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Helping Others Learn to Grow
This year, 280 attendees gathered in Rockford for the 2026 Illinois Master Gardener Annual Conference and had such a wonderful time! We thank the Extension staff and volunteers from the Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winnebago, and surrounding counties for all their help in making this year's conference a success! We could not move this conference to various sites around the state without the help of local staff and volunteers. Also, a big congratulations to all our Outstanding, Sustained, and Teamwork award winners.
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.