The University of Illinois Extension is pleased to announce that Master Gardener Training will be held in Stephenson County starting in September.  Interested people can apply now for the training.  

Training consists of 12 sessions (2 of which are optional) conducted on Thursdays, starting on September 3 and continuing through November 19.  To allow participants more flexibility during this training, we will be using a flipped classroom style training instead of the traditional classroom style of Master Gardener training. Each week, trainees will be given a reading assignment and a quiz similar to the classroom style training. What is unique is that instead of being in a class for 7 hours in one day, trainees will be given 2-4 videos to watch at their own pace before meeting with the section instructor on Thursdays from 9-10:30 AM for discussion, review and follow-up. Coursework covers botany, soils and fertility, woody ornamentals/pruning, organic gardening, vegetables, annuals & perennials, fruits, insect identification and control, turf management, disease diagnosis and control, U of I resources, and more!

Once training is complete, participants join the existing Master Gardener volunteers in service to our community, fulfilling the Master Gardner mission “Helping others learn to grow.” As volunteers, Master Gardeners make a difference in the community. Over the last year, the 50 active Master Gardeners in Stephenson County contributed over 1,400 volunteer hours, answering homeowners’ questions, teaching gardening lessons for children, planning and presenting at educational workshops, creating display gardens and working with local organizations.

Pre-registration is required to attend Master Gardener Training. An orientation interview will be conducted with participants in advance of the class. Registration for the training is $175. 

** This training is intended fro the residents of Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winnebago, Carroll, Whiteside and Lee Counties.