Throughout 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.
Award-winning performance
WSU Extension Master Gardener of the Year
Debra Benbow
WSU Extension Chelan/Douglas County Master Gardener
Debbie devotes extensive time and skill to the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program (EMG) as the current and past WSU Extension Master Gardener Advanced Education Conferences (AEC) director (2018, 2023, and as co-director in 2024), media and graphics designer for both the EMG Program and Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State (MGFWS) websites, and marketing and communication expert. She often has the most creative ideas, is the best problem-solver, and raises her hand first as a volunteer to accomplish both large and small projects. Few aspects of either state of local programming are not enhanced by the work of Debbie.
Debbie serves as an MGFWS board member, member of the 50th Anniversary Steering Committee, current and past Director of the AEC, part of the Unified Foundation Website (UFW) Project, MGFWS Communications Committee member, and on the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival Committee. There are few aspects of our WSU EMG Program and MGFWS operations that are not impacted by her work.
When looking across the state, few volunteers are more dedicated to the EMG Program, more hardworking in accomplishing projects, or more supportive of others. Debbie’s grace, talent, and caring make our Program exceptional. Her dedication is remarkable.
Debbie also received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020, recognizing her for over 4,000 hours of volunteer service to the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program.
2024 Master Gardener of the Year nominees
Gary Scheider
WSU Extension King County Master Gardener
Tana Hasart
WSU Extension Pierce County Master Gardener
Claire Cotnoir
WSU Extension Skagit County Master Gardener
Gini Obert
WSU Extension Yakima County Master Gardener
Jackie Trimble
WSU Extension Snohomish County Master Gardener
Alice Slusher
WSU Extension Cowlitz County Master Gardener
Elaine Jamerson
WSU Extension Kittitas County Master Gardener
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.
Ed LaCrosse Distinguished Service Award
Mike Peronto
WSU Extension Pierce County Master Gardener Program
Few individuals have had as profound an impact on our work and success as Mike Peronto.
As project manager, Mike has led the overhaul of the state WSU Extension Master Gardener (EMG) Program website, the Unified Foundation Website (UFW) Project and operations, and the county EMG website templates. He also initiated the Climate Action Group, spearheading EMG climate change activism and public outreach. We all benefit immensely from Mike’s talents, skills, and dedication.
Mike’s unwavering commitment to the program and its people will leave a lasting legacy on the Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State (MGFWS), local foundation chapters, and the EMG Program for decades to come. The services he has provided through web redesign and climate change initiatives amount to hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars, all offered at no cost to our program or foundation.
Mike generously shares his expertise, ensuring that both Program and Foundation information and tools are utilized effectively and engagingly. In the eight years since Mike became a master gardener, his contributions have been immeasurable, with a significant impact both now and in the future.
2024 Ed LaCrosse Distinguished Service Award nominees
Craig Lawrence
WSU Extension Chelan/Douglas County Master Gardener
Penny Kriese
WSU Extension King County Master Gardener
Eileen Hewitt
WSU Extension Benton/Franklin County Master Gardener
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
WSU Extension Master Gardener Media Award
Erin Hoover
WSU Extension Grays Harbor/Pacific County Master Gardener
Erin is a master of various media forms, most notably for “Seeds for Thought” and, more recently, the “Evergreen Thumb Podcast.” Erin has created two highly effective media tools that engage the public in the exceptional work of WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers. The contribution of Erin’s time and talent is immeasurable, setting a benchmark for other local media efforts. No other Washington EMG media initiative is more effective in reaching a diverse audience interested in horticultural education.
There are few, if any, more deserving candidates for the 2024 Media Award.
2024 Extension Master Gardener Media Award nominees
Kathryn Hansen
WSU Extension Stevens County Master Gardener
Marty Byrne
WSU Extension King County Master Gardener
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.
