THE FOLLOWING IS A U OF I EXTENSION RELEASE
ABOVE: As the Illinois Master Gardeners celebrate their 50th anniversary statewide, you can join your local chapter of the Master Gardeners. Visit go.illinois.edu/joinMG2025 for more information.
Champaign, IL – Since its inception in 1975, The Illinois Extension Master Gardener program has developed a strong group of dedicated volunteers who have significantly contributed to their communities through horticulture education and outreach. Over 2,000 active volunteers invest their time and talents in cultivating gardens that feed and support healthy communities, foster hands-on learning, and support the environment. In 2023 alone, 2,358 active volunteers invested 165,508 hours of service to improve the well-being of their environment and those living there.
As the program marks 50 years of positive impact, Master Gardeners continue to uphold their mission of “Helping Others Learn to Grow.” In celebration of this golden milestone, in 2025, Extension will offer local and regional events, starting with training a new class of volunteers.
“We’re excited to welcome this next Master Gardeners class,” said Ryan Pankau, University of Illinois Horticulture Educator. “These dedicated volunteers play a crucial role in educating the public about sustainable gardening practices and beautifying our communities. Their enthusiasm and expertise are invaluable assets to our program.”
Master Gardeners undergo rigorous training to become knowledgeable and skilled in various aspects of horticulture. They actively engage in community outreach, providing educational programs, answering gardening questions, and volunteering at local gardens and events.
The program offers flexible training options to accommodate diverse schedules and learning styles. You can immerse yourself in a traditional classroom with expert instructors and hands-on experiences, learn at your own pace through a self-guided online course supplemented by in-person events and activities, or combine the best of both worlds with a hybrid approach. Information for each of these options can be found at go.illinois.edu/joinMG2025.
Rooted in a legacy of education, environmental stewardship, and the development of impactful gardening projects, Illinois Extension Master Gardeners are committed to answering the call for gardening knowledge in Illinois.
Fifty Years of Impact by Illinois Extension Master Gardeners: University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners are celebrating 50 years of positive impact across Illinois in 2025. Master Gardeners enrich communities with their commitment to horticulture education and the art and science of growing. Over 2,000 active volunteers invest their time and talents cultivating collaborative gardens that feed and support healthy communities, foster hands-on learning, enhance neighborhood beauty, and support the environment. Help Master Gardeners grow.
About Extension
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state’s land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.
