Include juniors

in your flower show!

by Nancy Annis

Flower Show Chair

While the Junior Division in a flower show does not represent many points on a flower show contest scorecard, it can make a huge difference in the quality of the show. County Fair flower shows receive only 7 points for including a Junior Division. Some members may say, “Whew! That is a relief!” But the value is actually much higher as these junior gardeners are our future gardeners!

To see an outstanding junior show, visit the Darke County Fair Flower Show in Greenville, OH. Their Junior Division is bigger and better than many adult shows in the state. Their juniors are encouraged to do more than is ordinarily expected and seem to have great fun creating table pictures, tea tables and still lifes. Not many of the state’s flower shows include these classes and not many generate the level of enthusiasm that these juniors bring to the show.

The Darke County junior garden club leaders are constantly teaching good design and horticulture practices. Let us all join their effort in teaching our juniors to enjoy Knowing, Growing, Showing and Sharing gardening and design skills.

Thanks also to all of you who spend time in the schools teaching students gardening and design skills. Waverly Garden Club in Region 10 does just that and the local teachers really appreciate it. Even though not every student will be interested, it is still worth the effort. You are making a difference in a young person’s life when you teach him or her something that can give pleasure for many, many years. What can be more rewarding than that?

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