Become a Master Gardener with University of Illinois Extension

University of Illinois Extension will host two local Master Gardener Program informational meetings in June.

Interested individuals can meet certified Master Gardeners and learn more about this valuable volunteer program and how it serves the communities.

"Master Gardeners are a diverse group of residents with a desire to learn and share knowledge with their communities," said Sarah Fellerer, Master Gardener program coordinator in Kane and Kendall Counties. "You do not need to be an experienced gardener to qualify. If you are looking for a way to volunteer and grow your knowledge of horticulture, this may be the opportunity for you."

Master Gardeners reach into the communities with service projects in partnership with local organizations, and they also work the Master Gardener help desk by answering the phone line and assisting residents who come to the office with garden and landscape questions.

The Master Gardener program requires 60 hours of horticultural training in return for 60 hours of volunteer time to support the Master Gardener Program. Thirty of the first 60 volunteer hours must be completed at the Master Gardener Help Desk, which is open to the public during the growing season.

The fall 2015 training program will begin Sept. 1 and run through Nov. 17. Classes will be held each Tuesday from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the University of Illinois Extension office in St. Charles.

Core topics include: basic botany, soils and fertilizers, vegetables, woody ornamental plants, large and small fruits, insects and disease diagnosis, pesticide safety and herbaceous plants (perennials). A program fee of $250 covers the training costs and includes a copy of the award-winning Illinois Master Gardener Manual.

"I encourage anyone curious about the Master Gardener program to attend one of our June meetings," Fellerer said. "Our wonderful corps of Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions about the program and share their experiences."

Informational meetings will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, in St. Charles and 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 24, in Yorkville. The Kane County Extension office is located at 535 S. Randall Road, St. Charles, and the Kendall County Extension office is at 7775B Illinois Route 47 in Yorkville.

To register, email Sarah Fellerer at fellerer@illinois.edu or call the Extension office at (630) 584-6166 or at (630) 553-5823. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, notify at least two weeks before the event.

To learn more about University of Illinois Extension programs, visit web.extension.illinois.edu/dkk. University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs and research-based information to help Illinois residents improve their quality of life, develop skills and solve problems.