Master Gardeners

The mission of the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program is "Helping Others Learn to Grow." Master Gardeners involve people in improving the quality of life by helping them find sound management practices for home and urban natural resources, by creating aesthetically pleasing environments, by promoting well-being through people-plant interactions and horticultural therapy, and by contributing to a safe, abundant food supply through home fruit and vegetable production.

This self-guided course is for Illinois residents and can be taken from the comfort of home on a desktop, laptop, or tablet. The training includes videos, a manual, reading materials, and quizzes. The course can be completed in 14 weeks with four hours of weekly work. A strong internet connection is highly recommended. This course is aimed at exposing participants to in-depth horticulture content through 13 modules, including soils and fertilizers, plant diseases, entomology, pest management, organic gardening, and more. After finishing training, participants have the option to put their newfound gardening knowledge to use by applying to become an Illinois Extension Master Gardener Volunteer.

­Cost: $300 

• Registration opens 11/1/2026
• Registration closes 1/11/2027
• Training starts 2/8/2027
• Group Zoom meetup dates: 2/8, 3/8, 4/12

• Registration opens 4/1/2027
• Registration closes 5/17/2027
• Training starts 6/7/2027
• Group Zoom meetup dates: 6/7, 7/12, 8/9

• Registration opens 7/1/2027
• Registration closes 8/16/2027
• Training starts 9/13/2027
• Group Zoom meetup dates: 9/13, 10/11, 11/8

If you have questions about the online training, please contact Erica Lunde at eplunde@illinois.edu.

Hybrid Master Gardener Training will be a hybrid course in fall 2027. In-person class sessions will be held weekly on Tuesdays TBD, from 9 a.m. to noon. The class site is TBD. These sessions will be paired with asynchronous online coursework.  

Hybrid Format: You will complete online, self-paced assignments between classes. These assignments include watching pre-recorded lectures, completing worksheets, and completing online activities. The estimated time required to complete the self-paced assignments will be 3-4 hours per topic module, but this may vary based on your learning style. There will be 1 topic assigned per week. You will access the online portion of the course through Learn @ Illinois Extension, also referred to as Moodle.

Online learning will be paired with in-person learning days and tours of garden sites. Learning days will include hands-on activities, discussions, and application of knowledge gained from the online materials for each module. Guided tours will take place in the field and be led by experts in the topic areas.

To be an active Master Gardener, you must remain current in annual educational updates - a minimum of 10 hours, and volunteer service hours - a minimum of 20 hours, required by the local program. We ask that volunteers abide by the Master Gardener policies. Thank you for all you do for your communities!

The Illinois Master Gardener Fully Remote Online Training option is $300 to $330, depending on the materials you select to use for the course.

This fee for the course covers:

• Program fees include a manual with over 60 hours of classroom instruction and field learning.
• Assistance in finding a volunteer position that fits your personal interests, abilities, and time restraints for as long as you remain a Certified Master Gardener.
• Continuing-education events and opportunities.

After an application is received and accepted, you will be notified of your payment options.

1. Contact Erica Lunde at eplunde@illinois.edu to schedule your Master Gardener informal interview.

2. Attend an informal interview.

3. Complete a background screening process, which will take place through an online system called the Volunteer Gateway.

This background screening includes:

• CANTS check through DCFS
• Background screening through Sterling Volunteers
• Registered sex offender check
• Extension Child Protection Training
• 3 reference checks

4. Complete required paperwork, like a risk waiver, photo release, code of conduct, and annual agreement.

5. Pay program fee.

6. Complete the training. You are now a Master Gardener intern.

7. Complete the 40-hour volunteer internship. You are now a certified Master Gardener.

8. To remain active and certified, continue to volunteer 20 hours each year and attend 10 hours of continuing education programs.