What We Do
Milwaukee District Garden Clubs (MDGC) is involved in numerous projects, programs and activities. MDGC members help coordinate and volunteer at the Habitat for Humanity plant share, and we participate in Wisconsin Garden Club Federation (WGCF) and the National Garden Clubs' (NGC) projects – especially the Blue/Gold Star Memorial Markers. For the last couple of years, our Director Diane Olsen's district project has been "It's All Connected" – the Hank Aaron State Trail.
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.
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.
124 Habitat Homeowners at Plant Share
On June 7, Milwaukee District Garden Clubs helped with the Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity's 20th annual plant share. Susan Miller who is chairman of the District's project, was pleased with the great turnout of homeowners and garden club volunteers.
"We had volunteers working June 5 and 6 to gather, mark and place the plants so everything was ready for when we opened on June 7," Susan says. "There was a record of 124 Habitat Homeowners who came and were able to get plants for their yards and gardens."
Thanks to the donations of eight Milwaukee District garden clubs, MATC Mequon, nine professional greenhouses and several master gardeners, the parking lot at 3726 North Booth Street was filled with plants. Habitat families were able to select vegetables, annuals, perennials, yard accessories and create their own porch pot. With the help of money received from two grants, every family went home with a bag of potting soil. Milwaukee District Garden Club members helped the families select plants and shared planting and growing tips.
"We had volunteers working June 5 and 6 to gather, mark and place the plants so everything was ready for when we opened on June 7," Susan says. "There was a record of 124 Habitat Homeowners who came and were able to get plants for their yards and gardens."
Thanks to the donations of eight Milwaukee District garden clubs, MATC Mequon, nine professional greenhouses and several master gardeners, the parking lot at 3726 North Booth Street was filled with plants. Habitat families were able to select vegetables, annuals, perennials, yard accessories and create their own porch pot. With the help of money received from two grants, every family went home with a bag of potting soil. Milwaukee District Garden Club members helped the families select plants and shared planting and growing tips.
Milwaukee Habitat Honors MDGC's Former Plant Share Chairman
Judy helps a Habitat homeowner at the 2022 plant share.
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For many years, Judy Newman chaired the Milwaukee District Garden Clubs Habitat for Humanity committee. She helped coordinate the annual MDGC's plant share until she passed in December 2023. To honor Judy's work and dedication, Milwaukee Habitat created and gave the Judy Newman Building Beauty Awards this year. Read more about the awards and Judy's work at milwaukeehabitat.org/the-judy-newman-building-beauty-awards.
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Blue/Gold Star Memorial Markers
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MDGC planted red, white and blue perennials at the Blue Star Memorial Marker June 17 on the grounds of the Milwaukee VA Medical Center across from the Fischer House. Nancy Gregory, MDGC Blue/Gold Star Marker Chair, coordinated the planting.
Nancy used funds from Lynn Ehnert's Director's project to buy seven Knock Out roses, 48 sedums and 24 Lion's paws. She worked with Paul Brunette, the VA grounds keeper (pictured on the right in bottom photo), who provided mulch and soil amendments. In addition to volunteers from the Town & Country Garden Club, 12 members of IBEW Local 2150 Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (led by their Secretary/Treasurer Doreen Reske in green vest in bottom photo) provided the muscle and helped with the clearing of the beds and digging holes for the perennials. Click HERE to learn more about the history of the Blue/Gold Star Memorial Markers and how involved garden clubs have been in establishing and caring from them in Wisconsin and across the nation. |
It's All Connected – Hank Aaron Trail
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Milwaukee District Garden Clubs raised funds for an ADA bench on the Hank Aaron Trail that was installed July 12 at the Hank Aaron Trail Head access point located at South 89th and West Schlinger Avenue in West Allis.
As MDGC Director, Diane Olsen's project the last four years has been to help develop the Hank Aaron Trail. Under Diane's leadership, MDGC raised funds for the ADA bench and the three native American Plum trees that were planted near the bench. Constructed of recycled plastic lumber. the bench has a plaque commemorating the MDGC donation. The Department of Natural Resources will maintain the area around the bench and water the plum trees. A world-class urban trail, the Hank Aaron State Trail is a 14-mile paved, continuous east-to-west connection from the shores of Lake Michigan to the Milwaukee/Waukesha county line and the Oak Leaf Trail. You'll find some of Milwaukee's top destinations along the route as well as a variety of environments ranging from urban, to river views, to prairie and wooded surroundings. In addition to the bench, MDGC was a major contributor to the "People of the Roads" sculptures that honors the railroad workers who carried Milwaukee’s name across the country on rails. |
At the installation of the bench on the Hank Aaron Trail were (left to right, back row) Norma McReynolds, Susan Miller, Kerry Krokos, Diane Olsen and Lynne Ehnert and (sitting on the bench) Nancy Gregory and Kitty Larkin.
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Educational Programs
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.
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 scholarhip 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 scholarhip fund. Garden club members and others donate to this fund as a tribute or in memory of a friend or loved one.
National Garden Clubs Schools
Many of our members attend the officially-approved National Garden Clubs, Inc (NGC) courses in landscape design, environmental studies, garden studies and floral design/flower show. Offered on a rotating basis, these courses or “schools” are provided about every six months for two years with two-days of classroom presentations and tours at each session.
Environmental Study School
Currently, the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation (WGCF) is offering an Environmental Study School with NGC oversight. The first first session was held Oct. 20 to 21, 2023 at the Maywood environmental Center in Sheboygan. Participants learned about ecology, biodiversity, backyard habitat, sustainability and various environmental issues and toured the center
Many of our members attend the officially-approved National Garden Clubs, Inc (NGC) courses in landscape design, environmental studies, garden studies and floral design/flower show. Offered on a rotating basis, these courses or “schools” are provided about every six months for two years with two-days of classroom presentations and tours at each session.
Environmental Study School
Currently, the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation (WGCF) is offering an Environmental Study School with NGC oversight. The first first session was held Oct. 20 to 21, 2023 at the Maywood environmental Center in Sheboygan. Participants learned about ecology, biodiversity, backyard habitat, sustainability and various environmental issues and toured the center
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 serve gardeners in Dodge, Jefferson, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha counties who are gardening for good in our communities.
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