President’s Message December 2025
In my area of the country, the days are short and the nights are much too long. Snow covers the ground, everything seems to hibernate. Temperatures are low, winds are gusty and my ambition seems to follow suit. A steaming cup of tea near the fireplace with a good book looks very inviting to me. In a few weeks, the days will begin to lengthen, the sun will shine brighter and our spirits will lift with the arrival of new seed catalogues.
Some of our members are ready to plant their winter annuals, others are hoping houseplants can hang on for a few more months inside dry, low light rooms. Those in the warm climates continue to garden, while snow-bound northern residents wish for sunny days and higher temperatures. A season for everyone and everything. Seasons change, and so must our organization. We have weathered every storm and coasted on every calm sea since 1914. Our achievements are great; the Aims and Goals still serve us today. Education of the public and ourselves is paramount to our existence. It is said that the only thing that remains the same is Change.
And change we must if we are to continue the legacy brought forth so many years ago. Our founders knew women were capable of so many tasks, if they could gain the necessary education. The same holds true 111 years later: We change and educate ourselves to adapt when the need arises.
It is in this spirit that Farm & Garden will move forward to a future that will offer so many opportunities for all of our members and the public. The Transition Committee has made many recommendations going forward. Some will be difficult to accept. However, each Branch or Club will benefit from a new form of leadership, new ideas and a step up to current technology. Communication will be easier and faster. Networking is vital to any organization, it will be facilitated with the new look of WNF&GA.
Come with us! Find out what your Farm & Garden has to offer for your Branch!
Mary Bertolini, President 2024-2026