How to Invest in Our Youth

Highlight your NGC Youth Clubs by participation in Youth Awards.

National Garden Clubs provides many educational opportunities through awards for the youth at the pre-school, elementary, middle, and high school levels.

Youth Awards not only involves youth, families and community but also provides interactions with families. Whether it is flowers or vegetables, caring for plants help young people develop responsibility, a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence.

 We encourage all clubs to invest in our Youth and apply for the Youth Awards. 

Remember to send questions concerning Youth Awards to Tricia Mitchell, Youth Awards Chairman at @email

Remember that Youth Awards and Youth Contests are different.

Please send all Contest applications to the specific Chairman listed below.

1)Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl Contest - For more information, contact: Terry Critchlow, Poster Contest Chairman

2)Poetry Contest - For more information, contact: James Pavelka at @email, Poetry Contest Chairman.

3)High School Distinguished Service Project – For more information contact Lynne Ehnert at  @email

4)Youth Sculpture Contest – For more information contact Linda Jean Brown,  Youth Sculpture Contest Chairman

5)Youth Pollinator Garden Grants – For more information Contact Vickie Stedman, Youth Pollinator Garden Grants Chairman

Thank you to all garden clubs that are working with youth in your community and Congratulations to all of the NGC Youth Award Winners listed below.

Youth Awards, Chairman

Tricia Mitchell

Current Awards are listed below, and individual contest rules can be found on the National Garden Club site at http://gardenclub.org/

Youth Awards

Youth Awards is a great way to involve our Youth with top award winners being awarded a monetary amount. Listed below are the Youth Awards. Directions for applying can be found on the NGC website at gardenclub.org.

YW-1 YOUTH GARDEN CLUB OUTSTANDING SPONSOR Best in Group: Certificate of Merit + $100 sponsored by James Pavelka

Given to the NGC member club sponsor of a youth club which has been most successful in promoting all phases of garden club work with youth. Applications must indicate grade of club, sponsor club name, list of programs presented to the youth, meeting dates, and number of youth involved. This award is not to be duplicated with any other Youth Work award.

The 2023 YW-1 Winner is Norcross Garden Club in Georgia

YW-2 HORTICULTURE ACTIVITY FOR YOUTH GARDEN CLUB   

Best in Group: Certificate of Merit + $100

Given to the NGC or IA member club sponsor of a youth club for the most outstanding horticulture activity. Applications must indicate grade of club, sponsor club name, list of programs presented to the youth, meeting dates, and number of youth involved. This award is not to be duplicated with any other Youth Work award.

The 2023 YW-2 winner is Two Creeks Garden Club in Kentucky

YW-3 OUTDOOR PLANTING WITH YOUTH GARDEN CLUB

Best in Group: Certificate of Merit + $100 sponsored by Wisconsin Garden Club Federation

Given to the NGC or IA member club sponsor of a youth club for the most significant effort in planting and growing horticulture in an outdoor area. Participants may seek advice from any source but must do the actual gardening themselves.

The 2023 YW-3 Winner is Whispering Pines Garden Club in Florida

The International Affiliates Gold Certificate recipient for YW-3 is San Diego Garden Club (Argentina)

YW-4 ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITY WITH YOUTH GARDEN CLUB

Best in Group: Certificate of Merit + $100 sponsored by the Garden Club of Ohio, Inc.

Given to the NGC member club sponsor of a youth club for the most outstanding project in the field of environmental concern, e.g., horticulture, landscaping, anti-litter, restoration, conservation, other.

The 2023 YW-4 Winner is Watkinsville Garden Club in Georgia

YW-5 JUNIOR GARDEN CLUB WILDLIFE GARDENING EDUCATION PROJECT

Best in Group: Certificate of Merit + $100

Given to the Youth Garden Club with the most notable project or projects educating the public on the benefits of gardening for wildlife.   No Application

YW-6 HIGH SCHOOL GARDEN CLUB OUTSTANDING SPONSOR

Best in Group: Certificate of Merit + $100

Given to the NGC member club sponsor of a High School Gardeners Club that has carried out the best all-around gardening project. Applications must indicate grade/s of club, sponsor club name, list of programs presented to the youth, meeting dates, and number of youth involved.

No Application

YW-7 HIGH SCHOOL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE PROJECT

Best in Group: Certificate of Merit + $100 (1st Place), $50 (2nd Place)

Given to a High School Student, grades 9-12 for an outstanding civic project making a significant improvement for public benefit, e.g., environment, conservation, landscape, horticulture, recycling, horticulture therapy, others. The project must be sponsored by an NGC member club, group of clubs, district, or State Garden Club.

The  YW-7  Winner is Shirin Ghorbani sponsored by Capital Hill Garden Club in Washington, DC

YW-8 HORTICULTURE EDUCATON FOR YOUTH

Best in Group: Certificate of Merit + $100

Given to an NGC member club for the best promotion of gardening for youth, based on the belief that youth should be educated to become future horticulturists.

The 2023 YW-8 Winner is Franklin County Garden Club in Tennessee

YW-9 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROJECT WITH YOUTH

Best in Group: Certificate of Merit + $100 sponsored by the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc.

Given to the NGC member club for the most outstanding project in the field of environmental education involving youth.

The 2023 YW-9 Winner is Franklin County Garden Club in Tennessee

The International Associates 2023 Winner is San Diego Garden Club in Argentina and Floralies Chimbote Club de Jardines in Peru

YW-10 INDIVIDUAL OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO YOUTH

Outstanding Individual: Certificate of Merit + $100 sponsored by the Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc.

Given to the Individual NGC member who has given outstanding service to youth as a leader of a Youth Garden Club in any grade category through High School.

The 2023 YW0 10 Winner is Shawna McGrath from Watkinsville Garden Club in Georgia

100 Total 

YW-6 HIGH SCHOOL GARDEN CLUB OUTSTANDING SPONSOR

Best in Group: Certificate of Merit + $100

Given to the NGC member club sponsor of a High School Gardeners Club that has carried out the best all-around gardening project. Applications must indicate grade/s of club, sponsor club name, list of programs presented to the youth, meeting dates, and number of youth involved.

YW-7 HIGH SCHOOL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE PROJECT

Best in Group: Certificate of Merit + $100 (1st Place), $50 (2nd Place)

Given to a High School Student, grades 9-12 for an outstanding civic project making a significant improvement for public benefit, e.g., environment, conservation, landscape, horticulture, recycling, horticulture therapy, others. The project must be sponsored by an NGC member club, group of clubs, district, or State Garden Club.

YW-8 HORTICULTURE EDUCATON FOR YOUTH

Best in Group: Certificate of Merit + $100

Given to an NGC member club for the best promotion of gardening for youth, based on the belief that youth should be educated to become future horticulturists.