About Our Club
The stars were aligned on a spring day in 2003. Arlene Wallace, membership Chair of Rancho Murieta Women’s Club, stopped by Maureen Gormley’s home with an invitation for her to join. When Maureen asked if the Clubs interest groups included a garden club, she learned instead it had a Garden Group which focused on events. Because Maureen’s interest was gardening education, Arlene suggested she form a garden club – an overwhelming task for Maureen who, while enjoying beautiful landscapes, admittedly knew nothing about gardening and had never even attended a garden club meeting! Fortunately, by the end of that summer with the help of California Garden Club’s New Club Chairman, Marie Hanson, Mindy Cecchettini and six other dedicated women, River Valley Garden Club had:
- Decided its membership would be open to women and men living in
Rancho Murieta, Sloughhouse, Wilton and nearby communities, - Secured use of the RMA building for evening meetings to allow those who worked daytime hours an opportunity to attend;
- Scheduled nine educational programs, a holiday social and two tours;
- Obtained nursery discounts
- Determined meetings would be held on the 4th Tuesday of each month September through June, with the exception of a December Holiday Social which would be held on a Sunday
- Set dues ($20 member/$30 family), and
- Membership forms, name badges and a handout which included the above information.
River Valley Garden Club held its first formal, regularly scheduled Club meeting on September 23, 2003, with 50-plus people in attendance. By June of that first year, membership had reached 108.
Congratulations River Valley Garden Club on this, your 20th anniversary.
Founded in 2003, the River Valley Garden Club (RVGC) is open to residents of Rancho Murieta, Sloughhouse, Wilton and nearby communities. RVGC is a member of California Garden Clubs, Inc. (CGCI) and, National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC), and qualifies as a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
What We Do
Growing Community
Growing Community
Growing Community
We are involved in our community, performing civic beautification projects. And in celebration of Arbor Day, we planted a native Blue Oak. Additionally, we offer scholarships to community college students pursuing a career in horticulture, gardening, landscaping and related areas. We also contribute to Penny Pines (a reforestation progr
We are involved in our community, performing civic beautification projects. And in celebration of Arbor Day, we planted a native Blue Oak. Additionally, we offer scholarships to community college students pursuing a career in horticulture, gardening, landscaping and related areas. We also contribute to Penny Pines (a reforestation program), and provide grants in support of worthy horticulture projects such as youth gardens at a local elementary.
Education
Growing Community
Growing Community
Presentations at our meetings have included growing Carnivorous Plants & Bromeliads, use of fertilizers, and Koi pond building. On past tours, we visited a mushroom grower, an olive oil maker, and a Poinsettia Nursery. And in our workshops, we’ve learned Ikebana flower arranging, pruning techniques, tool sharpening, and container gardening.
Join Us
Growing Community
Join Us
Would you like to join the fun?
The River Valley Garden Club is open to residents of Rancho Murieta, Sloughhouse, Wilton and nearby communities. Meetings are held the 4th Tuesday of the month. Our Membership Form is available below.
Membership
Member benefits include:
- Monthly meetings with informative speakers;
- Tours to interesting places;
- Fun workshops; and
- Discounts at nurseries.
Not a member? Why not be a guest at one of our general meetings and see what we're all about?
General Meeting Details:
When:
4th Tuesday of each month
September, October, and January through June