Tennessee Search for Excellence Awards
The Tennessee Search For Excellence (SFE) program is sponsored by the
Tennessee Master Gardener Advocacy Board.
Its purpose is to recognize
outstanding Master Gardener projects throughout the State of Tennessee.
All work done by volunteer Master Gardeners is significant to
communities across the state, but not all work qualifies for the honor
bestowed by a SFE Award.
All projects receiving SFE Awards must
demonstrate overall excellence, high levels of learning and community
outreach that embody the following values of the Master Gardener
Program:
- Providing home horticulture education in a responsive and timely manner
- Collaborating with local nonprofit and municipal groups to offer educational leadership for better gardening practices in area communities
- Fostering a learning environment for volunteers
- Encouraging continued education and the recruitment and training of new Master Gardener Volunteers
- Offering information and education to Tennessee citizens through innovative programs with creative and new approaches
SFE Awards recognize outstanding group projects as opposed to recognizing an individual Master Gardener doing outstanding work.
There are seven broad categories of SFE Awards:
- Youth
- Demonstration Garden
- Workshop or Presentation
- Community Service
- Innovative Project
- Research
- Special Needs Audience
2017 Search for Excellent Outreach- 
Youth Programs Hamilton County- Alpine Crest Elementary School Outdoor Classroom and Gardens
Demonstration Gardens- Shelby County - Collierville Victory Garden
Workshop or Presentation- Shelby County - MAMG Speakers Bureau
Innovative Project- Tipton County - Drummonds Park Arboretum
Written Education- Shelby County - Gardening in Shelby County: Gardening Calendar and Planting Guide
Individual-
Outstanding Contributing Partner
Carol Reese- UT Extension Western Region Ornamental Horticutlure Specialist
Outstanding Individual TEMGs-
Barbara O'Neil- Knox County;
Joan Clayton- Davis- Davidson County
Ginny Fletcher- Shelby County
- Knox County- Workshop or Presentation
- Sevier County- Innovative
- Knox County- Community Service
- Knox County- Demonstration Garden
- Cumberland County- research
- Cumberland County- Youth
2015 Outstanding Extension Master Gardeners -
Barbra Bunting and Marsh Lehman
2015 Outstanding Contributing Partner -
Walt Hitch
2013