AMGA AWARDS AND CRITERIA
AMGA has developed several awards to recognize exceptional volunteer service in support of the Master Gardener goals. These include awards for non-master gardeners and master gardeners.
Award Categories are:
Mary Lou McNabb Alabama Master Gardener of the Year Award
The Mary Lou McNabb Alabama Master Gardener of the Year Award
Each local association may nominate an Extension Master Gardener for this award. An Extension Agent may nominate an Extension Master Gardener if an Extension Master Gardener association is not located in a nominee’s area.
A detailed resume must be prepared addressing all the minimum qualifications for consideration. This narrative should be typed in 12-point type and should not exceed two pages. No photographs or scrapbooks will be accepted. Accomplishments should be gardening-related and should not include personal history or family. The year-by-year volunteer hours should be listed on a separate sheet of paper.
The following are considered minimum requirements for this award:
–An average of 100 hours per year are required in volunteer service hours. Documentation, preferably in the Alabama Master Gardener Volunteer Service Reporting System, is required (failure to report hours will result in an automatic disqualification).
-Current regular membership in the Alabama Master Gardener Association and a local Master Gardener group (if available).
Areas to be considered:
-Leadership in a local project (multiple projects will enhance a nominee’s resume).
-Attendance at local and state association meetings.
-Service as an officer or board member in a local association.
-Service as an officer, board member or committee chair of the state association or service on the AMGA Advisory Council.
-Presentation of programs to the public about Extension Master Gardeners or on one of the areas covered in training.
-Promotion of the image of the Extension Master Gardener Program.
-Involvement in volunteer service activities that are supportive of the mission and purpose of the Alabama Extension Master Gardener Program.
The Mary Lou McNabb winner will be allowed to choose to attend the International Master Gardeners Conference, an out-of-state garden-themed seminar and/or workshop or an out-of-state Master Gardener Conference within a three-year period following selection. The awardee will be reimbursed for expenses up to $1,500. All requests must be made in writing and accompanied by receipts. A Lifetime Membership in the Alabama Master Gardeners Association will be awarded to each Mary Lou McNabb recipient.
This award is given only once to a member in good standing of the Alabama Extension Master Gardeners Association.
If no nominees are qualified to receive this award, it will not be given.
NOMINATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY AND USPS, NO LATER THAN JANUARY 31ST OF THE AWARD YEAR TO:
Jim Harris, 2402 13th Avenue, Valley, AL 36854. Question about this award can be sent to jharris997@aol.com or awardsamga@gmail.com.
October 2025
Gary Murray Award for Outstanding Service and Dedication to the Alabama Master Gardener Program
The Gary Murray Outstanding Service and Dedication Award to the Alabama Master Gardener Program
The Gary Murray Outstanding Service and Dedication Award is presented annually by the Alabama Master Gardener Association. This award honors non-master gardeners who have contributed to the master gardener program in an outstanding way. Each association may select one nominee annually for this award. Although typically given to an Extension Agent or specialist, it may be given to an Individual that meets the criteria.
The criteria for this nomination include:
• Outstanding service, leadership and dedication in providing superior educational programs to Extension Master Gardeners,
• Teaching Master Gardeners classes,
• Speaking at Master Gardener Meetings and/or Conferences,
• Other support and special services to Extension Master Gardeners to support its mission.
A detailed summary must be prepared addressing all specified criteria. The narrative should be typed in 12-point type and should NOT exceed two pages in length. No photographs, newspaper articles, etc., will be accepted.
PLEASE NOTE: If none of the nominees meet the stated standards, the award will not be presented.
NOMINATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY AND USPS, NO LATER THAN JANUARY 31ST OF THE AWARD YEAR TO:
Jim Harris, 2402 13th Avenue, Valley, AL 36854, email: jharris997@aol.com or awardsamga@gmail.com.
