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Education is a large component of the MDGC. Our clubs offer educational programs to members and the public on new plant varieties, garden pests and diseases, pruning, wine tasting, nature walks through public gardens and arboreta, fun with flowers workshops and more. And, of course, gardening tips are always available from fellow members.
Many of our members attend the officially-approved National Garden Clubs, Inc (NGC) enrichment courses in landscape design, environmental studies, garden studies and floral design/flower show. Offered on a rotating basis, these “schools” are provided about every six months for two years with two-days of classroom presentations and tours. To encourage our garden club members to attend these enrichment sessions, the MDGC offers financial incentives such as paying the registration fee.
Also, the Milwaukee District and several of the garden clubs in it raise funds for and provide scholarships to college students in southeastern Wisconsin. In addition to awarding MDGC scholarships to college students in southeastern Wisconsin, we promote NGC's three youth projects: 1) the Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl poster contest, 2) writing poetry and essays and 3) creating sculptures.
Many of our members attend the officially-approved National Garden Clubs, Inc (NGC) enrichment courses in landscape design, environmental studies, garden studies and floral design/flower show. Offered on a rotating basis, these “schools” are provided about every six months for two years with two-days of classroom presentations and tours. To encourage our garden club members to attend these enrichment sessions, the MDGC offers financial incentives such as paying the registration fee.
Also, the Milwaukee District and several of the garden clubs in it raise funds for and provide scholarships to college students in southeastern Wisconsin. In addition to awarding MDGC scholarships to college students in southeastern Wisconsin, we promote NGC's three youth projects: 1) the Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl poster contest, 2) writing poetry and essays and 3) creating sculptures.
Environmental School
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Environmental School – A Success!
Another successful WGCF Environmental School took place Sept. 26-27 at Maywood Environmental Park in Sheboygan. This was Course 3 in the 4-course series and the overall theme was air and related issues. Participants learned about air and how air pollution forms and affects people and animals. For the school's field trip, the students visited the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center to learn what farms are doing to prevent the pollution of air and waterways. Consider signing up for Course 4 which will focus on water issues and will be held in 2026. Trivia fact: WGCF sponsored the first Environmental School in the country. |
MDGC Offered Financial Incentive Milwaukee District Garden Clubs was happy to pay the $80 registration fee for a garden club member from our district to attend the September WGCF Environmental School. The incentive defrayed some of the costs of attending the school at Maywood Environmental Park in Sheboygan. We'll be offering incentives to the 2026 Environmental School and other National Garden Club schools being held in Wisconsin. |
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College Scholarships
The MDGC scholarships program encourages college students in southeastern Wisconsin to study horticulture, floriculture, landscape design and architecture, botany, forestry, agronomy, plant pathology, environmental studies, city planning and land management. MDGC scholarships are funded through interest money accrued from its memorial scholarship fund. Garden club members and others donate to this fund as a tribute or in memory of a friend or loved one.
The MDGC scholarships program encourages college students in southeastern Wisconsin to study horticulture, floriculture, landscape design and architecture, botany, forestry, agronomy, plant pathology, environmental studies, city planning and land management. MDGC scholarships are funded through interest money accrued from its memorial scholarship fund. Garden club members and others donate to this fund as a tribute or in memory of a friend or loved one.
Kimberly Rusch
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Scholarship Recipient Pursues Landscape Design Degree
Congratulations to Kimberly Rusch who is the recipient of Milwaukee District’s 2025 scholarship. Kimberly is currently enrolled in the horticulture program at Milwaukee Area Technical College on a path towards an Associate’s Degree in Landscape Design. She graduated from University of Wisconsin – River Falls in 2006 with a degree in Marketing Communications with an emphasis on agriculture, and worked in that field until 2015 when she took time off to focus on her growing family. During this time, Kimberly found a love for flowers, plants and her landscape. When all three of her children started school full time, she went back to work in Landscape Maintenance at Lammscapes in Jackson. Kimberly wants to start a new career as a Landscape Designer using plants that require little to no maintenance to help homeowners build curb appeal with minimal effort. She says the MDGC scholarship will help her financially reach her goals and “I’m immensely grateful to the Milwaukee District Garden Clubs”. |
Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl Poster Contest
One of our most popular educational programs for youth is the Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl poster contest that garden clubs help coordinate every year. Hosted by the National Garden Clubs, Inc. and the U.S. Forest Service, the poster contest is for children from first to fifth grade. For more information, visit the National Garden Clubs, Inc., or the U.S. Forest Service.
One of our most popular educational programs for youth is the Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl poster contest that garden clubs help coordinate every year. Hosted by the National Garden Clubs, Inc. and the U.S. Forest Service, the poster contest is for children from first to fifth grade. For more information, visit the National Garden Clubs, Inc., or the U.S. Forest Service.
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Milwaukee District Garden Clubs (MDGC) was founded in 1932 as a part of the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation which is a member of National Garden Clubs, Inc. and its Central Region. A not-for-profit educational organization, we are proud to serve garden clubs who are gardening for good in southeastern Wisconsin.
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