The Western Extension Directors Association (WEDA) Awards of Excellence Program was created in 2005 and the awards were given for the first time at the joint summer meeting in that year. The purpose of the WEDA Awards of Excellence is to recognize Extension outreach education programming that has achieved outstanding accomplishments, results, and impacts in addressing contemporary issues in one or more of the 13 Western states and Pacific Island US Territories.

The Awards of Excellence are given annually to individuals or multi-discipline teams for single state or multi-state programs. The Western Region Program Leadership Committee administers this program on behalf of the WEDA.

Awards are presented by the Chair of the WEDA. Winners receive a plaque, certificate, and monetary stipend in support of their program. The award recipients present a brief seminar at the time of the award presentation, typically during the Western Regional Joint Summer meeting.