At our JCMGA Annual Picnic, as well as the OMGA Joy of Gardening conference, some of our outstanding members were awarded and celebrated for their dedication to our organization. Many thanks to the Nominations Committee for the time and energy they spent nominating candidates and selecting finalists. The nomination committee included the following people: Colet Allen, Anne Ackles, Linda Holder, Kathy Apple, Grace Florjancic, and Linda Jo Millus.
Several of this year’s recipients were actually on the Nomination Committee, so it was a little tricky keeping their nominations a secret – but I think we did it. Congratulations to the recipients of these well-earned awards and recognitions:
Oregon Master Gardeners Association Longevity Recognition – 20 Years of Exceptional Service
- Viki Ashford
- Judith Burgess
- Rebecca Hawkins
- Sharon Maurin
- Jane Moyer
- Bob Reynolds
Lifetime Membership Awards
- Sandy Hammond
- Sherry Morgan
2025 State Master Gardener of the Year Award winner – Barbara Low (one of four awarded this year)
Barbara has shown exemplary leadership and educational dedication since 2020. At just about everything happening, from meetings to
events, she is always present.
Barbara has been President Elect and President of JCMGA for the past three years. She has been Chair or Co-Chair of Member Services, Marketing and Technology, Fundraising, Winter Dreams/Summer Gardens, and Spring Garden Fair Working Groups.
She is the Co-Director for the Practicum education program, and a Practicum Mentor once a week from January through May. Barbara also volunteers weekly at the Plant Clinic.
She is the Editor, and writes articles for The Garden Beet, the JCMGA newsletter. She is a presenter for the JCMGA Speakers Bureau. Barbara sets up and staffs the JCMGA booth at several local events each year, where she promotes the Master Gardener Program.
Barbara was instrumental in supporting the Josephine County Master Gardener Association during their dissolution. She was a Speaker at the Joy of Gardening, where she presented on Companion Planting.
Barbara excels at leadership, and is noted for her kindness, integrity, humility and grace.
State Behind the Scenes Award winner – Colet Allen
Colet works tirelessly for the JCMGA and OMGA. She is full of new and creative ideas that she has seeded at both the County and State level.
Colet serves on the JCMGA Board as the OMGA Representative. She has been a member-at-large on the Board. She has been continuously active and involved since her graduation in 2012.
She is on several working groups, including the Spring Garden Fair, Winter Dreams/Summer Gardens, Membership Committee and Community Outreach – where she organizes and implements our Speaker’s Bureau across the Rogue Valley.
Colet actively participates in events such as the Master Gardeners Graduation, Joy of Gardening, annual picnic, Spring Garden Fair, and other special events. She also volunteers as a Garden Bud (student mentor) during Master Gardener classes.
Colet was instrumental in starting the Friends of the Gardens for JCMGA, and helped implement garden tours for our local garden clubs and non-profit associations.
Colet is also active with Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), where she supports the Master Gardener education classes. Always mindful of people in the community who are sometimes forgotten, Colet ensures that our projects include underserved groups, such as seniors and people with disabilities.
Jackson County Growing and Belonging Award Winner – Lindsey McNab
Lindsey is a current student in the class of 2025. Even though she has just finished the in- class portion of the program, she has already
become a stellar volunteer.
Lindsey is very active in the Marketing and Technology Working Group. She has taken on many of the media tasks and does an excellent job.
Lindsey worked with Grace delivering the Seed-to-Supper programming to Rogue Re-Treat’s shelter residents. She has also signed up to table at Rogue Food Unites’ free mobile pantries. Here she will join others to conduct microgreens activities and share bilingual gardening resources for our community members who most need it.
Although new to JCMGA, Lindsey has already had a large impact on our community.
2025 State Behind the Scenes Nominee – Marcie Katz
Marcie has been nicknamed the “Energizer Bunny” for her excitement and never-ending work performance for the Jackson County Master
Gardener program.
Marcie has been President Elect, President and Past President. She is Co-Chair for the demonstration Gardens, Spring Garden Fair and Garden Enhancement (caring for the garden paths and signage) Committees, and has worked on the Advisory and other committees. She has been a Practicum mentor since she graduated in 2019.
Marcie can be counted on wherever there is a need, and always has a smile. This last year, she selflessly stepped up to fill the void left by two leaders in our association who had family emergencies. She took on an additional practicum, plus purchased supplies for the practicum as needed.
When membership was down after Covid, and gardens became neglected, Marcie worked diligently and successfully to draw Master Gardeners back to JCMGA and the SOREC gardens.
Marcie consistently supports the educational mission of the JCMGA by teaching Master Gardener classes on sustainable gardening, coordinating conference and seminar series, and volunteering at the Plant Clinic. For variety, from spring to fall Marcie can be seen weed whacking all around campus.
Marcie is an amazing resource of information and help. Though not always in the limelight, her many accomplishments have a very positive impact.
2025 Jackson County Behind the Scenes nominee – Pam Hillers
Pam has been an active member in JCMGA since her graduation in 2015.
She was a Board member and Membership Secretary from 2016-2018. She also ran the raffle booth at Spring Garden Fair, and served as a Garden Bud for the Master Gardener class.
Pam Hillers has been a dedicated archivist from 2019-2024. She has led efforts to reorganize our vast archives. While not in the forground, these activities hold the history of the JCMGA and are a valuable resource for understanding how decisions were made and guidelines were designed to implement many association activities. Pam researched various rulings and by-laws to support board decisions, and made sure to archive all pertinent materials.
Pam is an excellent keeper to our JCMGA archives.
2025 Jackson County Behind the Scenes Award winner – Nicole Smith
Nicole is a dedicated volunteer who always has a smile on her face.
She worked diligently at her role as the Co-Chair of the Practicum classes for 2025 and will continue that work for the 2026 year. She trains the Mentors, helps select the seeds to be planted by the classes, and reviews/ updates Practicum lesson plans. As a Practicum Mentor, she teaches the Master Gardener classes as well.
All this while having an infant in arms!
Working with the Marketing and Technology Working Group, Nicole ensures the JCMGA website is functioning well and the content is up-to-date. She also creates multi-media posts for the JCMGA Facebook group.
We cannot always observe Nicole at work because it is behind the scenes. But we do see the impact she has on the Practicum and our online communications to JCMGA and the community at large.
Congratulations to all of our illustrious nominees and winners for 2025!
Barbara Low
Colet Allen
Lindsey McNab
Oregon State University Extension
