Horticulture Core Education Training

University of Illinois Extension's Horticulture Core Education Training is designed for adults of any age who love to learn about gardening/horticulture and have a desire to give back to their community. The goal of the program is not to teach you everything there is to know about the subjects being covered, but to give you an engaging exposure to horticulture that encourages you to seek lifelong learning opportunities while connecting you with garden networks in Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties. 

Illinois teachers can earn 60 professional development hours!
The 5-day course will be held Monday, June 8 to Friday, June 12 from 9am-4:30pm each day (with a short lunch break) and will include hands-on learning at gardens throughout the four-county unit and digital learning on your own.  
After completing the course, you will become a certified Extension Master Gardener with completion of a 40-hour volunteer service internship. 
 

Training Topics:

• Vegetable Gardening
• Insects
• Tree and Small Fruits
• Basic Botany
• Integrated Pest Management
• Turfgrass Care
• Plant Diseases
• Tree and Shrub Care
• Soils and Fertilizer
• Flower Gardening 

Training Cost

The Horticulture Core Education training costs $250. If you are a current Master Naturalist, the training costs $125.
 

Opportunities

New Trainees will be invited to a Social Meet and Greet event at our Tazewell Branch on Thursday, May 21 at 5:30 pm.

Training participants will need to complete an application, background screening and schedule an interview with Extension Horticulture Program Coordinator Ainsley Olsen.

2026 Schedule

Monday, June 8

• 9am – ICC Horticulture Demonstration Garden & Soils Lab
  • Address:  College Dr, East Peoria, IL 61635
• 3:30pm – Tazwell County Health Department Giving Garden

  • Address: 21306 IL-9, Tremont, IL 61568

Tuesday, June 9

• 9am – St. Ann’s Garden of Hope
  • 1414 W Antoinette St, Peoria, IL 61605
• 1pm – University of Illinois College of Medicine Garden
  • 1 Illini Dr, Peoria, IL 61605 – Behind church on MLK Jr Drive.
• 3:30pm – Peoria Friendship House Student Garden
  • 800 NE Madison Ave, Peoria, IL 61603

Wednesday, June 10

• 9am – University of Illinois Extension, Fulton Branch
  • Address:  15411 IL-100, Lewistown, IL 61542
• 3:30pm – Canton Giving Garden at First Congregational Church
  • Address:  159 N 2nd Ave, Canton, IL 61520

Thursday, June 11

• 9am – Wildlife Prairie Park
  • Address:  3826 N Taylor Rd, Hanna City, IL 61536
• 3:30pm – Jubilee State Park – Butterfly Garden
  • Address: 11817 W Jubilee College Rd, Brimfield, IL 61517

Friday, June 12

• 9am – Luthy Botanical Garden
  • Address:  2520 N Prospect Rd, Peoria, IL 61603
  • Master Gardener Picnic Lunch – 12pm
• 3:30pm – Peoria Zoo Pollinator Garden
  • Address: 2320 N Prospect Rd, Peoria, IL 61603

Other Options:

If this week does not fit your schedule, please look into our online training option here: Online Illinois Gardener Training | Illinois Master Gardeners | Illinois Extension | UIUC
You can still apply to be a certified Master Gardener once you have completed the online course!

If you are not wanting to become a Master Gardener but are looking for educational options, you are also eligible for our online training! In-person class sizes are limited and are reserved for future Master Volunteers.