In 1911, Miss Jane Haines established the School of Horticulture for Women at Ambler, Pennsylvania to provide agricultural and horticultural training for young women.
Woman’s National Farm and Garden Association, Inc. (WNFGA) was organized in 1914 by Mrs. Francis (Louisa) King, renowned author of gardening books and of many magazine articles as well as garden editor of McCall’s Magazine.
Together with some of her friends, Louisa King developed the idea for a farm and garden association whose aim would be to stimulate interest in the conservation of our natural resources and an appreciation for country life as well as to support the Ambler school.
Louisa King was named the first president and served in that capacity until 1920. During her presidency the broad purposes of the organization found expression in education and scholarship; the setting of high marketing standards and in conservation. It also saw the establishment of Woman’s Land Army Units (The Farmerettes) of World War I fame (pictured below).
To learn more about us you can read a book written by Martha A. Nolan titled “A Chronicle – The History of Woman’s National Farm and Garden Association, Inc. 1914-1984″. Lesher Printers, Inc. Fremont, Ohio. A copy may be found at the Schlesinger Library Radcliffe College, Cambridge, MA. Other copies are available through online book sites.
We honor our founder for her tremendous amount of work and her foresight in recognizing the need to bring opportunities to women. We encourage all of our branches to set aside January 12th of each year as Founder’s Day to commemorate and thank our founder Louisa.
Aims and Purposes
The aims and purposes of this nonprofit Association shall be, as stated in the Articles of Incorporation, to enable our members to cooperate in furthering agricultural and horticultural interest through membership in divisions and branches throughout the United States as follows:
- To operate solely for benevolent, charitable and educational purposes;
- To aid in the protection and conservation of natural resources, to protect civic beauty and to encourage an appreciation of country life;
- To cooperate with federal and state agencies in efforts to improve conditions affecting home and community life;
- To further conservation, agricultural and horticultural education and related fields of study through scholarships and educational awards;
- To furnish its members with opportunities for the marketing of farm and garden products and handiwork;
- To provide for the exchange of members’ ideas and members’ education by means of the official publication;
- To cooperate with other national and international organizations in the furtherance of these aims and purposes.
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Areas of Focus
Various branches and groups have different focuses that work toward accomplishing our Aims and Purposes as follows:
- Civic Service: Will leave our community a better place through community activities related to civic improvement and beautification.Contact: salicel@aol.com
- Education/Scholarship: Make scholarships available to anyone wishing to further the aims and purposes of our organization, and who meets the specific qualifications.Contact: ejbrice@mindspring.com
- Environmental Concerns: Will leave our earth a better place because of our having been here by stimulating and promoting an interest in healthy environmental activities.Contact: oscil@snip.net
- Floral Arts: Will facilitate an appreciation of floral arts within our organization; better educate our members in floral arts; honor any member/s who have made outstanding contributions in this focus to our organization; and will make provisions for any of our members, so desiring, to qualify as a Flower Show Judge.Contact: open
- Gardening: Will balance our social activities with horticultural related activities.Contact: Louise446@aol.com
- Horticultural Therapy: Will help heal and rehabilitate people with special needs, and improve our physical and mental well being through the use of plants and horticulturally related activities and will further the interests of our members in this important endeavor to help them accomplish their goals.Contact: Marlajdiamond@comcast.net
- International Cooperation: To become more aware of the needs and activities women of around the world in our sister organizations, and to do our part to help.Contact: cscioly@hotmail.com
Divisions and Branches
As the WNF&GA grew over the years it became necessary to organize into functional units. Today there are four Divisions: Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania; each composed of a number of branches.
There are also a number of branches dedicated to a particular interest like herb groups and floral design groups.
At large membership is available for those living in areas not covered by a Division or Branch and we welcome the opportunity to help you start a new branch in your area if there is sufficient interest.
National and International Affiliations
The WNFGA maintains ongoing relationships with a number of national and international organizations that, like WNFGA are dedicated to agriculture, horticulture, environmental restoration and appreciation of a country lifestyle.
Achievement Awards
Branch Achievement
WNF&GA enjoys rewarding its branches with special recognition for their hard work. We have created an award for each of our eight focuses.
Branch Achievement Application Form
Membership
Come join us in friendship and service to our communities, our nation, our world!
To Complete a Membership Application simply print out the form and fax or mail it according to the instructions on the form.
