ABOVE: Graduates of the 2023 Vermilion County Master Gardener class working on their teamwork project at Danville Gardens.
THE FOLLOWING IS A UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION RELEASE
DANVILLE, Ill. – Calling all green thumbs! Do you love gardening and are passionate about sharing your knowledge with others? Do you live in Vermilion County? If so, we encourage you to join the University of Illinois Master Gardeners!
The Vermilion County Extension Office will offer Online Master Gardener Training Classes in January 2024. Registration is open from now until January 8, 2024. The class will cost $300 and includes all course materials, including a wonderful manual written by University of Illinois Educators. Need-based financial assistance is available, but applicants should apply early.
“The Master Gardeners program is a fantastic opportunity to nurture your passion for gardening while positively impacting your community,” says Master Gardener coordinator Jenney Hanrahan. “Through comprehensive training, hands-on experience, and collaborative projects, you’ll expand your horticultural knowledge and contribute to beautifying our neighborhoods, fostering environmental awareness, and inspiring others to embrace the joys of gardening.”
Online students enjoy self-paced training where they can take classes in any order after completing the introduction. Master Gardener training is designed to be viewed on a desktop, laptop, or tablet. A strong internet connection is highly recommended. The Master Gardener training program will provide in-depth horticultural education. As a Master Gardener, you will learn about various gardening topics, including Plant Diseases, Insects, Annuals and Perennials, Trees, Shrubs, Fruits, Vegetables, Organic Gardening, and more.
Once you have completed the training, you can volunteer your time and expertise in various ways, such as working on community garden projects and perhaps even teaching gardening workshops to the public. In 2023, the Vermilion County Master Gardeners alone volunteered over 8,000 hours of service time and donated nearly 6,000 pounds of fresh produce to senior citizens and local food pantries.
Apply at go.illinois.edu/ApplyFordIroquoisVermilionMGTraining. Learn more about the Vermilion County Master Gardeners at go.illinois.edu/VCMG or contact Jenney Hanrahan at jhanraha@illinois.edu. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact our office at 217-442-8615.
Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities. Illinois Extension is part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.
