Texas Master Gardener Association Search for Excellence Awards Program
The Texas Master Gardener Association (TMGA), in cooperation with the Texas Master Gardener Program, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas A&M University System,
recognizes and presents awards for exemplary achievement.
How to Write an Impact Statement
Outstanding Individual Master Gardener Entry Form
Outstanding Master Gardener Association Entry Form
Marva E. Beck JMG® Leader of the Year Entry Form
Texas Search for Excellence Award Entry Form
(Use for Youth-JMG®, Youth-Other, Teaching Site, Workshop/Presentation, Written/Recorded Educational Content, Research entries)
Judge’s Feedback on Writing Goals, Collecting Quantitative Data, and Measuring Impact
Download the forms from the links above. All forms are in Word.
Questions? E-mail awards@texasmastergardeners.
The “2025 Awards Year” refers to activities that occurred during the 2025 calendar year. The Texas Master Gardener Association encourages full participation in the Awards Program. All Texas Master Gardener Associations that were a “Member in Good Standing” for the 2025 Awards Year are eligible to participate provided their 2025 TMGA dues payments were postmarked by March 1, 2025, their Charter Documents and Officer/Director Rosters were received by January 31, 2025, and they were actively using VMS to track volunteer hours.
Please refer to the following link to review those requirements and check your association’s status in the ”2025 Association Member Eligibility List” on the web page: Association Member Eligibility
Awards Submissions will be accepted beginning January 1, 2026 and closing January 31, 2026 at 10:00pm.
Membership Size Groupings
Associations are grouped by the number of members reported to the TMGA Treasurer with dues payable and remitted during the 2025Awards Year.
- Group I – Redbud: 1-49 dues paying Texas Master Gardeners
- Group II – Dogwood: 50-99 dues paying Texas Master Gardeners
- Group III – Magnolia: 100-199 dues paying Texas Master Gardeners
- Group IV – Live Oak: 200+ dues paying Texas Master Gardeners
Categories for awards:
The categories for Texas Search for Excellence awards are as follows:
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- Youth-JMG® – The Youth category recognizes a Master Gardener program that coordinates Junior Master Gardener® groups, activities, and service-learning projects.
- Youth-Other – The Youth-Other category recognizes a Master Gardener program that coordinates non-JMG® associated youth activities and service-learning projects.
- Teaching Site – This category recognizes a project which establishes a new or substantially enhances an existing (1) physical location, or (2) service point, for educational purposes to showcase or share best horticulture practices. A teaching site must be fixed or permanent. A “physical location” teaching site may have a permanent physical address. A “service point” teaching site may be utilized virtually but must include a permanent phone number, email address, or web page link for patrons to request information or assistance. (Examples: Help Desk Phone No., Help Desk Email Address or Website Request Form). Some examples of a teaching site are a demonstration garden, a school or community garden, a help desk (location specific or virtual), or a permanent educational display at an Extension office.
- Workshop-Presentation – This category recognizes an in-person or digital educational program which is a teaching opportunity presented by Master Gardeners to the community to provide educational information about a horticultural topic. The educational program may include workshops, presentations, interactive public engagements, or organized teaching tours, and can be a one-time event or on-going. This category can include digital efforts but is limited to workshops, presentations, or engagements that were delivered in real-time (live). (While we realize that many digital workshops are recorded for viewing afterwards, this category refers to content primarily developed/delivered for a live audience.)
- Written-Recorded Educational Content – This category recognizes any form of print or digital material created, written, recorded, and/or filmed by Master Gardeners as a tool for education. This category includes newsletters, pamphlets, calendars, videos, podcasts, and mass media or social media efforts and can be distributed digitally or in print. (While we realize that many digital workshops are recorded for viewing afterwards, this category refers to content NOT primarily developed/delivered for a live audience.)
- Research – The Research award recognizes a project with applied scientific methodology conducted by Extension Master Gardeners with oversight provided by a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service employee. This entry must be written by the Master Gardeners involved, not by Extension staff.
- Marva E Beck JMG® Leader of the Year – This award recognizes one adult, chosen from all submitting associations regardless of size, who demonstrates effective leadership in support of JMG® programs in his or her Master Gardener association or county. This adult may be either an Extension Master Gardener or a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service employee. Applicants for this award must be county faculty, staff, or a Master Gardener volunteer, and be affiliated with one or more registered Texas JMG® groups. This award is given in the name of Mrs. Marva Beck, 2000 Texas Master Gardener President, for her visionary leadership, initiative, and ability to plant seeds of hope for the gardening youth of Texas. This award is given yearly in her name to commemorate her contributions to the JMG® program.
- Outstanding Individual Master Gardener – The Outstanding Individual category recognizes an Extension Master Gardener who is a certified member in good standing within a Texas Master Gardener association, and whose involvement and contributions during the awards year are of primary importance, although prior year contributions or involvement may also be considered.
- Outstanding Master Gardener Association – This category recognizes a Master Gardener Association that contributed programs and/or projects of significant educational value to the community. The programs and/or projects may be ongoing.
2025 Awards Committee
The 2025 TMGA Awards Committee is comprised of:
Debby Hopkins-Higham Chair, McLennan County
Susan Blakey TMGA 1st VP and Co-Chair, Collin County
Kathryn Wells TMGA President and ex-officio member, Denton County
Josh Shuster TMGA 2nd VP and ex-officio member, Hays County
JoAnne Knodel Awards Processor, Brazoria County
Sharon Zaal Awards Process Coordinator, Galveston County
Robin Collins Legacy Member, Galveston County
Louie McDaniel Legacy Member, McLennan County
Ellen Armistead Awards Judges’ Coordinator, Brazoria County
State Coordinator – Dr. Jayla Fry
State Program Manager – Nicky Maddams
Please send any questions/concerns to [email protected]
2024 Award Winners and Entries
2023 Award Winners and Entries
2022 Award Winners and Entries