Honoring excellence
Support the Master Gardener ProgramThroughout this site there are links to documents of various file types. Please contact our Statewide Program Leader if you require this information in a different format.
Celebrating Service and Leadership
The WSU Extension Master Gardener Program thrives because of dedicated volunteers who share research-based gardening knowledge and environmental stewardship throughout Washington. Through education, leadership, and mentorship, they make a lasting impact in their communities and across our statewide program.
We are pleased to recognize the nominees for the 2026 WSU Extension Master Gardener Program Awards, sponsored by the Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State. These outstanding volunteers exemplify service, leadership, and commitment to the program’s mission.
Award recipients will be announced at the Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State Annual Meeting on November 18.
2026 Master Gardener of the Year Nominees
Robbie Harris
WSU Extension Snohomish County Master Gardener
Robbie Harris has made an exceptional impact on the Snohomish County Extension Master Gardener Program since joining the class of 2022. At the Jennings Demonstration Garden, he renovated and maintains the irrigation system, trains other Master Gardeners, supports interns, manages the tomato garden, and contributes to garden repairs and demonstrations. He also serves on the New Garden Build Team, helping develop a future demonstration garden for education and outreach.
Beyond the garden, Robbie co-leads the tomato team, supports plant-sale fundraising, and has directed employer matching gifts to the Foundation. As IT advisor, he led the transition to SharePoint and the Foundation’s move from Weebly to the Unified Foundation Websites model. His secure clinic-scheduling system and website integration improve volunteer coordination, protect personal information, reduce costs, and create lasting benefits for the program.
Gilbert Plascencia
WSU Extension Yakima County Master Gardener
Gilbert Plascencia exemplifies the spirit of service, leadership, and dedication that defines the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program. A highly respected volunteer in Yakima County, he contributes countless hours to plant sales, demonstration gardens, outreach events, and volunteer mentoring. Known for his approachable nature and willingness to help wherever needed, Gilbert supports both new and experienced volunteers while strengthening the program’s educational mission through community engagement, hands-on teaching, and a commitment to helping others succeed.
Beyond his volunteer service, Gilbert has made a lasting impact through his financial leadership, governance expertise, and statewide service. As Treasurer for both the Master Gardener Foundation of Yakima County and the Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State, he has helped strengthen financial practices, improve budgeting and compliance, and guide foundations through complex nonprofit and tax requirements. His work on statewide governance documents, foundation-program agreements, and volunteer training resources has improved coordination and sustainability across Washington. Through generous mentorship, practical leadership, and a dedication to building strong organizational foundations, Gilbert has helped ensure the long-term success of WSU Extension Master Gardener programs throughout the state.
Brenda Spilker
WSU Extension King County Master Gardener
Brenda Spilker is an active WSU Extension King County Master Gardener who has made a strong contribution since joining the program in 2020. During the pandemic, she used her technology expertise to support fellow volunteers and served as a steady leader on both the King County and statewide Technology Teams. She also mentors new trainees, encouraging their ideas and helping them remain engaged in the program.
Brenda’s leadership is especially timely in guiding thoughtful use of artificial intelligence within the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program. Drawing on her risk-management background, technology knowledge, and collaborative approach, she has brought together King County and statewide leaders to explore practical AI guidance, including appropriate uses, limitations, accuracy, and related concerns. Her work is helping build a lasting, responsible framework for how the program can use emerging technology to support research-based horticultural education.
The WSU Extension Master Gardener of the Year award recognizes an exceptional WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the Extension Master Gardener (EMG) Program. This award is sponsored by the Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State
The recipient of this award is someone who has truly gone above and beyond in their efforts to promote and enhance the EMG program by providing leadership at the state and county levels, has had significant statewide or broader impact on the EMG program, and has made a lasting contribution to the Program.
Nominations will be accepted from county WSU Extension Master Gardener Programs and submitted only on the WSU Extension Master Gardener of the Year Nomination form. Only one nomination can be accepted per county chapter per year. This is an individual lifetime award.
2026 Ed LaCrosse Distinguished Service Award Nominees
Craig Lawrence
WSU Extension Chelan/Douglas County Master Gardener
Craig Lawrence has played a transformative role in strengthening the digital infrastructure of the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program and the Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State. Since 2021, he has led the development of the Unifying Foundation Websites project, helping create a cohesive statewide web presence while preserving local county identities. Through monthly Open Labs, one-on-one mentoring, and ongoing support for platforms such as GivePulse and Microsoft 365, Craig has empowered volunteers across Washington to confidently use and manage the tools that support their work.
In addition to his technical expertise, Craig is a dedicated mentor and collaborative leader who consistently helps others succeed. His contributions to statewide website templates, the MS365 project, and digital training resources have improved communication, strengthened program operations, and increased consistency across counties. By sharing his knowledge generously and building sustainable systems that others can maintain, Craig has enhanced the professionalism, visibility, and long-term capacity of both the Master Gardener Foundation and the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program statewide.
Carrie Hill
WSU Extension King County Master Gardener
Carrie Hill has provided sustained, distinguished service to the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program since becoming a Certified Master Gardener in 2014. Through service as a Master Gardener Foundation Board member and President during leadership transitions, as well as in clinic, program leadership, and intern-training roles, she has helped build durable systems for recruiting and preparing new interns to meet the needs of Plant Advice Clinics.
