The Search for Excellence (SFE) program recognizes outstanding Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteer group projects that result in significant learning by the public or EMG volunteers in these seven categories:

• Youth Programs
• Demonstration Garden
• Workshop or Presentation
• Community Service
• Innovative Projects
• Special Need Audiences (Senior, Disabled, Therapeutic, etc.)
• Research (applied scientific methodology)

EMG volunteers in North Carolina are encouraged to be recognized for their significant community contributions by applying to the International Master Gardener Search for Excellence (a.k.a. David Gibby Search for Excellence). This program, which recognizes EMG volunteer work throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and South Korea, is offered every other year (in odd years) in conjunction with the International Master Gardener Conference.Prior to 2021, a Search For Excellence recognition program was held at the state level for EMG volunteers within North Carolina. The program has since been redeveloped into the Learn-Grow-Share Showcase, a webinar series that well serves all North Carolina EMG volunteers as a form of recognition.

Past Recipients

2025 International Master Gardener (IMG) Search for Excellence  Congratulations to EMG volunteers in Durham county for their awards in the IMG Search for Excellence! Learn more about their project:

• A Native Pollinator Demonstration Garden at Stanford L. Warren Library, Demonstration Garden category

2023 International Master Gardener (IMG) Search for Excellence  Congratulations to EMG volunteers in Durham county for their awards in the IMG Search for Excellence! Learn more about their projects:

• Creating Connections: Education through Social Media, Innovative Project category
• Cocoa Cinnamon Container Garden, Demonstration Garden category

2022 The SFE program was not held in 2022 due to limitations COVID imposed on EMG activities in 2020-2021 and based on feedback from past participants that the program needs to be restructured to be more inclusive of a wider range of EMG volunteer efforts across the state.  
2021 International Master Gardener Search for Excellence  Congratulations to EMG volunteers in Orange and Durham counties for their 1st place awards in the IMG Search for Excellence! Learn more about their projects:

• Tomato Grafting Project – Durham County, 1st place, Research category
• Stormwater Garden – Orange County, 1st place, Demonstration Garden category

2020 NC EMG Search for Excellence Article  |  Celebration webinar 2019 NC EMG Search for Excellence
Article  |  Celebration webinar 2019 summary of projects International Master Gardener Search for Excellence Congratulations to EMG volunteers in Guilford and Dare counties for their 1st place awards in the IMG Search for Excellence for the following projects:

• Crevice Garden – Guilford County, 1st place, Demonstration Garden category
• Speakers Bureau  – Dare County, 1st place, Presentation or Workshop category

2018 NC EMG Search for Excellence
2018 summary of projects  |  Celebration webinar

Additional Information:
Search for Excellence YouTube playlist
Articles about SFE projects
Recipients by year/county (Google Sheet)