Oregon Master Gardener™ Awards and Grants

Each year, at the summer conference, the Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener Program and the Oregon Master Gardener Association recognize Master Gardener volunteers at the statewide and county level. County-level Master Gardeners of the Year are cooperatively selected by local associations and OSU Extension Master Gardener program staff.

Information and applications for the state-level awards are below. The final date for submitting applications for all awards, grants and scholarships is May 15 each year.

Oregon Master Gardener Association Awards

Marje Luce Search for Excellence Award (SE)

Identifies a superior project created by a local chapter that is worthy of submission to the International Master Gardener Conference. Submissions can be made in  one of seven categories: Youth Programs, Demonstration Garden, Workshops, Community Service, Innovative Project, Special Audiences, or Research.
SE Guidelines and Application

Longevity Award

The purpose of the OMGA Longevity Award is to honor and thank Oregon Master Gardeners who have been loyal and dedicated volunteers for 20, 30, 40 or
more years. Too often these amazing dedicated volunteers are taken for granted. These awards are one way to say “THANK YOU.” Chapter president or representative submit awardee names.
Longevity Award submission form

Oregon Master Gardener Association Grants

Carlson Memorial Fund (CMF)

The Carlson Memorial Fund commemorates the life and work of Dr. Karl Carlson, and serves as a tribute to his dedication to the Oregon Master Gardener Association, and to the OSU Extension Service. The purpose of the fund is to enhance the OSU Home Horticulture Program by making available funds to help OSU Master Gardener chapters in the following ways:

• To assist new or struggling OSU Master Gardener chapters become better established.
• In the establishment of new OSU Master Gardener chapters.
• In the implementation of new programs or projects related to home horticulture, when financial assistance is needed.

CMF Guidelines and Application

Extension Educator Grant (EE)

The OMGA Extension Education Grant Program funds OSU Extension personnel, program assistants, or designated OSU Extension staff responsible for county Master Gardener programs, to enhance their ability to educate the public in home horticulture.
EE Guidelines and Application

Send-a-Friend Scholarship (SF)

The OMGA Send-A-Friend program assists individuals recommended by their local chapters with a scholarship to attend the OMGA summer conference. One $100 scholarship per chapter can be awarded with funds sent to the treasurer of the chapter.
SF Guidelines and Application

OSU Extension Master Gardener Statewide Awards

These three awards are coordinated by the OSU Extension Statewide Master Gardener Program Manager. The OMGA Statewide Awards Committee is composed of the Statewide Master Gardener Program Leader, the OMGA President Elect, and past winners of statewide awards.

Statewide Master Gardener of the Year

Recognizes a person who has significantly helped to cultivated resilient and healthy communities throughout Oregon through sustainable horticulture education or gardening projects that are rooted in science and that are supported by OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers.

State Master Gardener of the Year application

Behind the Scenes Statewide Master Gardener of the Year

Nominees support the mission of the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program in supporting  sustainable gardening via education and outreach with significant statewide impact.

State Behind the Scenes application

Statewide Growing and Belonging Award (GBA)

Recognizes the volunteers who have significantly contributed in advancing diversity, inclusion, access, and/or equity among Master Gardener volunteers across the state, and the communities we work with. We value the impact their work has made in creating a belonging environment, inclusive of diverse communities such as race, ethnicity, culture, abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or growing our volunteer work in traditionally under-invested communities.
State GBA application

County Master Gardener Association Awards

Oregon Master Gardener Association county chapters individually recognize significant volunteers in their association with the Master Gardener of the Year, Behind the Scene and Growing and Belonging awards. Local winners are announced at the summer conference and in the OSU Extension annual impact report.
County Chapter awards criteria