We're in our third year with regards to a special horticultural therapy program that has bloomed within our club! This program helps support young adults with intellectual and developmental challenges and/or autism within our community. Our VIPs (as we like to call the young men and women who participate) work along side our club members in the Graham Park Community Garden in Cranberry Twp. and the Mars Library Pollinator Garden, in downtown Mars. Each 'work' session in the garden ends with a fun garden themed activity or craft. We love the hands on aspect of connecting with nature and embracing the creativity our surroundings can inspire.
We had 22 sessions with the VIPs in 2025 and 14 of our members volunteered their time to help. Both the Community garden and the Library garden benefited from the extra watering and weeding and the VIPs were able to enjoy the benefits of gardening and learning new skills.
Our 2026 garden club meetings will resume on Tuesday March 24th .... as we take a winter break in the months of January and February.
Be sure to SAVE THE DATE for our 18th Annual Garden Tour scheduled for Saturday June 27, 2026. Always a great day filled with beautiful gardens and lots of inspiration!
Jill Barger
President, Southern Butler County Garden Club