Congratulations to the awardees of the 2022 Staff Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) awards. UC ANR recognized the exemplary performance of 22 individual UC ANR staff members and eight teams, presenting them with 2022 STAR awards. The UC Master Gardener Program had three employees honored at the online recognition event on June 16.

The STAR Award Program provides an opportunity for managers to nominate and reward outstanding staff and/or team performance within UC Agriculture and Natural Resources in the following categories:

• Exceptional performance
• Creativity
• Organizational abilities
• Work success
• Teamwork

The honorees receive cash rewards as well as praise from their peers, the below UC Master Gardener employees were honored:

• Leslie Hart, UCCE Sonoma County
  Nominated by Mimi Enright, Program Manager, UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County & Community Food Systems

Awarded for their continued exceptional performance and leadership of the Garden Sense project by reaching new milestones for the project and contributing to the saving of millions of gallons of water. 

• Lauren Snowden, UC Master Gardener Statewide Office
  Nominated by Missy Gable, Director 

Awarded for their creativity and on-going innovation related to training support and resources for the UC Master Gardener Program and UC ANR in the training realm.

• Melissa Womack, UC Master Gardener Statewide Office
  Nominated by Missy Gable, Director

Awarded for their work success through their elevation of the UC Master Gardener Programs professionalism and marketing excellence and support.  

We are fortunate to work with so many great people and support each other's work.  Congratulation to all honorees, you can watch the full awards presentation here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhdu3P0wuRE and find out more about the STAR award nomination criteria here: https://ucanr.edu/sites/ANRSPU/Supervisor_Resources/Staff_Appreciation_and_Recognition_STAR_Awards/