This document printed from the University of Illinois Extension Cook County at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/
Become a Master Gardener in the South or Southwest Suburbs of Cook County
What is a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener?
The Master Gardener program is an educational, volunteer program offered by the University of Illinois Extension. The program is designed to increase the availability of university-based horticultural information to local communities and individuals through trained volunteers known as Master Gardeners.
Instruction:
Attendance at all eleven training classes is required. The classes run January through March consecutive Wednesdays from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at 5527 Miller Circle Drive, Matteson, 60443 except as noted.
Training schedule for 2010
University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener trainees participate in more than 60 hours of training. Training sessions are taught by University of Illinois Extension Educators. The emphasis of the information is practical, yet research based. Students must pass a final comprehensive exam (all open book).
Cook South Schedule:
Jan 6 Botany - Pollard
Jan 13 Soil - Phillips
Jan 20 Herbaceous flowers & Roses - Stack
Jan 27Woody Plants (Trees, Shrubs) - Hentschel
Feb 3 Plant Pathology (Diseases)- Pollard
Feb 10 SNOW DAY class canceled, schedule changed to the following:
Feb 17 Fruits - Kostelnick, Landscape - Pollard
Feb 24 Vegetables - Wolford
Mar 3 Integrated Pest Management at Lake Katherine Nature Center - Pollard; Potluck at noon. Afternoon - Master Gardener Idea Exchange for Cook South Suburban and Volunteer Opportunities.
Mar 10 Recording volunteer hours on the web; Volunteer Orientation to the Ask the Master Gardener Office. - staff & volunteers
March 24 Turf at Matteson Office - Kostelnick FINAL EXAM DUE
Illinois Master Gardener Training Schedule for other locations
Cost in South Suburban Cook County
Your time for classes, and 60 hours of volunteer work along with a fee ($250) to cover the cost of the Master Gardener resource manual, handouts and other class expenses.
Alternatively, the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener training is now also available during the winter months on the web (estimated fee $250).
The Illinois Master Gardener website is: http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/mg/ apply to take this class the same way as you would the face to face classes.
Applying
Fill out and return application. Each applicant will be required to go through an informal interview in the fall (Nov). The class is limited to 30. Applicants will be notified if they are accepted into the class before Thanksgiving. After acceptance, the $250 fee is due by December 10, 2009 and payable by credit card, cash, or check.
(NOTE: If you filled out an application before July 23, 2009, you must reapply. Applications prior to July 23, were not received. Thank you.)
