{KXLG – Watertown, SD} The Hall of Fame from South Dakota has announced the recipients of their 2025 Act of Excellence Award, and the Coteau Prairie Master Gardeners (CPMG) from Watertown are among those who are honored for their extraordinary joint effects. This award sponsored by Sanford Health recognizes individuals and organizations in the whole state that show an extraordinary commitment to community, compassion and positive changes.
The gardeners of the Coteau -Prairie master were recognized for their impressive partnership with the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. Through this collaboration, trained volunteers from SDSU extension devote their time every summer to teach over 50 children the joys and skills of the garden.
The practical program enables children in grades 1 to 6 to participate in all aspects of gardening, test the soil and water, weed, harvest, harvest and compost on site in the “garden court”. In addition to cultivating plants, the children learn valuable lessons about where their food comes from, how important it is to take care of living things, and the advantages of teamwork. The program also promotes self -confidence, leadership qualities and healthy habits among the young participants.
The efforts of the young gardeners extend beyond the garden themselves. The products you harvest are used in the kitchen of the Boys & Girls Club for snacks and meals. In addition, additional vegetables for the wider community via a free product stand in the club are provided.
The South Dakota Hall of Fame emphasized the mentoring model of the CPMG program and found that the certified voluntary consistent and caring instructions offer the garden a place of learning and belonging for the children. For many young participants, the program offers a valuable opportunity for learning outdoors and access to fresh products.
Laurie Becvar, CEO of the South Dakota Hall of Fame, praised the award winners and explained: “These award winners show us what is possible when the passion fulfills the purpose. Their stories are reminiscent that excellence acts come in many forms – and each of them makes South Dakota stronger.”
The Coteau Prairie Master Gardeners are among the six recipients of the Act of Excellence Award 2025. The other award winners are:
- Country Tractor Run (New Effington): An annual 50-mile tractor ride that has collected over $ 500,000 for Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana.
- Hyde County Parks and Recreation (Highmore): A basic effort that collected 1 million US dollars for the construction of a new public swimming pool in two years.
- Promising futures find (Sioux Falls): This initiative supports students in schools with high poverty through various education programs.
- Rapid City Central High School Class from 1977: An alumni group that operates ongoing service bars, including the construction of houses and beds for the needy and plants of community gardens.
- Volunteers of America, Dakotas (Sioux Falls): For your Camp Postcard program, which builds trust between law enforcement authorities and students from the middle school for adversities.
To learn more about the Coteau Prairie Master Gardeners program, you can visit the Excellence Directory of acts of excellence in the South Dakota Hall of Fame website.