Each year, the UC Master Gardener Program celebrates the extraordinary service of its volunteers. Every third year, that celebration shines a special spotlight on innovation, creativity and measurable impact through its Search for Excellence awards.
“UC Master Gardeners show up for their communities in so many generous and inspiring ways,” said Missy Gable, statewide director of the UC Master Gardener Program. “The Search for Excellence awards give us a chance to celebrate the volunteers behind these efforts and the heart they bring to their work every day.”
In 2026, 14 counties from across California submitted projects for consideration in the triennial statewide competition. Each submission reflected the deep commitment of UC Master Gardener volunteers to expanding access to research-based gardening education and strengthening their local communities.
Projects were reviewed and scored by a statewide panel of judges using a standardized evaluation rubric to ensure a fair and thoughtful process. After careful evaluation, three projects were selected for top honors.
First Place $1,500: Orange County
Growing Food in Small Spaces
In Orange County, UC Master Gardeners are helping residents discover that fresh food can grow almost anywhere.
The Hydroponics Team expands access to food gardening by teaching community members how to grow produce without soil using the Kratky method, a low-cost, beginner-friendly hydroponic technique. Designed especially for apartment dwellers, renters, students and others with limited space, the project demonstrates how upcycled containers and minimal equipment can yield abundant harvests.
Through hands-on workshops, live demonstrations and starter kits, UC Master Gardener equip participants with the confidence and skills to grow leafy greens and vegetables at home. The project not only promotes sustainable practices but also increases food access and food security in urban communities.
By meeting people where they are, often in small indoor or patio spaces, volunteers are proving that gardening knowledge can flourish anywhere.
Second Place $1,000: Butte County
Bringing Science to Life in School Gardens
In Butte County, school gardens have become dynamic outdoor classrooms.
The Living Lab is a standards-aligned garden education initiative led by UC Master Gardeners of Butte County in partnership with CalFresh Healthy Living, UC and local education partners. Designed for elementary students and teachers, the program connects hands-on garden learning with California’s Next Generation Science Standards.
Using a train-the-trainer model, volunteers have equipped more than 120 educators to confidently teach plant science, soil systems and ecosystems through ready-to-use curriculum and outdoor instruction. By supporting teachers with tools and resources, the program ensures that garden-based learning continues well beyond a single lesson.
The Living Lab strengthens science literacy, supports educators and nurtures curiosity, helping students see the connections between the natural world and the science concepts they study in the classroom.
Third Place $500: Sonoma County
Opening the Garden Gate to Every Child
In Sonoma County, a garden becomes a gateway to discovery.
The Youth Education Field Trip Project offers no-cost, half-day outdoor learning experiences for transitional kindergarten through fifth-grade students at the Valley of the Moon Children’s Garden at Los Guilicos Demonstration and Teaching Garden.
Students rotate through engaging, hands-on stations exploring pollination, vegetable gardening, vermiculture, sensory plants and Indigenous Wappo stewardship practices. The program prioritizes underserved schools, supports students with diverse needs and provides transportation funding to reduce barriers to outdoor education.
With strong volunteer leadership and a fully documented, replicable curriculum, the project creates meaningful learning experiences while offering a model other communities can adapt. For many students, it’s their first opportunity to dig into the soil, observe pollinators up close or harvest something they helped grow.
Growing Impact Across California
In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more in-depth stories that highlight the heart, creativity, and impact behind each winning project.
Together, these efforts reflect the incredible ways UC Master Gardener volunteers bring research-based gardening education to life in their communities, from expanding access to fresh food and sustainable practices to inspiring curiosity and environmental stewardship in young learners.
Congratulations again to this year’s winners, and thank you to every county that participated. Your dedication, generosity, and service continue to make a meaningful difference in communities throughout California.
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