2026 Illinois State Master Gardener Conference- Rockford

We're excited to head to Rockford, Illinois for the 2026 Master Gardener Conference! Visit beautiful northwestern Illinois and all the wonderful horticultural destinations the city has to offer.

Join your fellow gardeners for two days of learning and connection. Back this year: We're holding multi-hour "Super Seminar" sessions on Thursday to allow you to deep dive into a variety of new topics! As well as a full day bus tour to four unique destinations. Build your own schedule of events spanning Thursday to Friday.

The Friday conference includes a keynote address, three 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 social is held on the Thursday of conference.

Our keynote speaker, Melinda Myers, is a nationally known gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist has 35+ years of horticulture experience and has written more than 20 gardening books, including her most recent Midwest Gardener's Handbook, 2nd Edition. She hosts the “Melinda’s Garden Moment” radio program and The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video series. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms and hosted “The Plant Doctor” radio show for over 20 years and 7 seasons of “Great Lakes Gardener” on PBS. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.

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

September 10-11, 2026 at the Embassy Suites Rockford Riverfront, 416 S Main St, Rockford, IL 61101

Thursday Super Seminars are located in the hotel breakout rooms, as well as Klehm Arboretum, Nicholas Conservatory, a local orchard, and Nygren Wetland Preserve, depending on your selection. Transportation is on your own for the super seminar sessions.
Thursday bus tour leaves and returns to the hotel.
Thursday social is located at the hotel.
Friday conference is located at the hotel.

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

Registration is open until the end of the day on September 4.

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Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

Street Address 2

City

State

ZIP

Daytime Phone

Evening Phone

E-mail Address

Select the County in which you serve as a Master Gardener. For other guests, select the county in which you live.

Thursday, September 10: Spend your day on a bus tour or join a three hour Super Seminar session or two.

Thursday, September 10- Charter Bus Full Day Tour

Join us on garden adventures in the Rockford area to Midway Village Museum, Nicholas Conservatory, Sinnissippi Gardens, and Anderson Japanese Gardens. Travel will be by Charter Coach for the full day tour, leaving from the Embassy Suites. This is a walking tour at each site, please wear comfortable shoes. Suggested to bring hat and sunscreen. Box lunch included.

Thursday, September 10- Full Day Tour Option

I will not attend a Thursday Bus Tour

I will attend the Thursday Full Day Bus Tour to Midway Village, Nicholas Conservatory, Sinnissippi Gardens, and Anderson Japanese Gardens. Box lunch included. ($80.00)

[4 of 50 filled]

Thursday, September 10 - Super Seminars Morning and Afternoon

Dive deep into advanced training topics in our returning three hour long, Super Seminar sessions. Located at different sites in the Rockford area, as well as the hotel breakout rooms. Travel, if required, 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 10- Super Seminar Options

I will not attend a Thursday Super Seminar

Morning- Growing Great Apples ($20.00)

Morning-Tree Care from Roots to Remedies at Klehm Arboretum ($20.00)

Morning- Therapeutic Horticulture ($20.00)

Afternoon- From Seed to Restoration: A Field Experience at Nygren Wetland Preserve ($30.00)

Afternoon- Plant Identification for Master Gardeners at Nicholas Conservatory ($20.00)

Afternoon- Give the Gift of Flowers - Beautiful Blooms in your Backyard ($30.00)

Thursday September 4 Evening Social - 6:30-8:00 pm

Join us for an evening of networking and fun trivia with your fellow volunteers. Light appetizers will be served. Recommended to grab dinner on your own before.

Thursday Evening Social at Embassy Suites- 6:30-8:00 pm

I will not attend the Evening Social

I will attend the Evening Social with light appetizers included ($10.00)

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 your registration, please select Not Applicable.

Friday All Day Conference Options | 8 AM to 4 PM Select the option that applies to you. If you don't plan to attend the conference on Friday, select not applicable. The Friday lunch will be a buffet including: If you have any dietary restrictions that go beyond this offering, please let Nikki Keltner nkeltner@illinois.edu, know as soon as possible so we can work with the chef for meal accommodations.

Friday - All Day Conference for Master Gardeners ($80.00)

Friday - All Day Conference for Extension Staff ($80.00)

Friday - All Day Conference for Master Naturalists, local horticulture enthusiasts, or invited guests ($80.00)

Not Applicable, for example.: award winner lunch only guests, and those only attending Thursday events.

Lunch Buffet ONLY for Guests | 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM The lunch buffet is included in the all-day conference registration total above. Please only select this option for guests attending the luncheon ONLY. 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.

Not Applicable/Attending Lunch Buffet via All Day Conference Registration

Lunch Buffet for Award Winner Guests ($50.00)

Lunch Buffet Guest's Name Only enter a name here if you registered a $55 lunch guest above.

Select the breakout sessions of your choice.

Breakout Session 1 | 10:30 to 11:30 am

Garden Renovations for Any Size Landscape- Affordable and Attractive Solutions to Enhance Any Garden: Melinda Myers

[3 of 60 filled]

Galls Gone Wild!: Tricia Bethke

[0 of 60 filled]

The Right Tool for the Job: Dan Cunningham

[3 of 60 filled]

Not applicable- not attending a breakout session

[0 of 60 filled]

Breakout Session 2 | 1:45 to 2:45 PM

Hydrangeas Demystified: Monica Putnum

[0 of 60 filled]

Old Favorites & New Discoveries: Perennials for Every Garden: Joel Barczak

[3 of 60 filled]

The Art & Science of Pruning to Maintain Tree & Shrub Health: David Stevens

[3 of 60 filled]

Not applicable- not attending a breakout session

[0 of 60 filled]

Breakout Session 2 | 3:00 to 4:00 PM

Patterns in Nature that Inspire Japanese Garden Design: Tim Gruner

[1 of 60 filled]

Gardening for Butterflies (and Moths!): Alan Branhagen

[5 of 60 filled]

Indoor Gardening for Food and Fun: Victor Zaderej

[0 of 60 filled]

Not applicable- not attending a breakout session

[0 of 60 filled]

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

Photo Release 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.

YES

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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.

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Refund Policy

Refunds for cancellations are available BEFORE August 30. All cancellations after this date will not be eligible for refund.

Total Registration Cost $