Foundation Awards
Over the years, Master Gardeners of King County have received recognition for their dedication to environmental education outreach through community clinics, gardens, events, and service projects. Thousands of volunteer hours have been logged by our volunteers, and each year some have been singled out for their exceptional work, nominated by their peers. Below you will find archived lists of winners and nominees from each year for the following three areas: Outstanding Master Gardener Award, President’s Award and Foundation Award.
2022 Awards
2022 Awardees (link will be posted soon)
2022 Outstanding Master Gardeners
The President’s Award: One of a Kind Dedication – Cleo Raulerson received this award for her help to revive the Master Gardener Speakers Bureau. Cleo reorganized the speakers and topics to increase the number of speaking engagements and provide honoraria from these engagements to the Foundation in the amount of $1300 in this first year. Cleo’s innovative leadership has inspired a new group of speakers to help with this work.
The Foundation Award: The Cool Plants, Hot Topics organizing team received this award for this fundraising program at Bellevue Botanical Garden. Linda Peterson along with Bruce Caredio, Suzi O Byrne, and Bruce Williams, planned, organized, and staged a wildly successful fundraising event that garnered rave reviews and broad community support. This creative group’s efforts helped make this a successful fundraiser for the Foundation.
Nominated Outstanding Master Gardeners: Lori Armitage, Joan Baldwin, Trish Bloor, Bobbi Brayman, Harriet Dempsey, Carol Druse, Gabi Hong, Janile Martin, Sharon Peach Linda Peterson, Daryl Schlesser, Jean Wang, and Bruce Williams
Special Recognition Award: BDG Zoom Workshop Team who were responsible for coordinating thirty very successful online workshops in 2022
2021 Awards
2021 Outstanding Master Gardeners
The President’s Award: 2021 Advanced Training Team: Trish Bloor, Beth Bronger-Jones, Emilie Castle, Sarah Derstadt, Lori Fallon, Philip Fordyce, Carrie Hill, Jean Jones, Wendy Jordan, Phyllis Kaiden, Connie Kelly, Janile Martin, Theresa Meyer-Gabel, Anne Neilson, Jim Olson, Gia Parsons, Shannon Poll, Gordon Polson, Dawn Rubstello, Gary Scheider, Daryl Schlesser, Robin Smith, Susan Sparrowhawk, Brenda Spilker, Susan Travis, Amy Troyani, Patricia Tuor, Molly van der Burch, Mary Warren
The Foundation Award: Spring Plant Sale Team: Cotton Beckfield, Judy Broom, Bonnie Chester, Marcia Dillon, Colleen Donohue, Traci Hanna, Penny Kriese, Betsy Kurcinka, Gia Parsons, Sharon Peach, Nancy Purcell, Gary Scheider
Nominated Outstanding Master Gardeners: Carol Laurier and Shannon Poll, Magnuson Children’s Garden; Roxann Harr, Carol Laurier and Sue Mann, Email Clinic Administrative Leadership; Jean Jones, Exceptional Clinic Leadership; Maggie Windus, Youth Education Lesson Plans; Brenda Spilker, Daryl Schlesser, Lin Provost, Penny Kriese, Technology Team Leadership; BBG Event Leadership Team: Kirby Cartwright, Gia Parsons, Pam Peters, Gordon Polson, Cristina Cartledge, Theresa Meyer-Gabel, Tiffany Ng, Penny Kriese, Trish Bloor
Special Recognition Award: Intern Initiative: Anne Neilson, Bethlyn Miller, Cotton Beckfield, Diana Koch, Elisabeth Marcenac, Harriett Dempsey, Janelle Peterson, Lin Provost, Lori Fallon, Mari Vainio, Rhonda Dafforn, Sandy Condiotty, Sharon Peach, Tiffany Ng, Vicki Sironen
