EUREKA – Woodford County Master Gardener Jane Flanders-Osborn was selected for the 2008 Outstanding Master Gardener Award. She was one of 39 Master Gardeners from across the state that was recognized at the State Master Gardener Conference in September. Outstanding Master Gardeners are selected on the basis of strong leadership, public educational service, and the completion of over 180 hours of volunteer service.

Jane Flanders-Osborn has been a Woodford County Master for over seven years. During that time, Jane has been involved in a variety of projects, including writing, designing, and publishing the Woodford County Master Gardener Journal six times a year; serving as a periodic guest speaker on the past “In the Garden” WMBD-AM radio program; developing and presenting a program on ergonomic gardening tools and techniques; and helping with Master Gardener education and publicity efforts at different county events. Jane has logged in over 330 hours of volunteer service and has completed 88 educational hours to maintain her status as a Master Gardener.
Formerly a resident of  Secor, she has since moved to McLean County, but retains her Woodford membership.
Master Gardeners are ordinary people with two special qualities – a love of gardening and nature, and the desire to share that knowledge with others. They serve as a vital link to get University of Illinois Extension horticulture information to the public.
People who wish to become Master Gardeners complete an in-depth, unbiased, research-based training presented by University of Illinois educators and specialists. Basic botany, soils, landscaping, turf grasses, vegetables, tree fruits, small fruits, annual and perennial flowers, insects, diseases, soils, fertilizers and ornamentals such as trees and flowers are a sampling of the topics taught.
Once training is completed, Master Gardeners yearly provide 30 hours of volunteer service, such as answering questions, distributing information, working on public gardening projects, and working with youth. In addition, Master Gardeners further their education by attending 10 hours worth of guided garden tours, workshops, and conferences each year. Woodford County Master Gardeners have worked on gardens at Illinois Central College, Germantown Hills Middle School, Adlai Stevenson House, and the Davenport Elementary School.
Registrations are now being accepted for the 2009 Master Gardening Class. Applications are available at the Woodford County Extension Office. The cost of the training $165 and a training manual is provided. In 2009 the training will be held at the McLean County Extension Office in Bloomington from January 14 through April 15th during the day. The registration deadline is November 15, 2008.
If you have any questions about the program or would like an application form, contact Woodford County Extension, 117 W. Center, P.O. Box 162, Eureka, IL 61530 or call (309) 467-3789.