Her most visible and far-reaching contribution is the Clinic Resource Box: a physical and online, searchable collection of WSU-based gardening information used throughout King County and increasingly adopted by other Washington counties. Carrie created and continually maintains these practical teaching tools through extensive research, organization, updating, printing, laminating, binding, and topic-based color coding. The boxes support reliable, client-centered “say, show, share” teaching, including at sites with limited internet access, and give clinicians statewide a sustainable, replicable resource for delivering accurate gardening advice.
Gilbert Plascencia
WSU Extension Yakima County Master Gardener
Gilbert Plascencia has provided exceptional local and statewide service to the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program and the Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State. His nonprofit financial, legal, and governance expertise has helped chapters navigate new tax requirements, improve budgeting, and avoid unnecessary costs. He has strengthened statewide coordination through his work on the Foundation–WSU Extension MOA template, state bylaws, corporate documents, and training on foundation/program relationships. A thoughtful mentor who shares his knowledge generously, Gilbert has created practical, lasting resources that benefit both local and state foundations. His sustained contributions have made the organization stronger, more coordinated, and better prepared for the future.
Robert Taylor
WSU Extension Lewis County Master Gardener
Robert “Bob” Taylor is nominated for the 2025 Ed LaCrosse Distinguished Service Award in recognition of nearly 25 years of exceptional service to the Lewis County and WSU Exension Master Gardener programs. Since becoming certified in 2001, he has contributed almost 30,000 volunteer hours through local and state leadership, adult education, greenhouse and plant-sale operations, and innovative youth outreach. His long-running Garden Science curriculum at Toledo Elementary reaches more than 2,200 students annually, blends hands-on gardening with math and science, and has supported measurable school achievement gains. Through sustainable programs in youth education, pollinator habitat, recycling, and community gardening, Bob has created a lasting, replicable model of service that continues to strengthen communities across Washington.
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 Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State. Nominees need not be an Extension Master Gardener (EMG).
Nomination forms will be made available in the spring of each year.
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
2026 Extension Master Gardener Media Award Nominees
Kathy Hansen
WSU Extension Stevens County Master Gardener
Kathy Hansen has dramatically expanded the reach of the WSU Extension Stevens County Master Gardener Program through creative and engaging communication. As manager of the county’s Facebook page, she creates educational, informative, and eye-catching content that promotes gardening, master gardener activities, and community events. Her posts are widely shared by other counties and statewide programs, helping increase awareness of the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program across Washington.
Kathy also leads the county’s newspaper outreach efforts, coordinating and editing the weekly Perennial Wisdom column and monthly gardening articles. A skilled writer, educator, and mentor, she has helped develop a team of master gardener authors who provide high-quality gardening information to the community. Through her storytelling, leadership, and dedication to public education, Kathy has become a powerful ambassador for the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program.
Marty Byrne
WSU Extension King County Master Gardener
Marty Byrne has elevated the visibility and professionalism of the WSU Extension King County Master Gardener Program through outstanding leadership in communications and media outreach. She coordinates messaging across more than 50 clinics, demonstration gardens, and educational programs, helping ensure a consistent and recognizable master gardener presence. Through strategic media relationships, event promotion, branding, and social media, Marty has dramatically expanded public awareness and engagement with the program.
Working largely behind the scenes, Marty developed communications protocols that connect media outlets with knowledgeable WSU Extension Master Gardeners while helping volunteers represent the program effectively. She also created systems and resources that support hundreds of volunteers, strengthening both internal communications and public outreach. Her creativity, organization, and commitment have made King County a trusted source of gardening information and significantly increased the program’s reach and impact.
Leah Hughes
WSU Extension Lewis County Master Gardener
Leah Hughes has transformed communications for the WSU Extension Lewis County Master Gardener Program through her leadership of the program’s Facebook page, website, newsletters, and email communications. Her engaging content, timely updates, and welcoming style have increased awareness of master gardener activities, educational opportunities, and volunteer programs while helping keep the community informed and connected.
In addition to managing digital communications, Leah plays a key role in producing The Real Dirt newsletter and the weekly Friday Blast, both valued resources for volunteers and community members. Through her thoughtful outreach, including public communications and community-focused articles, Leah has strengthened recognition of the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program and helped expand participation in its educational mission.
Kris Moberg-Hendrod
WSU Extension Spokane County Master Gardener
Kris Moberg-Hendron, a Spokane County WSU Extension Master Gardener certified in 2013, has contributed more than 7,031 volunteer hours to research-based horticultural education. She writes and edits the monthly newsletter, The Lowdown, co-authors and updates SpokaneScape landscaping resources, and develops Extension fact sheets. Her outreach includes community presentations, statewide conferences, demonstration garden tours, and newspaper and television interviews on water conservation, native plants, integrated pest management, and wildfire preparedness.
According to the nomination, SpokaneScape resources have reached more than 20,000 county residents since 2019, and Kris has taught more than 2,000 residents through WaterWise Wednesday workshops and SpokaneScape 101 classes since 2022. She has also helped develop water-wise and wildfire preparedness demonstration gardens and trained volunteer tour guides. Through partnerships with libraries, city agencies, and conservation organizations, her educational activities share practical gardening information and introduce community members to participation in the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program.
The WSU Extension Master Gardener Media Award, sponsored by the Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State (MGFWS), 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 WSU Extension Master Gardener programs, Washington State University (WSU) or MGFWS members. Nomination forms will be made available in the spring of each year.