Statewide Master Gardener volunteer awards

Purpose of the Master Gardener Volunteer of the Year Award

Honors a volunteer who exemplifies the highest level of service to the OSU Master Gardener Program through leadership, initiative, and impact.

Criteria

Leadership and initiative
Demonstrates initiative in leading projects, mentoring others, or improving program operations.
Examples: guiding major projects, developing tools, initiating new efforts.

Impact and outcomes
Creates measurable benefits for the program or community.
Examples: expanding program reach, improving sustainability, increasing participation.

Inclusivity and belonging
Models inclusive practices that help all participants feel welcome and valued.
Examples: adapting materials, encouraging diverse participation, building bridges across communities.

Commitment and integrity
Embodies OSU values through reliability, positivity, and accountability.

Scoring emphasis
Balanced across all criteria.

Purpose of the Program Champion Award

Recognizes a volunteer whose leadership and dedication strengthen the Master Gardener Program itself—its people, systems, and shared culture.

Criteria

Volunteer support and mentorship
Builds capacity within the volunteer community through guidance, onboarding, and encouragement.

Innovation and problem-solving
Improves how the program operates, communicates, or connects people.

Fostering belonging and teamwork
Creates a welcoming, respectful, and collaborative volunteer environment.

Sustained dedication to program success
Demonstrates long-term commitment that improves program health and reputation.

Scoring emphasis
Mentorship and belonging are weighted more heavily.

Purpose of the Growing and Belonging Community Award

Celebrates a volunteer who strengthens and broadens the program’s connection to people and communities through outreach, partnerships, and inclusive practices.

Criteria

Community engagement and partnerships
Builds bridges with community organizations, schools, or nonprofits.

Advancing equity and access
Ensures gardening education reaches diverse audiences.

Sustainable and measurable impact
Demonstrates tangible outcomes such as increased food access, habitat restoration, or improved stewardship.

Collaboration and storytelling
Shares impact in ways that inspire others to participate or support the program.

Scoring emphasis
Community engagement and equity are prioritized.

Purpose of the Distinguished Educator Award

Honors a volunteer who exemplifies excellence in horticultural education by communicating science-based information with clarity, curiosity, and inclusivity.

Criteria

Educational excellence and accuracy
Delivers reliable, research-based gardening information.

Teaching and communication skill
Engages diverse learners using effective and inclusive methods.

Curiosity and continued learning
Demonstrates ongoing professional development and a growth mindset.

Growing and belonging through education
Creates welcoming, accessible learning environments.

Scoring emphasis
Teaching skill, belonging, and educational excellence are prioritized.

Nominations for statewide OSU Master Gardener Awards close on October 31 each year. This timeline allows nominations to reflect a full year of volunteer contributions and aligns with the close of annual volunteer hour reporting.

Statewide award recipients are announced in mid-December. Winners are celebrated through a recorded announcement from program leadership and featured across OSU Master Gardener communication channels.

You don’t need to upload county award winners to the statewide program.

County-level awards are planned, selected, and celebrated locally, at a time and in a way that works best for each county. Reporting county award winners to the statewide program is no longer required. Counties are encouraged to share and celebrate award recipients through local newsletters, events, and community channels.

Nominations may be submitted by:

• Master Gardener program coordinators
• Association leadership
• Individual Master Gardener volunteers

All certified OSU Master Gardener volunteers are eligible for statewide awards, regardless of Oregon Master Gardener Association membership or whether their county has an association.

Yes. A volunteer may be nominated in more than one statewide award category if their contributions align with multiple award criteria. However, they may only win in one category each year. Each nomination is reviewed independently using the standardized rubric.

No. The statewide OSU Master Gardener Awards operate on a separate timeline and are not linked to Joy of Gardening.

Award recipients are announced in December. Winners are invited, but not required, to attend Joy of Gardening.

The awards were redesigned to better reflect how Master Gardener volunteers serve communities today and to create a clearer, more equitable and more accessible recognition process.

