How to become a Master Gardener
Master Gardeners are members of the local community who are interested in gardening and the environment. They participate in an extensive training program and commit to completing a certain number of volunteer hours on horticulture-related community projects each year. They are organized by their local county Extension unit.

This year's face-to-face training for Rock Island, Henry, Stark, and Mercer County area residents will take place on Fridays, January 24 through April 17, 2020 from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Rock Island County Extension, 321 W 2nd Ave., Milan, IL.

Master Gardeners attend our extensive 12-week training offered and taught by University of Illinois Extension horticulture experts.  After the training, the participants work with a Master Gardener mentor and volunteer on projects that interest them in their own community.  Whether it’s planning horticulture workshops, doing outreach to schools, answering calls on the Hort Hotline, working on community beautification projects, organizing a plant sale, helping at a community garden and more—there are projects in your community that need Master Gardener volunteers. 

The cost for the training is $250 and includes a comprehensive horticulture textbook. You may request to receive a $50 refund once your internship is completed for a $200 cost to become initially certified if completed within one year of graduation.

Classes take place on Fridays from 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. in Milan, IL.