Do You Have To Have A College Degree To Become A Master Gardener In Illinois

Become A Master Gardener

Do you value education, love gardening, and like to volunteer?

The Master Gardener program is for you!

"Wonderful way to meet people with similar interests while doing
something you enjoy." – Kathy

"I am so grateful to have been able to attend this class." – Janet

"I had so many 'ah ha' moments where I understood what I had been doing wrong" -- Randy

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Join the Master Gardener Team!

Apply Champaign
Apply Vermilion
Apply Ford- Iroquois

Find out more about the Champaign County Master Gardeners here.

To become a Master Gardener, you start by submitting an interest form. After the local coordinator reviews the application, you will be contacted for a brief interview.

Take the first step and apply online or you can download, print, and mail the application. (If you choose to mail, please send the application to Tabitha Elder at Champaign County University of Illinois Extension Office, 801 Country Fair Drive, Champaign, IL 61821). Next Training starts January 2022.

Once you submit this interest form,

The Master Gardener Program Coordinator will contact you for a meeting.
When accepted into the program, you will be asked to complete volunteer screening paperwork (required documents below) as required by the State Master Gardener program.
You will then receive the final registration and course information. The fee is $300 for hybrid training. Need Based Financial Assistance is Available.
MG Training classes and 60 hours of volunteer time must be completed in order to become a certified active Master Gardener. Volunteers have 2 years to complete their internship.
To maintain certification in subsequent years, you must complete and report 10 hours of continuing education and 30 hours of volunteer activities annually.

Find out more about the Vermilion County Master Gardeners here.

We are offering hybrid-in-person and online versions for Vermilion Master Gardener Training. In-person classes are typically held once a week for 11 weeks, beginning at the end of January. Classes are taught by live instructors in a classroom or outdoor setting with field trips to Master Gardener projects and local greenhouses.

To become a Master Gardener, you start by submitting an interest form. After the local coordinator reviews the application, you will be contacted for a brief interview.

Take the first step and apply online or you can download, print, and mail the application. (If you choose to mail, please send the application to Jenney Hanrahan at Vermilion County University of Illinois Extension Office, 3164 North Vermilion, Danville, IL 61832). Next Training starts January 2022.

Once you submit this interest form,

The Master Gardener Program Coordinator will contact you for a meeting.
When accepted into the program, you will be asked to complete volunteer screening paperwork (required documents below) as required by the State Master Gardener program.
You will then receive the final registration and course information. Need Based Financial Assistance is Available.
MG Training classes and 60 hours of volunteer time must be completed in order to become a certified active Master Gardener. Volunteers have 2 years to complete their internship.
To maintain certification in subsequent years, you must complete and report 10 hours of continuing education and 30 hours of volunteer activities annually.

Find out more about the Ford - Iroquois County Master Gardeners here.

To become a Master Gardener, you start by submitting an interest form. After the local coordinator reviews the application, you will be contacted for a brief interview.

At this time, folks from Ford and Iroquois Counties may take the class with the Vermilion training class.

Once you submit this interest form,

The Master Gardener Program Coordinator will contact you for a meeting.
When accepted into the program, you will be asked to complete volunteer screening paperwork (required documents below) as required by the State Master Gardener program.
You will then receive the final registration and course information. Need Based Financial Assistance is Available.
MG Training classes and 60 hours of volunteer time must be completed in order to become a certified active Master Gardener. Volunteers have 2 years to complete their internship.
To maintain certification in subsequent years, you must complete and report 10 hours of continuing education and 30 hours of volunteer activities annually.

Volunteer Training Options

Our next Master Gardener volunteer training will take place in 2022. Please feel free to fill out an interest form in the meantime and we will reach out to you when we are interviewing for class.We cannot guarantee all these options will be available next year.

Face-to-face training: In-person classes are typically held once a week for 11 weeks, beginning at the end of January. Classes are taught by live instructors in a classroom or outdoor setting with field trips to Master Gardener projects and local greenhouses.
Trainees will have at 2-3 hours of independent study to do prior to the weekly session. During sessions, trainees participate in a live presentation presented by Extension Educators and Horticulture experts. The class will be limited to a small number of students. Seats are reserved upon receipt of payment and registration forms which include a background check. Fee includes Master Gardener Manual-a great resource for gardening in Illinois!
Online training: For those unable to attend the traditional face-to-face training, an online, self-guided course is available to take from the comfort of home at your own pace.
Non-Volunteer Option is also available for those interested in learning the horticulture material from our training course, but not intending to become a Master Gardener volunteer.
- Read more about the online training program on the course welcome page

What will you learn? Classes are taught by University of Illinois Extension educators and horticulture specialists. Topics include botany, soils, vegetables, fruits, flowers, trees and shrubs, grasses, landscaping, insects, native and invasives, and diseases.