Honoring those who go above and beyond
Please download the fillable pdfs and email to the Awards Committee as indicated on the form.
Learn more about the Ed LaCrosse Distinguished Service Award
This Lifetime award recognizes someone who has had a significant statewide (or broader) impact on the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program or has acted on behalf of the
MGFWS. Nominees need not be an Extension Master Gardener (EMG).
About Ed LaCrosse (1927-2020)
Ed LaCrosse was a gifted leader with integrity, commitment, a legendary
knowledge of native plants and a willingness to educate and bring together community volunteers. Ed completed his Master Gardener training in 1991 and was active for 25 years in a variety of roles.
He served at King County EMG Clinics, plant sales, and became a board member and President of the King County Master Gardener Foundation in the 1990s. He went on to be a Board Member and President of the Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State (MGFWS), 1999-2006, and served as Historian.
In 2008, the MGFWS Distinguished Service Award was renamed the Edward LaCrosse Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his commitment, involvement and service. WSU recognized his contributions to the EMG Program with a dedication and planting
of a Sequoia tree with plaque at the WSU Research Center in Puyallup.
Ed was named WSU Extension Master Gardener of the Year at the 2010
Master Gardener Advanced Education Conference in Vancouver, Washington. In 2013, the mayor and City of Kent recognized Ed for over 15 years of coordinating Volunteer Services at the Neeley-Soames Historical EMG Demonstration Gardens in Kent. He was
a member and Steward of the Native Plant Society, spoke often for the King County EMG Speakers Bureau on Native Plant Gardening, and led the development and maintenance of the Native Plant Garden at Wesley Homes in Des Moines, WA.
While Ed was honored with emeritus status in 2012, our state-wide WSU Extension Master Gardener program continues to enjoy the benefits of his legacy. Link to Ed’s Obituary
Learn more about the Extension Master Gardener Media Award
The MGFWS Media Award recognizes an individual who frequently contributes to one or more Washington media covering garden topics, education, demonstrations, etc. emphasizing the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program and making a significant and enduring positive impact on the program.
Nominations can be made by county programs, Washington State University (WSU) or Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State (MGFWS) members.
Please use the Word file form to submit your application, expanding it to no more than two pages. The awards committee will choose the winner based on these ratings detailed on the form. (1-5; 5 is the high score.)
The award will be presented at the annual WSU Extension Master Gardener Advanced Education Conference or as designated by the MGFWS Board.
Learn more about the Extension Master Gardener of the Year Award
The Extension Master Gardener of the Year winner will be recognized and given the award by the Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State (MGFWS). The Master Gardener of the Year (MGoY) winner will be featured in an article in the MGFWS newsletter, “Seeds for Thought”, and on the MGFWS website.
Nominations will be accepted from WSU Extension Master Gardener county chapters and submitted only on the MGFWS Master Gardener of the Year Nomination form. Only one nomination can be accepted per county chapter per year. This is a lifetime award and is an individual, not shared award.
The Awards Selection Committee chairperson will, with a 4–6-person committee, choose the best candidate from the nominees. The award will be given at the annual WSU Extension Master Gardener Advanced-Education Conference or as designated by the MGFWS Board.