Illinois Extension
Registration

2025 State Master Gardener Conference Registration

We're excited to head back to Sangamon County for the 2025 Master Gardener Conference to celebrate the Illinois Master Gardener program's 50th Anniversary!

Join your fellow gardeners for two days of learning and connection. New this year: We're holding multi-hour "Super Seminar" sessions on Thursday to allow you to deep dive into a variety of topics! And we'll have some special celebrations included to celebrate 50 Years of Helping Others Learn to Grow: Rooted in Community, Growing Through Connection.

The conference includes a keynote address, panel discussion, two educational breakout sessions, lunch, silent auction, and vendor shopping. Sessions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Optional tours, super seminars, and an evening dinner/social is held on the first day of conference.

Visit the annual conference webpage for the full schedule and session descriptions.

September 4-5, 2025 at the Crowne Plaza: 3000 S Dirksen Pkwy, Springfield, IL 62703
Thursday Super Seminars are located at the Sangamon County Extension Office, Lincoln Memorial Garden, and Kreher Agriculture Center at Lincoln Land Community College- all a short drive from the Crowne Plaza. Thursday Dinner and Social is located at the Trutter Center at Lincoln Land Community College.

There is a block of rooms reserved at the Crowne Plaza and you'll receive booking information in your confirmation message after registering. 

Registration is open until the end of the day on August 30.
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Contact Information

Thursday, September 4

Spend your day on a half day bus tour, a three hour Super Seminar session, or a combination of both. These are designed to mix and match your Thursday morning and afternoon plans.

Thursday, September 4 - Charter Bus Tours- Half Day Morning and Afternoon

Join us on garden adventures in the surrounding Springfield area. Travel will be by Charter Coach for each of the half day tours, leaving from the Crowne Plaza. This is a walking tour at each site, please wear comfortable shoes. Suggested to bring hat and sunscreen. Time is included in between for lunch on your own.

Thursday, September 4 - Super Seminars Morning and Afternoon

Dive deep into advanced training topics in our new three hour long, Super Seminar sessions. Located at three different sites in the Springfield area. Travel to each location is on your own and lunch is on your own. 9:00 AM to Noon for the AM sessions, 1:30-4:30 PM for the PM sessions- Lunch on your own in between

Thursday September 4 Evening Dinner and Social - 5:30-8:00 pm

Join us for an evening of dinner and fun trivia with your fellow volunteers. As well as a fun surprise local guest! The evening includes a dinner of pork loin, meatless lasagna, mixed vegetables (vegan), cheesy potatoes, dinner rolls and dessert. Iced tea and water included. There is no bar available.
Portobello Mushroom Steak: Marinated and grilled with green beans, artichokes, tomatoes and balsamic reduction on a bed of wild rice
Leaving from the Crowne Plaza at 5:15 and heading to the Trutter Center prior to the evening start time at 5:30. The bus will leave the Trutter Center to return to the hotel at 8:00.

Friday, September 5- Educational Conference:

Options for Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, Extension staff, award winner guests, and local horticulture enthusiasts. For questions that do not pertain to you, please select Not Applicable.
The Friday lunch will be a buffet including a Caesar salad, antipasto salad, meat lasagna, chicken piccata, cheese tortellini, broccoli, breadsticks and dessert. Iced Tea and water included. If you have any dietary restrictions that go beyond this offering, please let Melissa Bland mrbland@illinois.edu, know as soon as possible so we can work with the chef for meal accommodations.
Discount code
Use this option if you are bringing a guest along with you that will just attend the luncheon- example, someone who is attending alongside an award winner for lunch and the awards ceremony, but that is all.

Select the breakout sessions of your choice.

Silent Auction Items Pay and Pick-up | 3:00-4:30 PM

If you cannot make it to to conference and would like someone from our county to pickup instead, please indicate the pickup person below.
Note- these will not be mailed. Someone needs to be there to pick it up for you.
I, the undersigned, do hereby consent to the use by The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois (“University”) of my image, voice, or both described below, in (1) the video, photograph, or audio recording described below; and (2) any video, photograph, or audio recording reproduced either in whole or in part from the video, photograph or audio recording described below: regardless of whether these materials are used for fundraising, advertising, publicity, or any other purpose on behalf of either the University or its Foundation. I warrant that I have the full right and authority to grant this consent. In addition, I waive all claims to compensation or damages based on the use of my image or voice, or both, by either the University or the Foundation. I also waive any right to inspect or approve the finished photograph or video or audio recording. I understand that this consent is perpetual, that I may not revoke it, and that it is binding on me, my heirs and assigns. I warrant that I am at least 18 years of age and that I am competent in my own name insofar as this consent is concerned, or that I am the parent or legal guardian authorized to sign on behalf of a person under age 18. I further attest that I have read this consent form and fully understand its contents.

If you're re-directed back to this page after clicking Continue to Step 2, scroll back up and make sure a selection is made for every required question. It won't advance to the next page until each selection is made.

Civil Rights Compliance - Participant Info

As part of our commitment to providing equal opportunities in our programming, University of Illinois Extension is required to collect and report overall statistics about the race, ethnicity, and gender of program participants. Your responses are voluntary and appreciated.

Refund Policy
Refunds for cancellations are available BEFORE August 30. All cancellations after this date will not be eligible for refund.
Total Registration Cost $