Members of the Azalea Garden Club are optimistic the future of their club is in good hands.
They’re counting on members of the Berri Patch Kids Junior Garden Club, who are not afraid to dirty their hands and dig deep into the soil to experience the joy of gardening, to keep their club intact in later years.
It’s not uncommon to find young members of the group tilling soil, planting seeds or pulling weeds in some of the community’s parks. The young gardeners, ranging in ages from 8 to 11 years-old, are members of one of the limited number of junior federated garden clubs in the state and are sponsored by the Azalea Garden Club. The 12 club members from five Iberia Parish schools also represent Girl Scouts of Louisiana Troop 186.
The club not only provides an opportunity for children to enjoy gardening at an early age through hands-on skills, but it creates awareness of the world around them and teaches the importance of recycling and conservation.
“We combined the junior garden club with the Girl Scouts and it allows the girls to earn extra patches. It’s the best way to have a junior garden club,” said Versa Dore, an Azalea Garden Club member and leader of Troop 186.
“It’s all about teaching children about nature and protecting our planet. If they appreciate flowers and plants, they are more apt to respect it. It all goes hand in hand. The big thing is they are enjoying the outdoors. It gets them away from the computers for a while.”
Her granddaughter Ainsley Dore, 9, has been a member of the club since its inception five years ago and has rightfully earned the nickname “green thumbs.”
“We have to treat plants like humans and take care of them. We can’t live without them. Plants give us oxygen for life and we give them care, so it is all about fair share,” she said.
“It feels good to know that I am helping to make the world a better place. Gardening is awesome.”
The fourth-grade Delcambre Elementary student said she has the same love for nature as her grandmother and is hoping more of her friends become involved in gardening and the clubs conservation and recycling efforts.
The Berri Patch Kids have already garnered a first place state conservation award by the Louisiana Garden Club Federation for their efforts to recycle plastic bottles after setting up recycle bins at two area fitness workout centers.
“It was a way to create awareness. More than 200 plastic water and sport drink bottles were collected in just a week from two gyms,” said Dore.
The group also earned a first place in state excellence of flower show competition by the LGCF and is hoping to garner another top award this year after holding the Small Standard Horticulture Show Saturday at the Parkview Library. Club members centered this year’s show around the theme “Louisiana Fairies.”
Jolié Derouen, 10, a fourth-grade student at Center Street Elementary School, and Emma Poirrier, 10, a Jefferson Island Elementary fourth-grader, look forward to the monthly meetings.
“It’s really fun to plant and I didn’t mind getting dirty,” said Jolié.
Margaret Melancon, a member of the Azalea Garden Club, said the junior group was responsible for planning the show, creating the schedule, selecting the theme and decorating. Credited garden club judges from Lafayette, Opelousas and St. Martinville judged the show.
“The Berri Patch Kids do all the planning and preparing for the show and we only monitor it. It’s really amazing to see the creative ideas and different themes they come up with. There is a real talent in their designs,” said Melancon.
The group also took on a planting project at Rynella Park to spruce up flower beds and took part in a scavenger hunt with a requirement that members pick up a bag of trash along the route.
“It is all about teaching about the environment, but in a fun way. The kids are even promoting interest among the parents,” Melancon said.
Brittany Mason, 10, a fifth-grade student at Magnolia Elementary School, and Lilly Tsitso, 8, a third-grade student at Delcambre Elementary School, said the club has been beneficial in helping them to learn more about flowers and nature.
“You might get a little dirty, but it is fun and you are with your friends,” said Lilly.
Mallorie Williams, 9, a fourth-grade student at Highland Baptist Christian School, is a relatively new member of the club but is picking up a few tips along the way from her friends.
“I like it. I am learning how to plant flowers and vegetables and how to take care of the plants,” she said.
Dakotah Prejean, 10, a fourth-grade student at Jefferson Island Elementary, has been in the club for three years and is hooked on gardening.
“It’s fun learning abut the different plants,” she said.
Courtney Thibodeaux, 10, a fourth-grade student at Caneview Elementary, said she often helps her grandfather in the garden and enjoys it. After helping to plant gardenias at the Lydia Park, she said she felt good about having the opportunity to do something positive for the park.
“I like to help my grandfather with the cucumbers and tomato plants in the garden. This has helped us to bond together,” she said.
Versa Dore, also a Louisiana State University master gardener since 1999, said her goal is to get as many children involved so they can enjoy the wonders of gardening and develop the same admiration she has for the beauty found in nature.
“I look at the beauty of a garden and know there is a God. Gardening is not work for me, it is just taking care of what God lent us,” she said.