Item:
Title
Recognize Extension Agent Ashley Troth for winning the 2026 Distinguished Early Career Award from the Extension Master Gardener (EMG) National Committee (5min)
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: November 9, 2026
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to recognize Extension Agent Ashley Troth for winning the 2026 Distinguished Early Career Award from the Extension Master Gardener (EMG) National Committee for her work with the Extension Master Gardener Program at Durham County Cooperative Extension.
Ashley received the award at the 2026 National Extension Master Gardener Coordinator Conference in Chicago in August. The award recognizes Extension professionals with less than 10 years' experience who demonstrate outstanding leadership, measurable program impact, innovation, collaboration, and commitment to the Extension Master Gardener mission. Since 2018, in just eight years, Ashley has distinguished herself in all these areas-strengthening the Extension Master Gardener program in Durham County while contributing ideas, leadership, and expertise to the statewide program.
Ashley has led the Extension Master Gardener program in Durham County through significant growth. Since 2018, the program had grown to 156 volunteers, interns, and students contributing 13,458 hours of service at a volunteer value of $460,028 to Durham County. Ashley has also strengthened program evaluation and reporting to better capture the impact of volunteers’ work.
Under Ashley’s leadership, these volunteers have earned multiple International Master Gardener Conference Search for Excellence Awards for innovative research, demonstration gardens, communications, and community outreach, including launching the Master Gardener Plant Festival. Ashley has expanded pollinator education and recently co-developed the Hattie Meadows Gardening School with Durham County Library and Duke Gardens colleagues, which has introduced hundreds of residents to sustainable gardening practices.
More broadly, she has expanded public access to research-based horticulture education by recording and sharing educational classes, mentoring other extension agents, and contributing to statewide educational resources. She is a genuine public servant who seeks to turn challenges into opportunities to serve the Durham County community and beyond.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: This recognition falls under the strategic focus areas of Empowered Community, Regional Leadership, Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment, and High Performing Organization.
Resource Persons: Donna Rewalt, County Extension Director; Ashley Troth, Extension Agent
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board recognize Extension Agent Ashley Troth for winning the 2026 Distinguished Early Career Award from The Extension Master Gardener National Committee.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________