The updated structure:

• Ensures all certified volunteers are eligible for statewide recognition.
• Clarifies the roles of the OSU Master Gardener Program and the Oregon Master Gardener Association.
• Aligns award criteria with current program values, including community impact, education, leadership and inclusion.
• Reduces administrative complexity and confusion around timelines and reporting.

The changes were developed by a statewide working group of Master Gardener staff and faculty, in close collaboration with OMGA, to ensure recognition is meaningful, timely and reflective of the program’s mission.

Richard Bertram exemplifies the spirit of the Master Gardener Program. A gifted teacher and generous mentor, he shares his knowledge of propagation and hydroponics through volunteer trainings, webinars, and hands-on tours of his garden and systems. Richard has taught for the Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up series, Clackamas County’s 10-Minute University, and the Joy of Gardening conference.

He serves as a steady, thoughtful leader—stepping in as Umatilla County president during a difficult transition and contributing to projects like the bylaws committee, the South Hill demonstration garden, and the Pendleton Farmers’ Market tasting booth. He’s currently leading efforts to launch a new Pendleton Community Garden.

Richard gives freely of his time and resources, offering plant starts for educational events, donating fig trees to community gardens, and mentoring new trainees. When the Pendleton Library needed advice on a new garden space, he toured the site and shared expert guidance. His home has hosted educational meetings and even helped welcome new staff and volunteers.

Despite his deep expertise, Richard remains humble and encouraging. When others hesitate to try something new, he shares his own failures and reminds them that’s how learning happens.

Always ready to teach, always ready to serve—Richard makes everyone around him feel supported and inspired. Our county, our state, and our program are better because of him.

Since joining the first Clatsop County Master Gardener class in 1987, Linda Brim has been a cornerstone of the Master Gardener Program. With nearly four decades of leadership, education, and mentorship, she has consistently demonstrated her passion for horticulture and community service.

Linda has taught public classes on everything from ornamental plant care to slug management, and she led the Annuals and Perennials module for Master Gardener training for over 20 years. Her dedication extends beyond teaching—she’s held every leadership role in the Clatsop County Master Gardener Association and has been instrumental in shaping programs like the Spring Garden Seminar, our demonstration garden, and the county scholarship program.

Her vision and guidance were vital in transforming the fairgrounds demonstration garden into a vibrant, inclusive, educational space. Even during COVID-19, Linda rallied fellow Master Gardeners to reimagine the space, helping implement accessible pathways, thematic plantings, and outdoor learning areas.

Linda generously mentors new volunteers, mediates with care, and shares her vast knowledge of ornamental plants and sustainable gardening. From trialing new techniques like soil solarization to advising plant clinic volunteers and presenting on local radio, she meets every opportunity to educate with enthusiasm.

A tireless advocate for youth education and community gardening, Linda is a true trailblazer whose impact is felt in every corner of Clatsop County’s Master Gardener Program—and beyond.

Barbara Low exemplifies what it means to be a Master Gardener leader, educator, and advocate. Since 2020, she has served as President-Elect and President of the Jackson County Master Gardener Association (JCMGA), bringing extraordinary dedication and vision to her role.

Barbara has chaired or co-chaired multiple working groups, including Member Services, Marketing & Technology, Fundraising, Winter Dreams Summer Gardens, and the Spring Garden Fair. She co-directs the Practicum education program, serves as a speaker for the JCMGA Speakers Bureau, writes for and edits the Garden Beet newsletter, and mentors at the Plant Clinic every week.

She’s a tireless ambassador for the Master Gardener Program, staffing the JCMGA booth at numerous community events and supporting efforts like Plant A Row, which donates fresh produce to local food pantries. Her educational leadership extends to speaking at the Joy of Gardening conference and guiding Master Gardener trainees through practicum classes.

Barbara’s leadership style is marked by integrity, humility, and grace. She joined multiple working groups during her leadership journey to better understand the inner workings of the organization and foster collaboration. Her support during the dissolution of the Josephine County Master Gardener Association was critical, demonstrating her compassion and commitment to the broader MG community.

