Wilfred J. Jung Distinguished Service Medal
The Wilfred J. Jung Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to one Allied Trade member who has contributed significantly to the promotion of home gardening and garden communications. Candidates are nominated by the membership, recommended by the Honors Committee and elected by the Board of Directors. Self-nominations are welcome.
Wil Jung (pronounced Yung), was president of the J.W. Seed Company, a family business founded by his father, and later served as executive director of the Garden Writers of America from 1984 to 1991.
2026 Honoree - UpShoot
Maria Zampini is a fourth-generation nurseryman and proud of her horticultural heritage. In 2009, Maria partnered with her father, Jim Zampini, to launch UpShoot LLC, a boutique horticultural marketing firm specializing in the global sales, marketing, and licensing of new plant introductions, gardening products, and related services. Current B2B clients include Concept Plants, Plantipp, Quality Cuttings, Next Stage Labs, Garden Genetics, and others.
Maria has, of course, made personal contributions to GardenComm International for many years, but we honor her and her company for being an active and loyal Allied Member. Because of Upshoot’s support of GCI, we’ve been better able to gather, connect, and recognize quality communications.
| Medal Winner | Year Honored |
|---|---|
| UpShoot | 2026 |
| Iseli Nursery® | 2025 |
| Ball Horticultural® | 2024 |
| Proven Winners® ColorChoice® | 2023 |
| National Garden Bureau | 2022 |
| Brent and Becky's Bulbs | 2021 |
| Renee Shepherd | 2020 |
| Bailey Nurseries | 2019 |
| Corona | 2018 |
| St. Lynn's Press | 2017 |
| Dramm Corporation | 2016 |
| The Garden Conservancy | 2015 |
| Monrovia | 2014 |
| Ferguson Caras PR | 2013 |
| Gardener's Supply Company | 2012 |
| Proven Winners | 2011 |
| All-America Rose Selections | 2010 |
| Fiskars | 2009 |
| Longwood Gardens | 2008 |
| Chanticleer Garden | 2007 |
| Brooklyn Botanic Garden | 2006 |
| All-America Selections | 2005 |
| Park Seed Co. & Wayside Gardens | 2004 |
| Fafard, Inc. | 2003 |
| Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association | 2002 |
| Timber Press | 2001 |
| J. Frank Schmidt & Sons Co. | 1999 |
| Davey Tree Expert Co. | 1998 |
| Sun Gro Horticulture | 1997 |
| Lilypons Water Gardens | 1996 |
| Klehm Nursery | 1995 |
| W. Atlee, Burpee Seed Co. | 1994 |
| Goldsmith Seeds | 1993 |
| Miracle Gro Products Inc. | 1992 |
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MISSION
GardenComm provides garden communicators with opportunities for education, recognition, and career development while sharing trusted information and fostering an inclusive, collaborative community.
GardenComm serves professionals who communicate with consumers, businesses, media, and the horticulture industry. By connecting professional communicators with credible expertise, industry resources, and one another, GardenComm helps improve the quality and reach of garden and horticultural information.
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GardenComm: Garden Communicators International
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