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Jennifer Nelson (Schultz)
Extension Educator, Horticulture
University of Illinois Extension
3351 N. President Howard Brown Blvd.
Decatur, IL 62521
Phone: 217-877-6042
FAX: 217-877-4564
jaschult@illinois.edu

Karina Moore
Program Coordinator, Master Gardeners
University of Illinois Extension
3351 N. President Howard Brown Blvd.
Decatur, IL 62521
Phone: 217-877-6042
FAX: 217-877-4564
kmoor02s@illinois.edu

Macon Master Gardeners

Macon Master Gardeners

Who We Are

If you enjoy gardening and like to learn to share your gardening knowledge, the Master Gardener program may be for you. All you need is an interest in gardening, an open mind, and a willingness to share your knowledge with others.

The task to the Master Gardeners is to share unbiased, reliable, research-based information with home landscapers and gardeners. Another important function is to encourage young people to enjoy the pleasures of flower and vegetable growing.

Brief History

The Master Gardener program is an all-volunteer organization sanctioned by the land grant institution in each state and functions as an extension of the college or university. In Illinois, the program is sponsored by University of Illinois Extension.

The Master Gardener program started in Macon County in 1986. To date, more than 200 persons have been trained in this program with approximately 111 persons still active as Master Gardeners. To maintain the Master Gardener name, volunteers must remain active in the program.

Master Gardener Instruction

Attendance at all 12 Master Gardener training classes is required to complete the training. The training series is offered one day a week beginning January 17, 2013 through March 28, 2013. Each class begins at 9:00 am and concludes at 4:00 pm.

Training

Master Gardeners participate in more than 60 hours of training on botany, vegetables, lawn care, tree and small fruits, diseases, insects, soils, composting, pesticide safety, fertilizers, pruning, trees and flowers. The sessions are taught by University of Illinois specialists and Extension educators. Training is coordinated by area horticulture Extension educators.

The emphasis of the information is practical, yet research-based. To see the 2013 schedule go to the Forms and Downloads Tab on the left side of this page.

Cost

Cost of the program is $150 in person and $250 for the online class. This includes the Master Gardener manuals and any additional training materials used. In return for the training, Master Gardeners give back at least 60 hours of volunteer time to Macon County Extension projects in our community.

Volunteering

Opportunities for volunteerism include the Extension office home horticulture help line, working in one of the Master Gardener supported gardens for example: Decatur Public Library, Rock Springs Environmental Center and other varied service areas. Volunteers may also participate in many educational programs designed just for them!

Applying

Applications may be made at any time. If a training session is already underway when an application is received, it will be kept on file for the following year's training. Because there are not enough resources to accommodate everyone who applies to the program, class size is limited. Each applicant is required to go through an informal interview.