Title
Helping Others Learn to Grow
September 10-11, 2026
Register by Sept. 4. This event is open to Extension staff, Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists, and any garden enthusiasts.
Location: Embassy Suites Rockford Riverfront, 416 S Main St, Rockford, IL 61101
For questions about registration or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Candice Anderson at (217) 300-3198 or mille116@illinois.edu.
Past Conference Summaries
2025 Master Gardener State Conference: 50th Anniversary Celebration!
University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners celebrated a 50-year legacy rooted in community and growing through connection at the 2025 annual conference in Springfield. With 300 volunteers in attendance to celebrate half a century of helping others learn to grow, volunteers enjoyed tours of some of the capital's exhibits, like the historic Lincoln Home National Historic Site and the heirloom garden. Volunteers also participated in intensive, hands-on sessions on topics such as native landscape design.
Over the next 50 years and beyond, the program aims to expand its reach and bridge intergenerational gaps to sustain the legacy and provide even more opportunities to grow, connect, and learn.
Read more about the 50th anniversary at /news-releases/2025-master-gardener-conference-celebrates-50-years-growth-connection
2024 Master Gardener State Conference
The 2024 State Master Gardener Conference was held in Champaign, IL on September 12 and 13.
2023 Master Gardener State Conference
The 2023 State Master Gardener Conference was held in Peoria, IL on September 7 and 8.
2022 Master Gardener State Conference
The 2022 State Master Gardener Conference was held in Will County on September 8 and 9.
2021 Master Gardener State Conference
View Conference Recordings from the 2021 virtual conference.