Our History
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Founded in 1937 as the Nassau Garden Committee, the Sussex Gardeners have grown from a small group of eight dedicated members into a vibrant organization committed to horticultural excellence, community beautification, and environmental stewardship.
Over the decades, the club has evolved through name changes, leadership transitions, and an expanding range of projects—from planting daffodils in Dodd Park to leading garden therapy initiatives and advocating for environmental legislation.
With a rich history marked by creativity, civic engagement, and a passion for gardening, the Sussex Gardeners continue to play a vital role in enhancing the natural beauty and community spirit of Sussex County.
Affiliations and the Pride of Membership
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What it means for Sussex Gardeners to be a “Federated Garden Club”
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Sussex Gardeners, as a Federated Garden Club, is part of the largest volunteer gardening organization in the world, National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC). As the ‘Garden Club of the Nation,’ the NGC is divided into eight regions. The Central Atlantic Region of State Garden Clubs, Inc. (CAR-SGC) includes the states of Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Maryland, and the National Capital Area. Delaware has its own federation, the Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. (DFGC) which includes our club in eastern Sussex County.
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We are an active member of DFGC, our state federation. We provide strong support for DFGC goals and activities, including fundraising to support the Scholarship Fund and attending and hosting the DFGC State-wide Meetings. We consistently submit updates of our Club activities for inclusion in the DFGC Newsletter. Our Club members serve on the DFGC Board as Officers and Committee Chairs. In recognition of these and our many other accomplishments during the 2023-2024 program year, Sussex Gardeners was the 1st place winners of THE PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE. Read more.
