Arkansas Master Gardener Award Nominations
Honor your outstanding volunteers by recognizing their significant contribution and impact on your MG program and community.
Master Gardener Award Nomination for 2023 (for program year 2023)
Sample MG of the Year Score Sheet
Master Gardener 2022 Award Winners (awarded in 2023 for program year 2022)
Master Gardener Rookie of the Year (50 or fewer) – Colin Hester, Greene Co.
Master Gardener Rookie of the Year (51 or more) – Allen Lindley, Faulkner Co.
Mimi Cox Master Gardener Mentor of the Year (50 or fewer) – Jim MacLean, Madison Co.
Mimi Cox Master Gardener Mentor of the Year (51 or more) – Michele Lindley, Faulkner Co.
Master Gardener Extension Agent of the Year (50 or fewer) – Amy Tallent, Prairie Co.
Master Gardener Extension Agent of the Year (51 or more) – Ryan Neal, Benton Co.
Friend of Master Gardener-Individual (50 or fewer) – Kevin Vandiver, Store Services Owner, St. Francis Co.
Friend of Master Gardener-Individual (51 or more) – Hesper Hortman, Garland County Conservation District-District Manager, Garland Co.
Friend of Master Gardener-Business/Organization (50 or fewer) – Lonoke County Community Center, Lonoke Co.
Friend of Master Gardener-Business/Organization (51 or more) – Garland County Detention Center, Garland Co.
Master Gardener Newsletter of the Year (50 or fewer) – Gardening on the Prairie, Prairie Co.
Master Gardener Newsletter of the Year (51 or more) – BCMG News, Benton Co.
Excellence in Education (50 or fewer) – Watson Primary School Greenhouse & Garden and Summer Garden Club, Madison Co.
Excellence in Education (51 or more) – Officers’ Garden at Ft. Smith National Historic Site, River Valley MG Program (Crawford and Sebastian Counties)
Master Gardener Project of the Year (50 or fewer) – Madison County Food Pantry Garden, Madison Co.
Master Gardener Project of the Year (51 or more) – 2022 Plant Sale, Faulkner Co.
Master Gardener of the Year (50 or fewer) – Richard Yeazel, Greene Co.
Master Gardener of the Year (51 or more) – Judy Dare, Garland Co.
Years of Service List for 2023
Award Video of Award Winners (awarded in 2023 for program year 2022)
2023 Janet B. Carson County Scholarship Recipients
Garland County Project: Hot Springs Village Xeriscape at Cortez Pavilion (HSV Xeriscape)
The purpose of the Hot Springs Village Xeriscape project is to enhance the pollinator features of the garden located at Cortez Pavilion, educating the public and involving youth groups from local school and organizations. Signage with QR Codes will provide more information about pollinators and xeriscape gardening with quick access to information. The pollinator hotel will allow education for Master Gardeners and visitors through understanding of what is needed in the structure, which pollinators visit and their benefits to the garden, which ones will utilize the structure and their habitat needs, and how pollinators are beneficial to our environment beyond the garden. Funds for youth groups will be focused on building small pollinator structures to be utilized in the garden. Pollinator education will be a byproduct of this project.
White County Project: Rose Bud City Hall
In collaboration with the Rose Bud City Council and Master Gardeners of White County, this project is focused on resources working together to beautify the welcoming entrance to the community. The 15' x 60' welcoming garden/bed is located at the entrance of Rose Bud City Hall. In keeping with the red and white theme and logo of the city (red rambling rose), red roses and white crepe myrtles will be the major plants in the bed. Their goal is to work with the small community to promote involvement and pride in the city by all. All aspects of the community will be involved. The local shop class will be invited to create and weld a large metal sign with the Rose Bud School logo to be placed in the garden. The Rose Bud agriculture department teaches landscape design, and students will be invited to participate in the hands-on development of the garden. Master Gardeners will provide the school with a list of videos of landscape design that are applicable to the project. Master Gardeners will present a program to the local 4H club highlighting the project and inviting the members to tour.
2023 Janet B. Carson High School Scholarship Recipients
Zoe Baucum, Fayetteville High School, Washington County
Zoe has been active in FFA and won many awards, writing an essay in the World Food Prize competition about an underdeveloped country and solutions to their food crisis. Invited to the International conference in November 2022. She is the owner and operator of Greenburrow Farm, a sustainable lettuce far – till-free, tractor-free and pesticide/fertilizer free. Last season, she produced 100 lbs/week. Zoe received a $15,000 Arkansas Grown grant which should increase her production by two-fold. Zoe has been accepted into University of Arkansas – Fayetteville.
Kaleb Exum, Greene County Tech High School, Greene County
Kaleb plans to complete an associate degree and transition to ASU to complete a bachelor’s degree in agronomy. He has been active in the FFA club since the eighth grade and is also a member of the Greene County 4H. He is on several shooting sports teams. He is employed by Bower Farms and is an intern working with their agronomist. Kaleb has been accepted into Black River Technical College.
Collin Galloway, Robinson High School, Pulaski County
Collin is already a Master Gardener, working on the Old Mill and Governor’s Mansion Projects in Pulaski County. In 2022 he was the Rookie of the Year. He has a small collection of bonsai’s and tropical fruit trees and works at his family’s garden center. He plans to focus on plant and soil science and mycology (study of fungi) and is interested in the potential effects fungi can have on reversing climate change and water/soil contamination. Collin wants to be a kid with ideas – plus the capital, skills, and knowledge to bring them to life. Collin will be attending Arkansas State University.
Braden Miller, Marion High School, Crittenden County
Braden was a member of several National Honor Society organizations, earning a spot on the Honor’s List for ASU Mid-South college. His favorite sport is golf. His love of Plant Soil Science and Agriculture started when he was 15 years old, working as a scout for an agricultural consulting company. After graduating from UofA, he would like to start his own crop consulting business to work with farmers, educating them on what their fields need to thrive and grow properly. Braden will be attending University of Arkansas – Fayetteville.