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Junior Gardener Department

OAGC offers a dynamic junior gardener program that prepares members for personal growth and career success through plant science, floral arts and leadership.


OAGC develops members’ interest and helps them discover their talent through hands-on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success.


OAGC’s pursuit of Horticulture education provides youth with the tools to explore, learn, enjoy, and pursue a plant science based future.


For those seeking a more artistic career path, OAGC’s commitment to floral arts complements STEM studies while fostering the youth’s artistic flair.


These Junior Members are our future biologists, entrepreneurs, teachers and professionals in many career fields.

OAGC’s Junior Gardener Program is an extracurricular youth organization for those interested in plant science, floral arts and leadership. 

Junior Gardener Contests:

Any junior gardener club member or junior member-at-large must score 70 points or more to be considered for an award.

Five contests fall under direction of the Junior Gardener department:

Junior Community Beautification Contest – The purpose of this contest is to encourage youth participation in community beautification. The project consists of submitting a simple project book (which covers a one year period) and application form to the state junior gardener chair. The top winner will be recognized at the annual convention and receive a $50 award to the club plus a certificate of award for each club member. Junior clubs are eligible to enter as often as they want until they have won the award. Winners must wait two years before reentering the contest.

Outstanding Junior Gardener Award – This award is given to a junior who has done outstanding work in gardening projects over a 2 year period. The contestant must submit a journal, personal publicity book (securely fastened in a project folder) and the application form to the state junior gardener chair by December 15. The winner will be notified by the state junior gardener chair and recognized at convention with a $25 award, a certificate and a ribbon.

Outstanding Junior Garden Club Award – This contest encourages youth to become involved as a group in gardening activities and civic projects. Clubs compile and submit a project book documenting their activities and must have been registered for the current year with the state junior gardener chair to be eligible to compete. The winning club will be notified by the state junior gardener chair and recognized at convention with a $25 award, a certificate and a ribbon.

Reed Award – The Reed Memorial Award is given to a junior for outstanding contribution and interest in nature, wildlife and the preservation of birds. The entrant must be aged 8 to 18 and preferably a member of an OAGC junior garden club. The entrant shall submit an essay of at least 100 words and a journal documenting their work to the state junior gardener chair by December 15. The winner will be notified by the state junior gardener chair and recognized at convention with a $25 award, a certificate and a ribbon. Award may be won only once.

Origin of OAGC

Junior Gardener Logo

Jr. gardener logo

Shedenhelm Award – Juniors who are interested in nature and conservation are encouraged to compete for this award. They should be aged 8-18 and preferably a member of an OAGC junior garden club. The entrants must have an interest in nature and conservation, give demonstrations and prepare exhibits on natural subjects (such as wildflowers, native trees or plants, invasives, endangered species, etc). Entrants are to submit an essay of at least 100 words and a journal documenting their work to the state junior gardener chair by December 15. The winner will be notified and recognized by the state junior gardener chair at convention with a $25 award, a certificate and a ribbon. Award may be won only once.

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