The Distinguished Service Award is the association’s highest honor. It is presented to an individual for his or her years of active membership and extensive involvement in the association.
- 1987 Lin Maletzke
- 1988 John Schaefgen
- 1989 Charles Gerlach
- 1990 Richard Garbe
- 1991 Marshall Scheibe
- 1992 Don Groth
- 1993 Tuenis Zondag
- 1994 Matthew Stano
- 1995 Dr. Edward R. Hasselkus
- 1996 Terry Kurth
- 1997 MATC Horticulture Department
- 1998 Ralph Gerber
- 1999 Bliss Nicholson
- 2000 John Luznicky
- 2001 Jeff Edgar
- 2002 Joe Phillips
- 2003 Gregory Long
- 2004 Randy Jasperson
- 2005 Edward Knapton
- 2006 Bill Vogel
- 2007 John and Ginger Ahl & Cal and Arlene Frelk
- 2008 Bruce Sadowski
- 2009 Heather Schuster