Barbara’s impact is wide-reaching and deeply felt. Her energy, kindness, and service to the Master Gardener mission continue to inspire her fellow volunteers and strengthen the program across southern Oregon.

Julie Stanbery has been a cornerstone of the Douglas County Master Gardener Program since 1992, shaping its growth through more than three decades of leadership, mentorship, and unwavering dedication.

Julie has served in nearly every major role within the county’s association, including President, Plant Clinic Coordinator, and longtime manager of the Horticultural Learning Center (HLC)—a unique and standout project among Oregon’s Master Gardener initiatives. Under her leadership, the HLC has flourished into a thriving hub for education and community service.

Julie is a trusted mentor, helping new trainees gain confidence and find their place within the program. She teaches five pruning classes annually and plays a key role in developing training opportunities and educational programs. She is also instrumental in guiding the Discovery Garden in Douglas County, working closely with Extension faculty to plan and facilitate impactful programming.

Beyond her practical knowledge and organizational talent, Julie has worked to align the association’s mission with that of OSU Extension, ensuring lasting, mission-driven success. Her ability to lead with consistency and care has made her a role model across the state.

Julie’s decades of service reflect a deep commitment not only to gardening but to growing a strong, supportive community. Her impact is felt in every corner of the Douglas County program and far beyond. As former Extension faculty Steve Renquist notes, “Few have led their county and state programs with such commitment and dedication as Julie.”

Carole Hardy brings deep knowledge, gentle leadership, and a commitment to community to her work with the Multnomah County Master Gardener Program. A forest ecologist and environmental science educator, Carole has developed inclusive, research-based educational programming that expands the Master Gardener mission in meaningful ways.

Carole partnered with Title I schools like Arleta and Marysville Elementary to create a series of family workshops at the Multnomah County Demonstration Garden. These hands-on sessions, reaching over 250 students and parents annually, connect gardening with ecology, food systems, and environmental stewardship.

She also launched the free “Learn in the Garden” workshop series, opening the Demo Garden to the public on Sundays, offering practical, seasonal classes on pollinators, native plants, climate resilience, food gardening, and more. Carole has grown community partnerships with nonprofits like Feed the Mass, All Saints Episcopal Food Pantry, and Wisdom of the Elders.

To increase belonging among volunteers, Carole extended Demo Garden hours to evenings and weekends, making participation more accessible. She’s cultivated a space where newer and seasoned volunteers collaborate, learn, and lead together.

Carole’s impact continues through her work on the Garden Future initiative and new curriculum for 10-Minute University™, supporting education for all levels of gardeners. Her efforts exemplify what it means to foster a sense of place, purpose, and belonging—planting seeds of knowledge that grow strong community roots.

Kristie and Stephen Kalb are champions of inclusive, community-rooted garden education. After completing the Seed to Supper program in 2016, they launched local classes throughout Marion and Polk Counties—sharing food-growing skills with individuals facing food insecurity. In response to growing community needs, they expanded the curriculum into Grow Your Own on a Budget, offering broader access to affordable gardening education.

Their classes are delivered evenings and weekends, directly within neighborhoods—eliminating barriers like transportation and meeting people where they are. From churches to apartment complexes to schools, the Kalbs continually cultivate community partnerships, including with Marion-Polk Food Share.

Both Kristie, a former nurse, and Stephen, a healthcare administrator, bring deep listening, humility, and teaching expertise to every interaction. They foster trust and belonging—especially among underrepresented communities. Their inclusive mindset led them to recruit Tomas, a trilingual community member who now reaches new audiences through Spanish-language outreach and even Reddit.

Kristie and Stephen regularly speak at Master Gardener trainings, recruit new volunteers, and mentor trainees. Their presence is welcoming, their approach adaptive, and their reach ever-expanding.

According to faculty, “Kristie and Stephen are the embodiment of this award. They are passionate about inclusivity and work hard to include everyone in their teaching. They have taught dozens of residents how to grow vegetables—and they generously mentor the next generation of gardeners.”

With compassion and commitment, the Kalbs are growing not just gardens—but community.