Special Recognition Award: Vaccination Verification Team: Anne Neilson, Brenda Spilker, Carrie Hill, Connie Kelly, Daryl Schlesser, Dawn Rubstello, Dave Hanower, Gary Scheider, Jim Olson, Lin Provost, Nancy Purcell, Patricia Tuor, Penny Kriese, Sarah Derstadt, Theresa Meyer-Gabel
2020 Awards
2020 Outstanding Master Gardeners
The President’s Award: Ask a Master Gardener Email and Video Clinics
The Foundation Award: Gary Scheider, Plant Sale and Clinic Leadership Team Chairs, Snoqualmie Valley, Video Clinic
Nominated Outstanding Master Gardeners: Suzanne Abbott, Bonnie Ashleman, Wendy Fawcett, Lois Hanson, Patti Highland, Carrie Hill, Gabi Hong, Alison Johnson, Penny Kriese, Jim Little, Jim Olson, Linda Peterson, Elizabeth Smoots and Ankie Stroes
Special Recognition Award: Mimi Southwood, Program Assistant, for the King County WSU Master Gardener website redesign
2019 Awards
2019 Outstanding Master Gardeners
The Presidents Award: Interim Program Coordinators: Carrie Hill and Penny Kriese
The Foundation Award: 2019 Plant Sales Leaders from the CUH Spring Sale, Bellevue Demo Garden Spring Sale, Bellevue Botanical Garden Fall Sale, Cesar Chavez Demo Garden and Soos Creek Demo Garden
Nominated Outstanding Master Gardeners: Maria Corrales-Askov, Mary Fry, Roxann Harr, Sandra Solack, Susan Dodd, Jane Stockert, Members of the Mercer Island Clinic (Karin Miller, Gordon Polson, Lucy Sullivan, Molly Van Der Burch and Beverly Vanhartesvelt), Amy Lee and Doreen Gillespie
Special Recognition Awards: 2019 Intern Training Mentors
2018 Awards
2018 Outstanding Master Gardeners
The Presidents Award: The Growing Groceries Team: Linda Shepherd, Leader, Carrie Hill, Sue Kraemer, Penny Kriese, Sharon O’Grady, Gia Parsons, Darien Payne, Gary Scheider and Elaine Anderson
The Foundation Award: The Garden Gala Team: Bonny Nordgren, Gale Baullinger, Emilie Castle, Vickie Clayton, Marcia Dillon, Traci Hanna, Ellon Jarvis, Suzi O’Byrne, Donna Thomas, Marg Walker
Nominated Outstanding Master Gardeners: Jeff Daley & Daryl Schlesser, Burien, Peggy Farrell, Bellevue Demo Garden, Alison Johnson, Redmond Farmers Market, Eric Sladky, Magnuson Children’s Garden, Heads UP! Editorial Team, Diagnostics Lab
Special Recognition Awards:
BDG Recognition Awards: Lory Armitage, Bruce Caredio, Vickie Clayton and Colleen Donahue
2018 Work ‘n Learn Leaders & Teams: BDG Team: Bruce Caredio, Leader, CCDG Team: Sue Williams, Leader, Neely Mansion DG Team: Carol Grimes, Leader, Soos Creek DG: Nancy Purcell, Leader, Thyme Patch Park DG: Penny Kriese, Leader, Tribal Life Wilderness Trail DG: Ankie Stroes, Leader, Bothell Children’s Garden: Sharon Grady, Leader; Alison Johnson, Co-Lead, Shorewood High School Culinary Arts Garden: Bonnie Chester, Leader
2017 Awards
2017 Outstanding Master Gardeners
The Presidents Award: South Sound Education Group of Tom Church, Maggie Greenslit, Marilyn Holm, Lisa Marahrens, John Skidmore, and Lynne Skidmore for the 2016 and 2017 Renton CE Events
The Foundation Award: Carrie Hill, West Seattle Farmers Market Clinic Leader, and Foundation President-Elect for the Clinic Resource Kit project, KCMG Sharing Success presentation at Yakima and leadership as a Foundation Director
Nominated Outstanding Master Gardeners: Suzanne Abbott – Burien Clinic Clinic Information Coordinator, Anne Ellett – Renton Fairwood Library and Renton Farmers Market Clinic Lead, past President of the Foundation, Wendy Fawcett – Bellevue Demo Garden and CUH Plant Sales Perennials Department Head, Dori Wright – Ballard Fred Meyer Clinic, MG since 1992, Mick Duggan, Carrie Hill and Fred Wemer – Presidential Volunteer Service Awards, Eileen Baker, Audrey Davis and Kathy Lange – 40 Year Pins