October 2025
Jean Lee Lifetime Hours Award
Jean Lee Lifetime Hours Award
The Lifetime Hours Award was introduced in 2002 and was named The Jean Lee Lifetime Hours Award by the AMGA Board of Directors in March 2005.
Each local MG Extension Agent is requested to submit the name of the EMG volunteer, who, based on the Agent’s records, has reported the most volunteer hours since they completed the Master Gardener Class and became a certified Master Gardener.
Beginning in 2005, each recipient of the award will be given a Lifetime Membership in AMGA. Award recipients are ineligible to receive this award in the future.
NOMINATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY AND USPS, NO LATER THAN JANUARY 31ST OF THE AWARD YEAR TO:
Jim Harris, 2402 13th Avenue, Valley, AL 36854, email: jharris997@aol.com or awardsamga@gmail.com.
October 2025
Top Hours of the Year Award
The Top Hours for the Year Award
The Top Hours for the Year Award was introduced in 2002. The Volunteer Hours Coordinator should give the local Extension Agent the name of the individual that has reported the most volunteer hours for the year preceding the AMGA Conference. Each local EMG Extension Agent is then requested to submit the name of the EMG volunteer.
Award recipients are ineligible to receive this award in the future.
NOMINATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY AND USPS, NO LATER THAN JANUARY 31ST OF THE AWARD YEAR TO:
Jim Harris, 2402 13th Avenue, Valley, AL 36854, email: jharris997@aol.com awardsamga@gmail.com.
October 2025
Outstanding Newsletter Award
OUTSTANDING NEWSLETTER AWARD CRITERIA
The Outstanding Newsletter Award was begun in 2011, to honor the local association judged to have the best newsletter in the state. In 2019, the AMGA Board voted to revise this award into three (3) categories, associations with:
- Up to thirty-two (32) AMGA members.
- Thirty-three (33) to fifty-nine (59) AMGA members.
- Sixty (60) and more AMGA members.
The newsletters are evaluated on several criteria including but not limited to:
-News/Public Relations stories
-Lists/Calendar of Events of local association, AMGA events and ACES events
-Photographs of activities
-Monthly columns
-Promote input of service hours into the Volunteer Service Report with supporting link to the system
-Promote the connection between the local association, AMGA and ACES
-Announcements
-Contact information
-Attractiveness
-Imagination
-Color/Art
Two specific issues (months to be named by the Awards Committee in the Winter Issue of Pathways) are to be sent to the Awards Committee Chair. Additional information to be sent includes numbers of members in the association, the association/newsletter name, and the month of the issue.
A check in the amount of $100 will be awarded to the winning association in each category.
The Awards Committee can omit awarding a newsletter, in any category, in any given year, if a significant number of criteria are unmet.
Newsletters that have won previously may be resubmitted after a three-year period has elapsed.
Nominations must be completed and submitted electronically and USPS, no later than January 31st of the award year to: Jim Harris, 2402 13th Avenue, Valley, AL 36854. Questions should be directed to jharris997@aol.com or awardsamga@gmail.com.
October 2025
Reach for the Stars Program
Reach for the Stars Program
Reach for the Stars is a volunteer service recognition program approved by the State Master Gardener Board of Directors in February 1999. Participation in the Reach for the Stars Program is an option for each local association, and all are encouraged to participate.
The purpose of the Program is two-fold:
1. To recognize Master Gardeners who have assisted Extension in educating and improving their communities.
2. To encourage Master Gardeners to keep records and report volunteer hours as requested by ACES. Recorded hours are utilized in justifying the resources expended by ACES to educate and train Master Gardeners.
The only hours that will count toward the Reach for the Stars program are those earned while the MG is a member in good standing of AMGA.
Master Gardeners will follow the Volunteer Hours Policies/Guidelines established by the Steering Committee in recording volunteer hours. This program is effective retroactive to the inception of the Master Gardener Program in 1981. Hours earned should comply with the Volunteer Hours Policies. The annual reporting period will be January 1-December 31. Star and badge requirements will be submitted to the AMGA Awards Chair by January 31.
