Huge congratulations to Master Gardeners for winning awards at the National Masters Conference 2011.

Over 150 keen Master Gardeners, Master Composters and other volunteer champions gathered at Garden Organic’s Ryton Garden on Sunday 15 May 2011 to celebrate achievements in helping communities.

The judges had a tough time choosing the winners. They ploughed through a huge number of nominations sent in by fellow volunteers, the co-ordination team, and our partners. Winners were greeted by national author Pauline Pears.

So, we’re hugely proud of the following winners – as we are hugely proud of every volunteer. Whether in Warwickshire, Islington, South London, Norfolk, or Lincolnshire – and however they support communities and households to grow their own food. It’s all marvellous.

Please click here to read more about the Master Gardener role and here for case studies.

The Individual Master Gardener Achievement Award

This award was given to an individual Master Gardener who has gone beyond expectation in his/her promotional activities, either due to the amount of time or effort that they have devoted to their volunteering or the exceptional results that they have achieved.

The Group Master Gardener Achievement Award

This award was given to a group of Master Gardeners that have shown how the whole can be more than the sum of its parts by forming an effective and cohesive group, which has helped to either improve the efficiency of a scheme or had a particularly significant impact locally.

The Master Gardener Innovation Award

This award recognises innovation by either an individual or a group within the Master Gardener programme. Innovative ideas come in many forms, but the judges will look particularly favourably upon those ideas that have the potential to be replicated across other schemes.

The ‘Masters’ Award

This award recognises exceptional achievement by a volunteer – possibly supporting both the Master Composter and Master Gardener programmes or simply acting as an inspiration to others through their efforts in either scheme. Someone who has already been nominated for the Achievement Award can also be put forward for this award.