Welcome to the New England Garden Clubs’ 10th Annual Meeting

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Vermont!

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On behalf of the Federated Garden Clubs of Vermont, it is my pleasure to welcome our fellow gardeners from all six New England states. We are delighted that you have joined us here in Vermont for this opportunity to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, share ideas, and celebrate the work we all care so deeply about.

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There is something special about bringing together gardeners from across New England. Our landscapes may differ, our growing conditions may vary, and our individual clubs may have their own traditions and priorities. But we share a common bond: a love of gardening and a belief that what we do in our gardens reaches far beyond the boundaries of our own backyards.

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Our theme for the Federated Garden Clubs of Vermont this year is “Gardening Fosters Connections.” It is a simple phrase, but one that captures so much of what makes garden club membership meaningful.

First, gardening connects us to one another. Our clubs are communities built on shared interests, friendships, and a willingness to contribute our time and talents. Whether we are planning a flower show, maintaining a public garden, organizing a program, or simply gathering to exchange gardening tips, we discover that the relationships we cultivate can be every bit as rewarding as the gardens themselves. And gatherings like this remind us that those connections extend well beyond our individual clubs and states.

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Second, gardening connects us to our communities. Through public gardens, civic beautification, educational programs, flower arrangements, conservation projects, and outreach to the next generation, garden club members make a visible difference in the places where we live. We help people see the beauty around them, learn how to care for it, and understand that even small acts of stewardship can enrich a whole community.

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And third, gardening connects us to nature and the environment. Every time we plant a native species, support pollinators, conserve water, improve our soil, or create habitat for birds and other wildlife, we strengthen our relationship with the natural world. Our gardens remind us that we are not separate from nature; we are participants in it, with both the opportunity and the responsibility to help it flourish.

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These three connections—among ourselves, with our communities, and with the natural world—reinforce one another. The more we learn together, the more effectively we can serve our communities. The more we understand our environment, the more thoughtfully we can garden. And the more we share what we know, the more people we can invite into this rewarding work.

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That is one of the great opportunities of this six-state gathering. We can learn from one another, discover fresh approaches, and return home with ideas that might take root in our own clubs and communities. Perhaps just as importantly, we can renew our sense that we are part of something larger than any one organization or state.

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So, as we begin our time together, I invite you to think about the connections you have already cultivated—and the new ones you might grow here. May our conversations be lively, our friendships deepen, and our ideas travel home with us and continue to blossom.

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Thank you for being here, thank you for all you do for gardening and the environment, and welcome to Vermont. Let’s make this a wonderful gathering!

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