Requirements for earning stars and badges are as follows:
- Bronze Star 100 – 299 hours
- Silver Star 300 – 499 hours
- Gold Star 500 – 999 hours
- Gold Name Badges 1,000 – 1,999 hours
- Platinum Badges 2,000 – 3,999 hours
- Silver Star Pin with ruby colored gemstone 4,000 – 5,999 hours
- Silver Star Pin with emerald colored gemstone 6,000 – 7,999 hours
- Silver Star Pin with diamond colored gemstone 8,000 – 9,999 hours
- Silver Star Pin with amethyst colored gemstone 10,000-11,999 hours
- Silver Star Pin with navy blue colored gemstone 12,000-14,999 hours
- Silver Star Pin with garnet colored gemstone 15,000-16,999 hours
- Silver Star Pin with rainbow colored gemstone 17,000-19,999 hours
- Silver Star Pin with champagne colored gemstone 20,000 plus
Click on the category “AMGA Forms” to find Reach for the Stars and Advanced Badge and Star order forms.
REACH FOR THE STARS FORMS AND A CHECK are submitted to Billy McDaniel, 311 County Rd 219, Piedmont, AL 36272, for questions: bjmoga123@gmail.com.
October 2025
Click here to download the Reach for the Stars Order Form.
Click here to download a pdf of this information.
Advanced Badges and Stars
Below are Order Forms 1 and 2 to complete for your members who are receiving Advanced Badges and Stars Jewelry Pins.
- This fillable form allows you to complete the form on your computer, save it on your computer, and print it when you are finished. No hand-written forms will be accepted.
- If you have more names than space allows on Order Form 1, please also use Order Form 2.
- Your Extension Agent must sign the forms. Forms may be emailed to your local Extension Agent to place an electronic signature on the form or to print and sign with a pen.
- It is important that you double-check the spelling of the names and the certification years because this information will be printed on the badges.
- Under the Advanced Badge or Star Jewelry Pin being received, type in the number of hours the EMG has reported.
- You must fill in the year the Extension Master Gardener was certified.
The completed forms must be received by January 31. Please do not submit before January 1.
After the form is signed by the Extension Agent, you may scan it into your computer and email it to jharris997@aol.com or awardsamga@gmail.com, or you may mail it to: Jim Harris, 2402 13th Avenue, Valley, AL 36854.
Badges and Star Jewelry Pins are ordered and paid for by the AMGA. An EMG Volunteer from each association should pick them up from the AMGA Awards Chair at the AMGA Spring Conference and Business Meeting.
October 2025
Click here to download the Advanced Badges and Star Order Form.
These Awards are presented at the Annual Business Meeting and Conference, except the Reach for the Stars Program.
Mail nominations for Marylou McNabb Award, Gary Murray Award, Jean Lee Lifetime Hours Award, Outstanding Newsletter Awards and Top Hours of the Year Award to: Jim Harris, 2402 13th Avenue, Valley, AL 36854, email: jharris997@aol.com or awardsamga@gmail.com.
Reach for the Stars will follow the instructions on the submission documents. The bronze, silver, and gold stars, earned under the Reach for the Stars Program, are mailed to a representative from a local association for presentation to the recipients. The gold and platinum badges, plus the jewelry star pins, are distributed to local associations at the Annual Business Meeting and Conference.
You may mail or email forms for the Reach for the Stars Program to: Billy McDaniel, 311 County Rd 219, Piedmont, AL 36272, email: bjmoga123@gmail.com.
Mail/email forms for the Advanced Badges and Jewelry Star Pins to Jim Harris, 2402 13th Avenue, Valley, AL 36854, email: jharris997@aol.com or awardsamga@gmail.com.
For responsibilities of the AMGA Awards Committee, see the Alabama Master Gardeners Association Board Manual.
For more detailed information, click on the name of the specific Award Category above.