Do you all know that National Garden Clubs, Inc. is the largest volunteer gardening organization in the world?  We, The Garden Club of Kentucky, Inc., are a service organization first and foremost.  Yes, we probably became garden club members for the fellowship and to gain gardening knowledge, but we mustn’t forget our most important missions and they are to educate and beautify our communities and protect our environment.  I can’t imagine a group that is “greener” than garden clubs.  We all need to be shining examples by being good stewards of our earth every day.  Mother Nature and Mother Earth need all the help we can give them, especially now!

This administration’s theme, “Catch the Rain” will focus on rain gardens, rain barrels, and outdoor water conservation.  Hopefully, you are already using wise water conservation practices indoors and out.  Water is becoming a precious commodity and we should conserve it in any way possible by diverting it for use in our gardens and keeping it out of our storm water systems in other ways, as well.  It’s a plus for our planet and our pocketbooks.

Rain gardens have seen a surge in interest lately and they can be a lovely addition to your home landscape.  There is abundant information about them on the web and programs are presented frequently around the state by various organizations.  I am asking a favor of all Club Presidents… as soon as possible, please let me know how many rain gardens and rain barrels your club members have currently.

Involve your kids or children’s groups…they can have loads of fun painting rain barrels, so keep them involved and set them to work after you have made or purchased your barrels.  While they are busy painting (and a captured audience), be sure to tell them all about the benefits of rain barrels.

Every club president will receive quite a bit of information on rain gardens, barrels, and other outdoor water conservation methods.  Please share it with your club members and encourage everyone to “Catch the Rain”.

National Garden Clubs President, Renee Blaschke’s theme is “The World Around Us   Love It – Beautify It – Protect It”.  She will be stressing the importance of individuals to take personal responsibility for their actions in protecting the environment.  Her main project is “Beautify Blight”.   South Atlantic Region Director, Carolyn Patterson’s theme is “Color Our World – Pass on Our Gardening Heritage”.  Whether it is in flower arranging or landscaping - color is very important in design; and children are drawn to bright colors.  Her special project is “Good Soil”.

I am looking forward to two years of fun, learning, sharing, meeting, and making new friends with garden clubbers throughout this beautiful commonwealth of ours.

Kay Fisher, President 2009-2011