The Federated Garden Clubs of Vermont (FGCV) were formed in the 1936-1937 calendar year. The FGCV are responsible for coordinating the goals and activities of the various garden clubs within the state. Activities and responsibilities undertaken by the FGCV include support or direction of a variety of civic, educational, and environmental programs and projects. The FGCV also provides a scholarship to one Vermont student interested in the study of horticulture, forestry, ecology or other gardening subjects a year. Historically, the FGCV have been active participants in supporting and campaigning for legislation to improve and maintain the environment, especially laws to prohibit the use of billboards. Other legislation which they have supported includes the Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act and legislation pertaining to the establishment of a National Garden Week and a Vermont Garden Week. One of the founders of the FGCV was Hortense Ferguson Childs; the first president of the FGCV was Miss Ethel Winnik of Fair Haven.
The Vermont Horticultural Society was founded on December 3, 1896, in Burlington, Vermont. The Horticultural Society was located in the old medical building at the intersection of the head of Main Street and University Place and was an outgrowth of the University of Vermont's horticultural department. Ezra Brainerd, a president of Middlebury College from 1885 to 1908, was the first president of the Vermont Horticultural Society.
From the description of Horticulture in Vermont scrapbook, 1942-1944. (Vermont Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 698367201
