Yockey named to Minnesota State Horticultural Society Board of Directors

Gardeners in rural areas just got a much stronger voice in the Minnesota State Horticultural Society.

Red Wing resident Terry Yockey was recently named to the society’s board of directors and got her first taste of the position Wednesday when she went through orientation at a board meeting in Roseville, Minn.

“There are 14 board members and I’m the only one that’s outside of the Twin Cities,” Yockey said, adding that she’s excited smaller garden clubs will now have representation. “I’m kind of proud of it.”

Her position on the board is one she didn’t actually try to get for herself. Unbeknownst to Yockey, someone sent in a nomination form and she was accepted. Although she’s never been told who submitted the nomination, Yockey said she’s grateful they did.

“Once I was nominated it seemed like a really good opportunity,” she said.

Yockey was one of four new members added to the board of the horticultural society this year. Although the society is rooted in Minnesota, it stretches much farther.

“We have a membership of over 9,000 in the state and from all over the upper Midwest,” Yockey explained. “It’s a really great group and it’s been around since 1873.”

The main purpose of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society — one of the largest horticultural societies in the country — is to support garden clubs. The organization offers an extensive library of gardening books, expert educational classes, chances to meet other gardening enthusiasts and a bi-monthly magazine, “Northern Gardener,” that features stories, tips and ideas.

Yockey said she plans to use her presence on the MSHS board of directors to draw more attention to garden clubs outside of the Twin Cities so that the significance of gardening continues to be seen in other communities.

“There are a lot of smaller garden clubs whose memberships have gotten older and they’re actually shutting down,” Yockey said, mentioning two that had to fold just last year. “I want to concentrate on trying to help the smaller garden clubs get new membership and younger membership so they’ll still stay vital.”

Being from the same rural areas she’s hoping to help will benefit Yockey in her efforts while on the board — as will her years of experience as a Master Gardener.

“I think those are my two strong suits. I’m a Master Gardener and I’m also from a garden club that’s outside of the Twin Cities,” she said.

As a board member for MSHS, Yockey will go to meetings every other month and is invited to attend activities sponsored by the society throughout the year.

One of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society’s biggest events is coming up at the end of August during “the great Minnesota get-together.”

The group will have a booth in the horticulture building at the state fair and will invite new memberships from anyone interested — no green thumb required.

Tags: garden, outdoors, minnesota, news