Key Notes Article January 2016
Garden Club of Kentucky, Inc.
Edith S. Nelson, President
Now that 2015 is coming to a close, I hope each of you will reflect back on the many accomplishments that you have achieved during this past year and focus on new ideas and projects to make 2016 even better and more productive.
When I was installed as president in April 2015, I had high hopes for The Garden Club of Kentucky members to involve our youth in garden club activities and stimulate their interest in the environment. I wanted them to learn about our beautiful earth and how to take care of and preserve it, for they are our future stewards of this land. It is our responsibility as gardeners to share our knowledge.
Looking over year-end reports has proven that my hopes have not gone astray. Special Project Youth Advisor Chair, Ann Kowalkoski with the help of our five district Youth Chairmen have reported that our clubs are very busy working within their own communities with local libraries, presenting gardening workshops with Kids Club at a church, working with a county 4-H Director who provides after School Youth and Junior Gardening Projects. One club is working with a Girl Scout Troop to earn the Native Plant Patch. Activities with the youth include making concrete stepping stones , releasing 5,000 ladybugs, flower pounding to make stationary, study of native plants, identification of trees by their leaves, recycling programs for sculptures, and participating in flower shows.
Native Pollinator Conservation for Youth is another of my special projects with emphasis on South Atlantic Region’s theme Inspire Conservation through Education. State chairman Linda Porter is coordinating this initiative and provides our clubs with information needed for planning and completing their projects. She has put together a Pollination for Kids PowerPoint presentation to be used with primary grade children. The presentation could be easily adapted for upper elementary grade children.
Club members are supporting National President Sandy Robinson’s special project Service in Action protecting the Monarch Butterfly by planting and maintaining Monarch Way Stations. As we build on the accomplishments of the previous administration, Kentucky now has over 300 Way Stations and more are planned in 2016. Members are providing milkweed seed to students to plant in children’s gardens at school and libraries.
The Garden Club of Kentucky, Inc. and Middlesboro Garden Club hosted Flower Show School Course I on November 12-14, 2015 in Middlesboro, KY with 24 students in attendance. Plans are underway for hosting Course II.
Wishing each of you a Happy New Year.
Edith S. Nelson
