Additional Information
Register Online
- School and Community Garden Training 2019
Register by February 22, 2019 - Four Seasons Gardening Webinar - Creating a Living Flower Arrangement - 3/5/19
Register by February 26, 2019 - Four Seasons Gardening Webinar - Pruning Deciduous Shrubs - 3/19/19
Register by March 12, 2019 - Cook County SOUTH SUBURBAN Master Gardeners - Request a YOUTH Program
Register by December 31, 2019 - Chicago Master Gardener Replacement Badge Order Form
Register by December 31, 2019 - Cook County SOUTH SUBURBAN - Community Garden Assistance 2019
Register by December 31, 2019 - Cook County SOUTH SUBURBAN - School Garden Assistance 2019
Register by December 31, 2019 - 2019 Conservation@Home Cook County Certification Application
Register by December 31, 2019 - 2019 Conservation@Home Cook County SCHOOL Certification Application
Register by December 31, 2019
Online Forms and Surveys
Find Events
-
Small Farms Winter Webinar - FSMA Produce Safety Exemptions and Guidance
February 21, 2019
-
School and Community Gardening Training
February 23, 2019
-
Chicago Master Gardener Meeting - Chicago Safe Soils Initiative
February 26, 2019
- View Full Calendar >>
Read the Latest News
- Chicago Urban Gardening Blog
The day to day experiences of a University of Illinois Extension Urban Horticulture Educator in Chicago, Illinois - Learn, Grow Food, Eat It...... Blog
Exploring local food production and issues in urban areas at a variety of scales. - Nature Inquiry Adventures Blog
Youth exploring nature through a partnership between the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and U of IL Extension - Suddenly I Seed! Blog
Check out what our 2015 University of Illinois Extension Interns are doing this summer! - Timeline Through Landscape Design - ARCHIVES Blog
A blog to guide home gardeners with seasonal landscape improvements. - Gardener's Corner
Four seasons of gardening information. - Home Yard and Garden Pest
Provides timely information on insect, weed, and plant disease pests for landscapers, arborists, lawn care professionals, golf course personnel, and garden center operators. - Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News
A newsletter on the production of fruit and vegetable crops in Illinois.
Contact Us
Margaret Burns Westmeyer
Program Coordinator, Horticulture
University of Illinois Extension
4747 Lincoln Mall Drive
Suite 601
Matteson, IL 60443
Phone: 708-679-6889
FAX: 708-679-6855
mburnswe@illinois.edu
Nancy Kreith
Extension Educator, Horticulture
University of Illinois Extension
4747 Lincoln Mall Drive
Suite 601
Matteson, IL 60443
Phone: 708-679-6889
FAX: 708-679-6855
kreith@illinois.edu

Cook South Suburban Master Gardeners
Master Gardener Volunteer Training and Certification Program
The next Master Gardener training for the south suburbs will take place in fall of 2020. For more information or to be added to the 2020 future training interest list please email Margaret Burns-Westmeyer, at mburnswe@illinois.edu or call (708) 679-6894.
Who We Are
The Cook South Suburban Master Gardener Program focuses primarily on serving the Cook County suburban area south of Roosevelt Road. Master Gardeners are required to complete their volunteer hours in the unit that they train with. There are affiliated but separate Master Gardener Programs for other parts of Cook County. These are in North Cook Suburban and Chicago units.
The Master Gardener (MG) adult volunteer program is nationwide. Master Gardeners are a vital link in getting horticulture information to the public through Illinois Extension offices. Education is what we're all about. With no products or services to sell, Master Gardeners can provide unbiased, research-driven information from the University of Illinois to the public.
Course Content
Master Gardeners participate in more than 60 hours of training on botany, soils, fertilizers, vegetables, tree and small fruits, turf, landscaping, weeds, diseases, insects, Integrated Pest Management, woody plants, perennials and annuals. The sessions are taught by Illinois Extension educators and are coordinated by your local county office. The emphasis of the information is practical, yet research driven. There are weekly quizzes as well as a final exam. Students must pass a final comprehensive exam by achieving 80% or better (open book).
Training Dates
Face to Face Training Program: To be held on one weekday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for eleven consecutive weeks. The format for this training will be in-person, classroom training with limited hands-on opportunities. You must be available for all eleven sessions to participate in the face-to-face training. The classes will be held at various locations in/around Cook County south suburbs. Locations may include but are not limited to:
Orland Park Cultural Center, Orland Park
Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Training Schedule
Please check back for the exact training dates and locations.
Cost
2020 Face-to-Face Program projected cost: $350.00
The face-to-face training fee covers: Master Gardener training manual, Pest Management for the Home Landscape guide, supplemental handouts, administrative travel expenses, educational supplies for volunteer-led programs, certificates, class refreshments, temporary name badge, and official name badge upon graduation.
Volunteer Component
Master Gardeners give back at least 60 hours of volunteer time to the Cook South Suburban Master Gardener program within a year. After completing 60 hours of volunteer time you will become a Certified Master Gardener. As a volunteer, you are required to undergo all necessary background checks. Volunteers are responsible for recording their hours along with the demographics of their audience. Volunteering can take the form of answering questions from consumers at the "MG Help Desk" or working on special projects such as Speakers Bureau, hands-on classroom horticulture activities, leading school gardens, providing technical assistance for community gardens, worm composting demonstrations, insect petting zoo, and providing information at Farmer's Markets.
Our Public Audience
We aim to serve youth and adults of all ages and backgrounds through our public programming. Much of our programming is free or low cost and we typically bring hands-on programs to community groups and centers. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.
Reasonable Accommodations
If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in this program, please contact Nancy Kreith at kreith@illinois.edu or (708) 679-6889.
For more information e-mail Margaret Burns-Westmeyer, at mburnswe@illinois.edu or call (708) 679-6894.
In need of MG volunteer assistance?
In exchange for this challenging educational experience, Master Gardeners are required to volunteer 60 hours, primarily to share their new knowledge and skills with the community. Master Gardeners are a dedicated group, and many choose to return to volunteer sites year after year to share their knowledge with others. Master Gardeners can provide guidance for school and community gardens, fulfill speaker requests, and answer home gardening questions. To request MG assistance, please contact Margaret Burns-Westmeyer (contact info above).
Volunteer Policy and Required Forms:
- Background Check - Extension Volunteer Reference
- Background Check - CANTS
- Background check - Convictions
- Master Gardener Returning Annual Agreement
- Master Gardener Trainee / Intern Agreement
- Policies for IL Master Gardeners
- Required Non-Discrimination Form
Required - Non Discrimination Form PDF All independent projects, partner organizations and program sites must complete and return the ORIGINAL form before services will be conducted. http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cook/downloads/45568.pdf
- Volunteer Emergency Contact Information