Applications available June 15 for Master Gardener training

Do you have a passion for gardening? Do you like to share your gardening knowledge with others? Do you enjoy spending time volunteering in the community? If the answers are "Yes," then becoming a Master Gardener is perfect for you.

Since 1975, the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program has brought horticultural help to communities across the state. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Illinois Master Gardener program.

The MG program is designed to increase the availability of research-based horticultural information in a nonbiased manner to the public through trained Master Gardeners. The mission of the Illinois Master Gardener program is "Helping Others Learn To Grow."

The Master Gardener training program includes extensive horticultural training that will encompass a wide variety of topics to equip Master Gardeners with a diverse set of skills and knowledge. You will complete about 60 hours of in-person training on topics such as botany, soils, herbaceous plants, trees, native plants, insects, disease and diagnosis, integrated pest management and more. Training will be held every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for eleven consecutive weeks and are taught by Illinois Extension educators.

Training dates are Sept. 2 through Nov. 11.

Explore the University of Illinois Extension website for North Suburban Cook County at go.illinois.edu/LearnMoreMG to get more information about the Master Gardener training program, volunteer opportunities and requirements.

Only 30 applicants will be accepted into the training program. The online application is available until June 15. Find the fall training application at go.illinois.edu/2020NorthCookMGApp.

For more information on the North Suburban Cook County Master Gardener program, contact Nejra Muminovic, Extension program coordinator, at muminov2@illinois.edu or (224) 347-1089; or Gemini Bhalsod, Extension horticulture educator, at gbhalsod@illinois.edu or (224) 347-1090.

- Karen Pacey and Stephanie Kenny

• Provided through the Master Gardener Answer Desk, Friendship Park Conservatory, Oak Park Conservatory and University of Illinois Extension, North Cook Office, Arlington Heights. Visit go.illinois.edu/LearnMoreMG or email northcookmg@gmail.com.