It was submitted in competition by Mecklenburg County urban forestry agent John MacNair, who serves as its compilations editor. Leah Chester-Davis, area specialized agent in marketing and media relations for Mecklenburg, Gaston and Cabarrus counties, is the newsletter’s editor.

Among the horticulture/forestry agents who have contributed to Successful Gardener’s winning effort are: David Goforth, Cabarrus; Fred Miller, Catawba; Paul McKenzie, Durham; Toby Bost, Forsyth; Stephen Greer, Gaston; Karen Neill, Guilford; Kevin Starr, Lincoln; John MacNair, Mecklenburg; Emily Revels, Mecklenburg; Royce Hardin, Orange; John Vining, Polk; Kimberly Johnson, Randolph; Darrell Blackwelder, Rowan; Willie Earl Wilson, Union; and Carl Matyac, Wake. Dr. Robert Lyons, director of the JC Raulston Arboretum at N.C. State University, contributed photographs.

Earlier this year, the publication won the Silver Quill Award, the top award presented by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), U.S. District II.

Successful Gardener is published every month except January and July. Available at garden centers and nurseries throughout the state, it features articles to help people increase their knowledge of gardening, manage their landscape investment and protect the environment.