MATTOON, Ill. — Do you enjoy gardening and want to make a difference in your community? University of Illinois Extension invites residents of Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Moultrie and Shelby counties to take the first step toward becoming a Master Gardener volunteer by taking the hybrid Master Gardener Training.
Master Gardener volunteers share their gardening knowledge, support local projects, and help beautify their communities. No matter your gardening experience, the program offers opportunities to learn, grow, and give back.
“Becoming a Master Gardener helps you grow your gardening knowledge and improve your lawn and garden while making a meaningful difference in your community through volunteer service that beautifies and enriches the places we call home,” said Jenny Lee, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.
The 2027 winter/spring hybrid Master Gardener training will take place Tuesdays, Feb. 2-April 13 at the Coles County Extension Office. Training topics include botany, trees and shrubs, plant diseases, insects, annuals and perennials, soils, fruits, lawns, vegetables, and integrated pest management. Participants will have opportunities to connect with educators, work through case studies, and complete hands-on activities. The hybrid training fee is $250. Financial assistance may be available upon request.
Interested residents of Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Moultrie and Shelby counties can take the first step toward becoming a Master Gardener volunteer by completing the online interest form at go.illinois.edu/MGInterestForm. Before submitting the form, prospective volunteers are encouraged to visit their county’s Extension website to learn more about the Master Gardener program.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact 217-543-3755. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your needs.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.