find a large selection of tomatoes, both heirloom and hybrid, grown by Master Gardeners from seed. Meet the MG who grew the plants and ask them questions to ensure you get a suitable variety for your vegetable garden. Plants include annuals, perennials, vegetables, and herbs, with a table for pollinator plants and natives. This year's sale is planned for May 17. Check back soon for more information!

Our Community Projects

Many colorful native plants in a row along a sidewalk in front of a brick building under a blue sky with clouds.

Growing Together at Danville Public Library

The Danville Public Library hosts two delightful gardening initiatives: the Pollinator Garden and the Children's Wonder Garden. The Pollinator Garden features native prairie plants cultivated by Master Gardeners, with plans to provide educational information on the history and beauty of native plants, encouraging residents to incorporate them into their own landscapes. Meanwhile, the Children's Wonder Garden offers a weekly Children's Garden Club where Master Gardeners and children collaborate to design, plant, and maintain a garden, alongside indoor horticulture programs like growing mushrooms, seed starting, and forcing bulbs.

Read how the Pollinator Garden came to be

Douglas Discovery Garden

Master Gardeners plant and maintain annual, perennial flower, herb, and vegetable gardens with the local community. There is also a small orchard. They collaborate with local schools to offer horticulture classes in winter months, culminating with students planting in May.

A white house with a picket fence and sign.

Gardening at Kennekuk County Park

Atwood House and Bunker Hill Herb Garden are two vibrant gardening spots at Kennekuk County Park. Master Gardeners maintain the Atwood House gardens from spring to fall, assisting with new plantings of flowers and vegetables and participating in the Plant A Row program, which grows vegetables for local food pantries. Meanwhile, the Bunker Hill Herb Garden features over 100 labeled herbs in raised beds, earning certification from the Illinois Herb Society in 2015.

Visit Us

Several people sitting in a radio studio.

Master Gardener Radio Show

Master Gardeners discuss the latest gardening topics and ask questions from callers about gardening practices or concerns during a weekly radio show. Airs Wednesdays on WDAN at 5 pm. Recordings are available.

Learn more about this show's long-time host

Several people gathered around a raised bed in a greenhouse.

VA Gardening Committee

Master Gardeners volunteer at the Danville VA about 2,500 hours a year. They are active in the VA Greenhouse, propagating, growing, and maintaining plants. They design, plant, and maintain a Pollinator Garden on the grounds. They are responsible for maintaining the VA Healing Garden, a peaceful, secluded garden available only to veteran residents, and monthly programs for veterans of different ages.

Reporting Hours

Master Gardeners must log volunteer and education hours using the reporting website. These hours enable our sponsors to understand the value provided by Master Gardeners to the community.

Report your hours!