2016 Awards
2016 Outstanding Master Gardeners
The Foundation Award: Horst Momber for his 7-year leadership of the annual Master Gardener Plant Sale, Tom Church – South Sound Education Committee, Federal Way & Auburn Farmers Market Clinics, Marcia Dillon and Traci Hanna – Bellevue Demo Garden plant sales organizers, Linda Heaney – CUH Clinic continuing education coordinator, Carrie Hill – West Seattle Farmers Market and McClendon’s Clinics, James Little – University District Farmers Market Clinic, Debi Quirk – Magnuson Children’s Garden and Nature Programs, Jean Wang – Bellevue Demo Garden
2015 Awards
2015 Outstanding Master Gardeners
Outstanding Master Gardeners: Suzanne Broback – Plant Sale Veggie and Herb Section Committee, Drexie Malone – Carkeek Park Demonstration Garden, Frank Peters – Ballard Fred Meyer Clinic and Thyme Patch Demonstration Garden, Wally Prestbo – Bellevue Demonstration Garden, Gary Scheider – Snoqualmie Valley Clinic Co-Leader, Cathy Ullakko – Bellevue Demonstration Garden and Clinic
The President’s Award: Joyce Harms, Judy Porterfield and Steve Scott for the Sherlock in the Garden project
The Foundation Award: Gary Scheider for the Clinic Refresh project
2014 Awards
2014 Outstanding Master Gardeners
Outstanding Master Gardeners: Mick Duggan – Cesar Chavez Demonstration Garden, Susan Eby – Ronald McDonald House Outreach Garden and the CUH clinic, Joan Edwards – Cesar Chavez Demonstration Garden, Barbara Hainley – Magnuson Children’s Garden, Ann Haldeman – Creator of first MG Training Manual, Diagnostician , Redmond, Kirkland and Ballard Clinics (40 year pin), Kathy Lapham – Plant Sale Perennials Chair, Horst Momber – Annual Plant Sale Chair for many years, Barbara Orcutt – CUH Clinic Scheduler, Elaine Sherbrooke – Diagnostic Lab Leader, Steve Walker – Developer and Leader of Bellevue Demonstration Garden and Clinic, Ralene Walls – Ronald McDonald House Outreach Garden creator, Fred Wemer – Garden Operations Lead at Bellevue Demonstration Garden, Portia Wilcock – Plant Sale Potting Party Coordinator, Perennials Department Co-Chair
2013 Awards
2013 Outstanding Master Gardeners
Outstanding Master Gardeners: Marcia Dillon – Bellevue Demonstration Garden, Maggie Greenslit – Auburn Farmers Market Clinic, Carol Grimes – Neely Mansion Advisor, Joyce Harms – Federal Way Farmers Market Clinic, Linda Heaney – CUH Clinic, Jim Little – Ronald McDonald House Outreach Garden, Jan Mote – Master Gardener Email Clinic, Joy Naganuma – Magnuson Children’s Garden, Carolina Wagemans – Master Gardener Email Clinic
2012 Awards
2012 Outstanding Master Gardeners
Outstanding Master Gardeners: Adriene Harris, Penny Kriese, Julie MacGillis, C.J. Nielsen, Gordon Polson, Barb Ragee
2011 Awards
2011 Outstanding Master Gardeners
Outstanding Master Gardeners: Jeff Bidwell, Rhonda Bjornstad, Dave Kingery, Nancy Lewis-Williams, Susan Miller, Virginia Rayner, Jerry Twitty, Marg Walker, King County Master Gardener Diagnosticians for 35 years of service
2010 Awards
2010 Outstanding Master Gardeners
2010 MG of the Year: Ed LaCrosse was named Washington State Master Gardener of the Year in 2010. Ed was lead for the Neely-Soames Homestead Heritage Demonstration Garden in Kent and a Master Gardener since 1992, known for his knowledge of native plants and willingness to educate and bring together community volunteers. Here is a brief article about Ed LaCrosse.