Contact Us

University of Illinois Extension serving Boone, DeKalb and Ogle Counties

Main Office (Ogle County)
421 W Pines Rd, Ste 10
Oregon, IL 61061
Phone: 815-732-2191
FAX: 815-732-4007
Email:uie-bdo@illinois.edu
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm

Branch Office (Boone County)
915 Alexandra Drive
Belvidere, IL 61008
Phone: 815-544-3710
FAX: 815-544-4606
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm (Closed 12 - 1pm)

Branch Office (DeKalb County)
1350 West Prairie Drive
Sycamore, IL 60178-3166
Phone: 815-758-8194
FAX: 815-758-8199
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm (Closed 12 - 1pm)

Boone County Master Gardeners

Boone County Master Gardeners

What Is the Master Gardener Program?

The Master Gardener program is sponsored by University of Illinois Extension and provides training for adult volunteers who help to disseminate up-to-date, research-based horticulture information to home gardeners.

This premier community volunteer program has been in existence in Illinois since 1975 and currently has over 3,300 Master Gardener volunteers.

Why Become a Master Gardener?

As a Master Gardener, you'll learn about environmentally sound and practical gardening techniques specific to your growing area. You'll also play an important role in sharing that information with others in your community.

Qualifications Needed to Become a Master Gardener

Anyone can become a Master Gardener – it does not require a degree in horticulture! You do, however, need to:

  • Have a sincere desire to learn and share home horticulture information
  • Have practical experience or knowledge of gardening
  • Be willing to follow U of I pest control recommendations and home horticulture information
  • Be able to communicate effectively
  • Devote time to training sessions and volunteering

What Does the Training Involve?

Training sessions are typically offered one day a week over a four-month period starting in January. Sessions are taught by University of Illinois Extension Educators or Specialists. An on-line option is also available. Call the Boone County Extension office for specific information about dates, times, and locations.

There is a fee to take the training which helps to cover the cost of materials. This includes the Master Gardener manual that is yours to keep and consists of two large notebooks filled with helpful resources and reference publications.

What You Will Learn?

A combination of classroom instruction and demonstrations is used to present information about topics such as:

  • Basic Botany
  • Soils
  • Woody Ornamentals
  • Fruits & Vegetables
  • Herbaceous Ornamentals
  • Insects
  • Turfgrass and Weeds
  • IPM
  • Diagnostics

What You Will Do As A Volunteer?

Master Gardeners learn to be effective volunteers. There are many ways you can fulfill your volunteer commitment. A few of Boone County's volunteer opportunities are:

  • Answer home gardener questions through the Extension office Hotline
  • Create and maintain a demonstration garden
  • Give talks to groups interested in horticulture
  • Assist in preparing and staffing exhibits and displays
  • Serve as a mentor for new Master Gardener Interns
  • Write horticulture articles for the local newspaper
  • Assist in taking photos of activities and events
  • Maintain the gardens at other community locations
  • Assist in therapeutic horticulture activities