Since becoming a Master Gardener in 2012, Colet Allen has been a quiet powerhouse behind nearly every major effort of the Jackson County Master Gardener Association (JCMGA). A long-time board member and dedicated volunteer, Colet’s contributions often happen behind the scenes—but their impact is felt across the region.

She is deeply involved in key working groups including Spring Garden Fair, Winter Dreams Summer Gardens, Membership, Community Outreach, and Events. She coordinates speakers for the Master Gardener Speakers Bureau, organizing presentations for clubs, nonprofits, and libraries throughout the valley. Her leadership has brought Master Gardener education to wider audiences through OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) and local library systems.

Colet was instrumental in starting Friends of the Gardens, helping to organize public garden tours and grow community awareness. During Master Gardener training, she volunteers weekly as a Garden Bud, mentoring new students. She also plays a key role in coordinating graduation ceremonies, picnics, and other special events.

Colet doesn’t seek the spotlight, but she ensures the stage is set—every time. Whether she’s managing schedules, coordinating speakers, or developing new outreach opportunities, she is helping the Master Gardener mission grow strong roots in the community.

Thanks to Colet’s vision and dedication, thousands of residents across Jackson County have access to quality gardening education. Her tireless work, positive attitude, and behind-the-scenes brilliance make her an ideal recipient of this statewide recognition.

Since becoming a Master Gardener in 2018, Stephanie Hazen has poured her time, talent, and passion into public education and outreach—especially around pollinators, native plants, and wildlife. A retired veterinarian and Master Mellitologist, Stephanie is a tireless behind-the-scenes force in Marion County and across the state.

Stephanie creates and maintains displays used by other Master Gardeners, trains volunteers in public speaking, and coordinates materials for plant clinics and tabling events. Her hands-on “Bee vs. Fly vs. Wasp” display is a hit at the Oregon State Fair, Ag Fest, and the Englewood Forest Festival, captivating children and families alike. In 2023, she led the county’s first Pollinator Symposium in partnership with Marion Soil & Water Conservation District—an event that drew hundreds—and is already planning future events.

She photographs, writes, and curates educational slide shows used statewide and shares seed packets, made and assembled by hand, complete with custom plant photos and growing instructions. She and her husband, Ray Temple, raise Monarchs, grow milkweed, and design pollinator gardens.

In 2024 alone, Stephanie logged over 370 volunteer hours, reached 1,900 contacts, and traveled more than 1,600 miles in service to the Master Gardener Program. She also helps coordinate educational programs with Salem Audubon, Ankeny Wildlife Refuge, and Heritage Seedlings—netting donations of native seeds and seedlings to support outreach and plant sales.

Stephanie’s dedication, generosity, and relentless commitment to science-based outreach make her a model behindthe- scenes contributor and a true ambassador for the Master Gardener mission.

Dan McDonald is the driving force behind the Washington County Master Gardener Association’s Grow 1 Give 1 (G1G1) project—an outreach initiative that connects food pantry clients with resources to grow their own food. Under Dan’s leadership, the program has flourished: in 2024, Master Gardeners grew and distributed 753 plants, 407 grow bags with soil, and 1,700 seed packets. Volunteers connected with 200 community members and provided garden education to 915 participants across seven food pantries. For 2025, the program is expanding to serve nine sites and will give away more than 1,100 plants.

Dan coordinates more than two dozen volunteer growers, developed a class to train them in vegetable propagation, and leads the WCMGA Learning Garden’s vegetable team. His behind-the-scenes efforts build confidence in volunteers and expand access to fresh food and garden knowledge throughout the community.

In addition to G1G1, Dan has served two years on the WCMGA board as Business Manager, teaches classes for the public and fellow Master Gardeners, and is a core leader of Gardenfest, the chapter’s annual fundraising event. Since becoming a Master Gardener in 2020, he has contributed over 1,100 volunteer hours—nearly 500 of them in 2024 alone.

Dan exemplifies the mission of the Master Gardener Program through his dedication, leadership, and commitment to community food access. His steady behind-the-scenes work has created meaningful change for both volunteers and the communities they serve. Congratulations, Dan!