Master Gardener Training

Take your love of gardening to the next level - Become an Illinois Master Gardener!

Upcoming 12 week trainings include:

2023 Fall Master Gardener Online Training | Starts Oct 2
Take your love of gardening to the next level by becoming a Master Gardener in 2023. The self-paced course starts October 2 and can be completed in 14 weeks. The online training may be taken from the comfort of home on a desktop, laptop, or tablet. Participants will be introduced to in-depth horticulture content through 13 modules, including soils and fertilizers, plant diseases, entomology, pest management, organic gardening, and more. The training includes videos, a manual, reading materials, and quizzes. The course is $300. Learn more and register here by Sept 11.

2024 Fall Master Gardener Hybrid Training | Mid Sept - Nov | One Morning Per Week
Attend live Zoom sessions led by University of Illinois horticulture educators one morning per week. Meet with classmates at several in-person sessions at the IL Extension office in Milan, IL. Learn more at: go.illinois.edu/MGHybrid2024

Master Naturalist Hybrid Training | Dates TBD | One Morning Per Week
Attend live Zoom sessions by University of Illinois natural resource educators one morning per week.Meet with classmates at several in-person sessions at the IL Extension office in Milan, IL. Learn more at: go.illinois.edu/MNHybridTraining

Learn more about the Master Gardener program here

What will you do as a Master Gardener?

After successfully competing your training, you will have the opportunity to participate as a Master Gardener volunteer helping us extend horticulture education and environmental stewardship in your community. Volunteer opportunities may include presenting to clubs or civic groups about gardening and other horticulture topics; developing demonstration gardens (pollinator, perennial, vegetable, rain, etc.) that serve as educational tools; educating citizens on how to establish community gardens; providing horticulture resource information at community events; answering gardening questions via our horticulture hotline; offering seasonal horticulture lessons to youth at schools or clubs, and other opportunities that interest you.

Master Gardeners also get together on a monthly basis for meetings, continuing education, and fellowship.

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact Tracy Jo Mulliken. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting participant needs.