Navigating New Horizons: Master Gardener Programs in a Changing World
Registration Now Open!
Register by August 11, 2026
Conference Details
Join us in one of the nation’s most vibrant horticultural hubs for the 2026 National Extension Master Gardener Coordinator Conference, proudly hosted by the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program! We are thrilled to welcome Extension Master Gardener program staff from across the country to Chicago, a dynamic crossroads of urban innovation, cultural richness, and world-class green spaces.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Michigan and Chicago’s iconic skyline, this year’s conference offers both convenience and inspiration. With easy access through major airlines and countless attractions just steps away, attendees will enjoy a seamless blend of professional development, networking, and exploration. The hotel venue looks right onto Navy Pier- an iconic Chicago destination!
Key Dates at a Glance
- Book a Room: by July 20
- Registration open until August 11
- EMG Coordinator Award Application Deadline June 15
What to Expect
The conference kicks off with optional, immersive horticultural tours across the Chicago area.
Throughout the conference, we’ll also spotlight the remarkable volunteer efforts taking place in Illinois’ rural communities—showcasing the diversity, dedication, and statewide reach of our Master Gardener network.
Why Attend?
- Engage with leaders and peers who are shaping the future of Extension Master Gardener programming across the country
- Explore inspiring urban horticulture projects in one of America’s great cities
- Celebrate the meaningful volunteer work happening across the country, from rural towns to city neighborhoods
- Enjoy opportunities for learning, collaboration, and discovery in a lively, welcoming environment
2026 National Extension Master Gardener Coordinator Awards
Call for Nominations!
The objective of the Extension Master Gardener Coordinator National Awards is to identify, reward, and promote Extension Master Gardener coordinators who demonstrate excellence in the following categories (click category name below for more detailed information and application):
All awards will be presented at the 2026 National Extension Master Gardener Coordinator Conference
Questions? Contact John Orick, orick@purdue.edu .
Logistics
Venue
The Wade Hotel-Downtown Chicago, 644 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611. Conference space is in the upper level of the hotel.
Room Rate
We will have a block of conference hotel rooms available for $199 a night. Book a Room by July 20.
Meals
A restaurant and bar are located inside the hotel, and many restaurants are within a walking distance of the hotel. Lunch during the two full conference days will be included in the conference registration fee.
Travel
The hotel is a 20-30 minute ride from either O’Hare or Midway international airports, traffic depending.
Parking
At the hotel, valet parking is available for $84 a day. Several other parking garages are available in the surrounding blocks. To save on cost, it is recommended to take a taxi or ride share from the airport to avoid needing to park.
We can’t wait to bring our community together to learn, connect, and grow. See you in Chicago in August, where Illinois’ gardening spirit thrives in every corner of the state!
Pre-Conference Tour Options
Full Day Bus Tour Option:
Begin your day with a visit to Growing Solutions Farm, where you’ll see inclusive, community-based gardening practices in action. This unique site highlights the power of horticulture to create meaningful employment opportunities while promoting sustainable growing techniques.
Afterward, the group will travel to Lincoln Park for an afternoon of exploration and learning. Enjoy an included boxed lunch and time to discover the renowned Lincoln Park Zoo, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected zoos, known for its conservation work and free public access.
The afternoon continues with a visit to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, where participants will experience both indoor and outdoor learning environments. Highlights include:
- A guided tour of the outdoor gardens led by horticulture staff, showcasing native plantings and ecological design
- An engaging session with the museum’s education team, offering insights into public programming and environmental outreach
The tour concludes with a comfortable bus return trip, giving you time to reflect on the day’s experiences and connect with colleagues.
Draft Schedule Overview:
- 8:30 AM – Bus departs hotel
- 9:00–11:00 AM – Growing Solutions Tour
- 11:30 AM – Boxed lunch
- 12:00–2:00 PM – Lincoln Park Zoo Tour
- 2:15–4:00 PM – Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Tour
- 4:30 PM – Return to hotel
This dynamic excursion is perfect for coordinators interested in inclusive programming, urban horticulture, environmental education, and partnership-building. Don’t miss this opportunity to see innovative work in action and bring new ideas back to your Extension programs!
Afternoon Half-Day Tour Option:
Departing midday, this tour begins with a visit to the stunning Lurie Garden in Millennium Park. Often described as “Chicago’s secret garden,” Lurie Garden is a dynamic, four-season landscape that showcases sustainable design, native plantings, and contemporary horticultural artistry. Participants will have ample time to explore the garden’s thoughtful design and learn how it reflects the city’s cultural and ecological history.
Following a short trip, the tour continues at the world-renowned Field Museum, where science, conservation, and public engagement intersect. Highlights of this visit include:
- A mini-class featuring a segment of a community science presentation, with a look at real program data and how it informs research and public participation
- A guided tour of the Rice Native Gardens, showcasing regional plant species and their role in habitat restoration and education
- An interactive activity
The afternoon wraps up with a return trip, offering time to reflect on the connections between public gardens, research institutions, and Extension programming.
Draft Schedule Overview:
- 12:30 PM – Bus departs
- 1:00–2:45 PM – Lurie Garden Tour
- 3:00–5:00 PM – Field Museum Tour
- 5:30 PM – Return
This tour is ideal for coordinators interested in urban horticulture, public garden design, and integrating community science into Extension programming. Gain fresh ideas and inspiration to bring back to your own communities.
