From rural farms and small towns to bustling suburbs and vibrant city neighborhoods, more than 2,600 volunteers across Illinois are making a difference through gardening. These dedicated individuals bring the mission of “helping others learn to grow” to life by sharing their knowledge and love of gardening with their communities.
Now, it’s your turn to join them.
The University of Illinois Extension is excited to announce the 2025 Master Gardener Training Program, an opportunity for gardening enthusiasts to deepen their knowledge and give back to their communities. Whether your passion lies in flowers, vegetables, landscaping, or simply helping others, this program is designed to equip you with the tools to grow and share.
Training Details:
- Start Date: September 9, 2025
- Format: Weekly webinars (Tuesdays, 9–10:30 a.m.) and in-person hands-on sessions (Thursdays, 5:30–7 p.m.)
- Location: Webinars can be attended live or via recording at any local Extension office or from home. The September 9 introduction session will be held only at the Breese office.
- Cost: $150 (includes the Master Gardener manual). Fee waivers may be available.
- Registration Deadline: August 29, 2025 (Minimum of 15 participants required)
Webinar Topics Include:
- Sept. 9 – Introduction
- Sept. 16 – Botany
- Sept. 23 – Soils
- Sept. 30 – Insects
- Oct. 7 – Trees and Shrubs
- Oct. 14 – Annuals and Perennials
- Oct. 21 – Vegetables
- Oct. 28 – Diseases
- Nov. 4 – Lawns
- Nov. 11 – Fruits
- Nov. 25 – Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
(No webinar on Nov. 18 due to Annual Conference)
Hands-On Sessions:
Held Thursdays from Sept. 11 to Nov. 20. The first session will be at the Breese office; subsequent locations will be based on participant distribution.
Participants who complete the training and wish to volunteer will be required to complete a volunteer screening process, which will be explained during the introductory session.
Ready to grow with us?
Register online at go.illinois.edu/MasterGardenerTraining25 or call the Clinton County Extension Office at 618-526-4551. Registration closes August 29.
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 700 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 six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.