Registration

2026 DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt County Master Gardener Training

Macon County Master Gardener Training | $175

Spring 2026 | Tuesdays | 9 AM - Noon | February 3 - April 14
Register by January 26
In-person training at the Decatur Public Library
130 N. Franklin St. Decatur, IL 62523

Piatt County Master Gardener Training | $175

Spring 2026 | Tuesdays | 9 AM - Noon | February 3 - April 14
Register by January 26
In-person training at the Piatt County Extension Office
210 S. Market St., Monticello, IL 61856

If you are in DeWitt or Piatt County, please contact Beth Miglin at 217-762-2191 or bmiglin@illinois.edu with any questions.
If you are in Macon County, please contact Whitney Allison at 217-877-6042 or wallison@illiois.edu with any questions.

The mission of the Illinois Master Gardener program is “Helping Others Learn to Grow.”
To become a Master Gardener, all you need is an interest in gardening, time to volunteer in the community, and a desire to share your knowledge with others.

Master Gardener training, taught by University of Illinois Extension educators and specialists, emphasizes practical, research-based information.

Training topics include: botany, annuals and perennials, soils, insects, woody ornamentals, vegetables, fruits, turf, integrated pest management, and wildlife. After the training program, Master Gardeners volunteer their time and expertise by sharing their horticulture skills with the community through garden projects, educational outreach, and helping others learn to grow.

Upon successful completion of training, volunteers log 40 hours as interns to become a certified Master Gardener Volunteers. To remain certified, active Master Gardener Volunteers complete 10 hours of continuing education and volunteer 20 hours in approved projects yearly. Volunteer opportunities vary by county.

Participants may be eligible to receive a $175 fee waiver, please contact us for details.

Once you submit this Master Gardener class registration:

The Master Gardener Program Coordinator will contact you for an informal interview.
Classes and 40 hours of volunteer time are mandatory to become a certified active Master Gardener. Volunteer time can be completed within 2 years of taking the course.
To maintain certification in subsequent years, you must complete 10 hours of continuing education and 20 hours of volunteer activities annually.

Create an account

Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

Street Address 2

City

State

ZIP

Daytime Phone

Evening Phone

E-mail Address

Please select the Master Gardener course option you would like to sign up for:

In-Person Training | Monticello | February 3 - April 14 ($175.00)

In-Person Training | Decatur | February 3 - April 14 ($175.00)

I would like discuss additional training options or request a fee waiver.

Briefly state why you would like to become a Master Gardener.

Briefly state your gardening interests such as vegetables, flower, herbs, etc.

Please list any special skills, hobbies or interests such as photography, carpentry, computers, graphic art, and public speaking.

Do you have any teaching experience with children or adults, either formally or informally?

Yes

If you have had any teaching experience, please describe. *if none please input N/A

I am interested in becoming a:

DeWitt County Master Gardener

Macon County Master Gardener

Piatt County Master Gardener

Please list any food allergies, sensitivities, or health conditions we should be aware of as snacks will be provided during training. *if none please input N/A

Do you know anyone who is currently a Master Gardener? *if so, please list their names

If you are accepted into the Master Gardener Program and you complete the training, do you agree to continue your education by accomplishing 40 hours of volunteer internship in approved University of Illinois Extension projects within 2 years following training?

Yes

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.

Gender

Ethnicity

Race

Refund Policy

No refunds will be issued unless the class is canceled.

Total Registration Cost $