Conference Schedule
| Tuesday, August 18, 2026 The Wade Hotel: 644 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611 |
9:00-12:00 | National EMG Committee Meeting- room TBD (committee members only) |
8:00-8:30 | Full Day Tour Bus loads up at hotel entrance |
12:00-12:30 | Half-Day Tour Bus loads up at hotel entrance |
4:30 | Full Day Tour returns |
5:30 | Half-Day Tour returns |
5:00-7:00 | Registration Table Open- Altitude Room- 33rd Floor |
5:30-7:00 | Welcome Social Gathering and Poster Session- Altitude Room- 33rd Floor |
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| Wednesday, August 19, 2026 Altitude Room- 33rd Floor |
7:30 – 12:00 | Registration table open- Altitude Room- 33rd Floor |
8:30-9:00 | Welcome, housekeeping – 2027 IEMG Conference announcement |
9:00-9:50 | 50 min Workshop Presentation - From Outreach to Revenue: Maximizing Marketing to Scale Your Extension Programs |
9:50-10:40 | 50 min Workshop Presentation- Leading Change at Scale: Keeping Volunteers Engaged Through Organizational Transformation |
10:40-11:00 | Break |
11:00-12:00 | 50 min Workshop Presentation- Leveraging Volunteers to deliver a Native Landscape Design Workshop |
12:00-1:00 | Awards Luncheon Buffet |
1:00-2:00 | 50 min Workshop Presentation- What’s Your Garden Future? A New Way to Engage Communities on Climate Change |
2:00-2:30 | 30 min Short Presentation- Beyond Bob Dylan: The Times Have Changed in our Local Master Gardener Volunteer Program |
2:30-3:00 | 30 min Short Presentation- Building Strong Foundations Through Master Gardener Admission Interviews |
3:30-4:00 | Break |
4:00-4:30 | 30 min Short Presentation- Volunteer Training in Plant Diagnostics |
| Lightning Rounds 10 min with 5 min Q&A |
4:30-4:45 | 15 min Lightning Talk- Extension Master Gardeners in community science: Introducing Sweet potatoes as a new crop for western Washington |
4:45-5:00 | 15 min Lightning Talk - Beyond Recognition: Using Seasonal Social Connection to Sustain Master Gardener Volunteer Engagement |
5:00-5:15 | 15 min Lightning Talk- Water Ambassadors: A Community-Based Model for Urban Water Conservation and Sustainable Landscapes |
5:15-5:30 | 15 min Lightning Talk- Growing Expertise: Boosting Master Gardener Plant Diagnostic Skills |
5:30-7:00 | Dinner on your own |
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| Thursday, August 20, 2026 Altitude Room- 33rd Floor |
8:15-8:30 | Review of the Day |
8:30-9:30 | 50 min Workshop Presentation- An Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture Concepts and Techniques |
9:30-10:00 | 30 min Short Presentation- Local & Statewide Fundraising That Shows Impact and Public Value |
10:00-10:30 | 30 min Short Presentation- Rooted in Data: Growing Colorado’s Dashboard into a National Reporting Ecosystem |
10:30-11:00 | 30 min Short Presentation- Small but Mighty: Statewide Master Gardener Program Administration in Little Rhody |
11:00-11:30 | 30 min Short Presentation- Good Fences Make Good Volunteers: Setting Boundaries and Expectations via Basic Training for Long-Term Program Success |
11:30-1:30 | Lunch buffet |
1:30-2:30 | 50 min Workshop Presentation- Weeding Through Conflict: Real‑World Case Studies for MG Coordinators |
2:30-3:00 | 30 min Short Presentation- Setting Priorities for Busy Extension Professionals |
3:00-3:30 | 30 min Short Presentation- Cultivating Connection: Retaining a Thriving Master Gardener Volunteer Community |
3:30-3:45 | Break |
3:45-4:15 | 30 min Short Presentation- Growing Beyond Volunteers: Expanding Extension Reach Through a Sustainable Horticulture Certificate Course |
4:15-4:45 | 30 min Short Presentation- Growing Expertise Statewide: Lessons from Penn State Extension’s Hybrid Woody Plant Identification Program |
4:45-5:00 | 15 min Lightning Talk- After-Summer School: A Chill Way to Maintain and Build Plant Clinic Skills |
5:00-5:15 | 15 min Lightning Talk- Transitioning to an Online Training Improves the Mississippi Master Gardener Program |
5:15-5:30 | 15 min Lightning Talk- Scaling for Success: How a 30-Minute Lesson Reached 30,000 First Graders |
5:30-7:00 | Dinner on your own |
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Friday, August 21, 2026 Altitude Room- 33rd Floor | |
8:15-8:30 | Review of the Day |
8:30-9:00 | 30 min Short Presentation- Empowering Gardeners, Nourishing Community: A Seed Library Approach to Fighting Food Insecurity |
9:00-10:00 | 50 min Workshop Presentation- Cultivating Community: A Proactive Approach to Engagement in Minnesota |
10:00-10:30 | 30 min Short Presentation- Leveraging Existing Extension Programs to Build Intergenerational Learning Models |
10:30-11:00 | 30 min Short Presentation- Making Impact Visible At Every Stage: Retaining Master Gardeners Through Purpose-Driven Service |
11:00-11:30 | 30 min Short Presentation- Magnificent Moths: Engaging Communities with Science, Art, and Imagination |
| End of Conference- Travel Safe! |