Master Gardener training hosted by Stephenson County Journal Standard FREEPORT — The University of Illinois Extension’s Master Gardener Training was hosted this year by Stephenson County. The program had 11 participants. It was held in a flipped classroom style training, where participants completed assignments and listened to recorded lectures before attending an online class to talk with extension educators regarding the specific topic for the week. The class met once a week for 12 weeks to complete the required amount of study hours. Topics included botany, lawns, fruit, vegetables, trees and shrubs, soils, living with wildlife, integrated pest management, disease and diagnosis, annuals and perennials.