Awards of Excellence

The success of the Master Gardener Program would not be possible without Master Gardener volunteers' great contributions. MGs are recognized at the state conference for years of service and achievement in specific categories (see descriptions below).

The 2015 Awards of Excellence winners will be announced at the conference on Wednesday, October 21st.

4-H and Other Youth:

Contribution to 4-H and/or other youth in the area of horticulture. Examples: 4-H horticulture leader, coach of youth horticulture judging team, organizer of youth community garden project, developer of youth horticultural therapy special education project, and author of youth horticulture literature.

Beautification and Enhancement:

Effort to beautify and enhance their community through plantings. It is based on the creation of new plantings or modifying existing plantings which can be either exterior or interior landscapes.

Communications:

Written, verbal, or social media. Examples: feature articles, news columns (2), radio show, video production, or social media platform.

Demonstration Garden:

Creation, maintenance, and education in Extension demonstration gardens by Master Gardeners. Garden planning, funding, creation, maintenance, signage, and usage of the garden are all topics that will be judged.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Projects that target a special public with respect to age, class, ethnicity, gender, physical and mental ability, race, sexual orientation, spiritual practice, and other human differences.

Educational Display:

Educational displays or exhibits intended to create awareness and educate about horticultural principles.

Educational Materials:

Development of educational materials that are part of a horticultural program for the general public or other Florida Master Gardeners. Examples: educational brochure, fact sheet, training or workshop curriculum, educational website or content posted to existing website, educational video, gardening curriculum, webinar, or presentation.

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (new this year!):

Promotion of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ in their community. Examples: yard advisors, exhibits, demonstration gardens, and educational programs.

Newsletter:

Print or electronic newsletters.

Outstanding Master Gardener:

Individual Master Gardener efforts.

Outstanding Master Gardener Team (new this year!):

Master Gardeners teams who foster cooperation, collaboration, and open communication to achieve a specific goal in the Master Gardener horticulture program and/or the gardening community.

Personal Communications:

Telephone and email activity by Master Gardeners that are responsive in nature. The responses given are to horticultural questions received at the Master Gardener helpdesk or hotline.