October has arrived! With the start of garden club season in Arizona, so begins the President’s Challenge to all club members. Arizona’s theme is “Conservation is Key!” The call for conservation is about wisely using natural resources to beautify our communities and protect our water, soil, land and air. This challenge has been designed into three parts.
#1 – AFGC Club President Reports for 2026
Specific to Arizona garden clubs and plant societies, AFGC Club Presidents submit reports to the AFGC Board in April and October. For the 2026 reports, the club presidents are asked to include one or more statements about how their club projects are incorporating conservation education or practices into their activities. This may include program speakers, club gardens, donations to relevant non-profits or community educational events. Participation will be recognized and add to the club’s cash prize at AFGC Annual Meetings in April.
#2 – “Go Wild, Go Green, Go Garden”
www.azgardenclubs.com/Conservation-is-Key
The Challenge Wall is comprised of 4 focus areas for study with thoughtfully selected definitions, articles and links to key websites. This educational webpage is a place for you to visit and revisit to learn something more or new about sustainable gardening, reforestation, Arbor Day tree planting, and Firewise Communities and living with wildfires. Everyone is encouraged to make this a fun learning experience by getting together in study groups to discuss and to answer 3-question surveys. The Challenge Wall is open to all garden club members across all states, as well as the public. For Arizona clubs, survey answers correlate to tokens for club recognition, cash prizes and a Club Badge to be awarded at the AFGC Biennial State Convention 2027.
#3 – The Gardener’s Pledge
www.azgardenclubs.com/TheGardenersPledge
Every person in the world is encouraged to sign this pledge. Open to garden club members, family, friends and the public. The pledge outlines 10 steps for being a more mindful gardener. It asks you to consider how your everyday habits affect the environment. You will receive a “Certificate of Participation”, and an Arizona club of your choice receives points towards club recognition and a cash prize at the AFGC Biennial State Convention 2027.
The President’s Challenge went live online on October 1st, 2025. Come check it out!
