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U of I Ext. Master Gardener Program

About The Master Gardener Program

Volunteer Agreement/Waiver

Training Log

Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden

U of I Ext. Master Gardener Program

Download approved course lists and course updates below.

The mission of the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program is "Helping Others Learn to Grow." As defined by the University of Illinois Extension Service, Master Gardeners are a group of volunteers trained by University of Illinois Extension educators to provide a network of gardening programs and horticultural activities to educate the public and enhance life in their communities. The volunteer service they provide is vital to the Chicago Botanic Garden and to the community.

In conjunction with the University of Illinois Extension Service, the Garden offers the Master Gardener Training Program, a 10-week program that begins in mid-January and is offered every other year, with the next program scheduled for 2009. It covers the basics of horticulture, including classes on woody and herbaceous ornamental plant materials, fruit and vegetable crops, entomology and pathology. A fee is charged for the training and includes a training manual. Training consists of daytime classes once a week for 10 weeks. Attendance for all 10 classes is mandatory. Upon successful completion of the core training and passing the final exam, participants will then become Master Gardener Interns. An intern must fulfill a 60-hour volunteer commitment in order to become a certified University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener.

The 60-hour volunteer component is met by volunteering in one of the approved service areas of the Garden. These include Plant Information and other areas as needed and approved.

Applying to the Program

Acceptance into the program is limited; therefore, applications are made available in August preceding a training year, and in October applications are reviewed and accepted. There are no prerequisites other than some knowledge or experience in gardening or land management (expertise is not required) and a willingness to learn about horticulture as well as share that knowledge with others. Participants must also commit to fulfilling the volunteer component of the program. Applicants are asked for a preferred volunteer area, and interviews with staff representatives ensure a good match of qualifications and schedule to a volunteer area.

The deadline for submitting applications for the 2009 Master Gardener Training has passed.
The next training will be held in 2011.

	To learn more about the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program, visit the State Master Gardener website at: http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/mg/.
	To learn more about Chicago Botanic Garden volunteer opportunities, visit http://www.chicagobotanic.org/volunteer.

 

Notes for Existing Chicago Botanic Garden Master Gardeners

Recertification Requirements
In order to maintain certification, Master Gardeners must remain on active status. This requires 10 hours of continuing education updates and 30 hours of volunteer service each year. To document completion of these requirements, Master Gardeners should send copies of their completed education log sheets and volunteer time cards to:

Jill Selinger, Manager, Continuing Education, School of the Chicago Botanic Garden.

These should be sent no later than December 31 of each year, or as soon as the required hours have been fulfilled. Records will then updated at the Garden and also at the State Master Gardener office. All active Master Gardeners are included on the mailing list for the State Master Gardener newsletter, Imagine. Anyone who is active and is not receiving it should notify Jill Selinger.

Education Updates
There are many opportunities available for Master Gardeners to fulfill their education update. The Garden and local U. of I. Extension offices offer courses that can apply for credit toward the 10-hour requirement. Horticulture-related courses taken at other institutions may also qualify; however, Master Gardeners must contact Jill Selinger in advance for approval. Another way to fulfill the education requirement is to attend the State Master Gardener Conference held in late summer or fall each year. Approved courses offered at the Garden are available at the link below. Each term, the list will be updated as additional courses are offered.

The Chicago Botanic Garden will offer the following educational opportunities for University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener volunteers:

	Click here for descriptions of the Autumn 2009 course updates in Word format. The number in parentheses next to each course description in the catalog denotes how many hours are applicable to your 10-hour education requirement. Click here for PDF format.
	Click here for a FULL LISTING of Autumn 2009 approved courses in Word format. The number in parentheses next to each course description in the catalog denotes how many hours are applicable to your 10-hour education requirement. Click here for PDF format.
	Download the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden Course Catalog

To receive a catalog, call (847) 835-8261 or pick one up at either the Information Desk in the Visitor Center or at the Registrar's office in the Regenstein Education Center.