Share your gardening skills with others.

The mission of the Illinois Master Gardener program is “Helping Others Learn to Grow.” To become a Master Gardener all you need is an interest in gardening, time to volunteer in the community, and a desire to share your knowledge with others. Master Gardeners are volunteers who have received over 60 hours of training from Extension Educators and State Specialists from the University of Illinois. The task to the Master Gardeners is to share unbiased, reliable, research-based information with home landscapers and gardeners. Another important function is to encourage young people to enjoy the pleasures of flower and vegetable growing. If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardner in Christian, Jersey, Macoupin or Montgomery county, provide your information.

Master Gardener training, taught by University of Illinois Extension educators and specialists, emphasizes practical, research-based information. Training topics include: botany, annuals and perennials, soils, insects, woody ornamentals, vegetables, fruits, turf, integrated pest management, and wildlife. After the training program, Master Gardeners volunteer their time and expertise by sharing their horticulture skills with the community through garden projects, educational outreach and helping others learn to grow. The Master Gardener program is an all-volunteer program sanctioned by the land grant institution in each state and functions as an extension of the college or university. In Illinois, the program is sponsored by University of Illinois Extension.

2025 Master Gardener Training

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Local Hybrid Sessions:
Fall 2025 | Tuesdays | 9:00 AM-Noon | Sept. 9 - Nov. 25 ($175)
Register by Sept. 6.
In-person portion at Montgomery Extension office (Hillsboro)
 
Self-Paced Online Training | Sept. 15 - Dec. 31 ($300.00)
Register by Aug. 18

Have a gardening question?

Get research-based answers you can trust. Our Help Desk is available from May through August on Thursday mornings at the Christian County Extension Office. Master Gardeners can help answer questions about flowers, vegetables, ornamentals, trees, insects, and more! You can also call the office at 217-287-7246.

Serving Christian, Macoupin, and Montgomery Counties

In Christian, Macoupin, and Montgomery counties, Master Gardeners help people improve their lives by helping them find research-based management practices for home and natural resources.

Christian County

Master Gardeners are available from May through August on Thursday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Christian County Extension Office to answer your garden-related questions. They can help diagnose diseases and pests, plus offer advice on what plants would work best for you. They are also available at the Taylorville Farmers Market, located at Taylorville Square at 101 S. Main St. -- look for the bright orange tent.

Tune in to our local radio show at 96.1 FM on the second Monday of each month to listen to upcoming workshops, recent projects, trips, and tricks to help you in the garden.

1120 N. Webster St.
Taylorville, IL 62568
217.287.7246
uie-cjmm@illinois.edu

Macoupin County

Macoupin County Master Gardeners volunteer to maintain gardens in downtown Carlinville and the historical Macoupin County Courthouse. 

60 Carlinville Plaza
Carlinville, IL 62626
217.854.9604
uie-cjmm@illinois.edu

Montgomery County

1 Industrial Park Dr.
Hillsboro, IL 62049
217.532.3941
uie-cjmm@illinois.edu

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Master Gardener Newsletter

View our local Master Gardeners' monthly update for seasonal information and events.

Volunteer & Continuing Education Hours

For More Information

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Illinois Extension

101 Mumford Hall (MC-710)

1301 W. Gregory Dr.

Urbana, IL 61801

Email: extension@illinois.edu

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