Will County Gardeners Celebrated at 2025 Statewide Conference

Local volunteers from Will County received recognition for their exemplary contributions to gardening and community education at the 2025 University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Conference. Held on September 4 and 5, 2025, in Springfield, Illinois, the event commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Master Gardener program.

The conference honored recipients of the annual Master Gardener Awards, which are categorized into three distinct areas: Outstanding, Teamwork, and Sustained Excellence. According to Nancy Kuhajda, an Extension horticulture educator, only 1% to 2% of volunteers statewide achieve this recognition. Kuhajda stated, “Local Master Gardener volunteers are helping others learn to grow and are making a significant difference. These volunteers work tirelessly in our communities and dedicate themselves to public education, enhancing natural resources for pollinators and donating fresh produce.”

This year’s honorees included Merry Jo Montgomery from Wilmington, who was awarded the Outstanding Master Gardener Award. Her leadership and creativity were highlighted through initiatives such as the launch of the Mill Race pollinator garden. Montgomery is also recognized for developing innovative teaching tools, including a quilted worm and fabric lima bean models.

In addition, Amy Stewart from Joliet and Sue Gregory from Shorewood received the Teamwork Award. They were recognized for their leadership of the Joliet Central and Joliet West high school garden clubs, which have become the largest non-sport clubs at both institutions. Their efforts have inspired teens, many of whom had little prior gardening experience, to learn and apply essential gardening skills.

The 50th anniversary conference featured a range of workshops, tours, and a keynote address focused on designing gardens that appeal to all five senses. A panel of former Extension staff members discussed the program’s rich history and its continued growth throughout Illinois.

“It’s been five decades since this program’s purposeful start and mission to help others learn to grow,” stated Candice Anderson, state Master Gardener specialist. “Over the years, this program has grown more than just plants; it has built strong relationships that continue to connect communities.”

For more information about the Master Gardener program, interested individuals can visit the official website at extension.illinois.edu/mg.