Botanical Conservatory
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Pictured above left to right: Eli Baker/Best of Show for Cut Flowers, Christian Hupe/Best of Show Vegetable, Macenzie Blosser/Best of Show 1st Year Plant (Asparagus Fern), Eli Baker/Best of Show 2nd Year Plant (Spider Plant), Lillian Bennett/3rd Year Plant (Strawberry Begonia)
Bringing joy and happiness through plants is what the Show is all about!
SCFVA History
In the early 1920’s, Park Superintendent, Adolf Jaenicke began organizing a program with the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce that would provide potted plants to school children. According to minutes from October 5, 1923, Board of Park Commissioners instructed Mr. Jaenicke that “plants be propagated in our greenhouse and later be distributed among school children throughout the city.” The program officially began in 1926, and later, the first distribution took place in 1927 when a plant display by participating students was held at the courthouse. In 1928, flower seeds became available for purchase, and later in 1929, vegetable seeds were included as well. Mrs. John Memmewisch served as the first president of what eventually came to be known as the SCFVA, School Children’s Flower & Vegetable Association. Under her leadership, the constitution was written to include all children in public and parochial schools.
Locations for an annual display changed over time as the number of plant entries grew. Following the first display, the location was moved to Central High School until 1954. It then moved to the Memorial Coliseum when challenges arose with each school wanting its own exhibit. In 1958, the association was disbanded with the “sincere hope that a new organization might be formed that would sponsor the continuation of the program.” A re-organized SCFVA was formed after the Park Board maintained the program through 1961 when a new constitution was adopted, elections were held, and a new era of the plant show had begun! First made possible via volunteer efforts, plants and seeds were distributed to elementary school children in the spring. Come fall, each school held its own local plant show when all blue-ribbon winners became eligible to participate in a City-Wide Blue-Ribbon Show. This annual recognition show has been held at Franke Park, Blackhawk Middle School, and at the McMillen Community Center as its most recent location.
The program purpose as stated in the by-laws is to “further education in the Nature Study Theory by growing plants and molding characteristics of worth in making citizens of the future.” Current-day, it is managed by the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory and Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department. More than 19,000 potted plants are grown and distributed each spring. An abundance of seeds is also distributed and sown by participating children. On average, there are more than 60 schools, including homeschool groups, who participate in the SCFVA program. Together, let us continue to enhance an interest in nature that is inherent in children!
Join us on Facebook!
Like our page today and learn more as the season progresses on growing vegetables, cut flowers, herbs and potted plants!
Chairperson and Judge Information for 2025
2025 SCFVA Chair Booklet (Now AVAILABLE!)
SCFVA Order Form- (pages 5 & 6) in January of each year: order seeds, ribbons, t-shirts, pencils and plants! NEW: A FREE tree seedling is available for every 3rd grade student. Make sure you check out that information in the Booklet as well.
2025 SCFVA Judges Booklet (Available in July)
If you encounter any problems with downloading any of this information, please contact Amanda Amstutz (427-6443) or via e-mail:
Student Information
Late spring our crews will be delivering plants to local elementary schools (K-4th grades) participating in the SCFVA program. Children will then be bringing those plants home with care instructions and asked to grow those plants throughout the summer and bring in the next school year to their School Plant Show. In the fall, their local school has a show where all of the plants and vegetables are judged and ribbons are awarded. The Blue Ribbon winners then go on to compete at the Blue Ribbon Show held yearly at McMillen Park Community Center. Please contact Amanda Amstutz, 260-427-6443 or via e-mail:
School Children’s Flower and Vegetable Association
Flower, Plant and Vegetable Show And Blue Ribbon Show
Hey students, remember that plant or the seeds you took home from school in April? Your school is going to have a show soon where you can bring back your cut flowers, vegetables or plant to be judged. If you win a Blue Ribbon you will be invited to the Blue Ribbon Show at McMillen Park Community Center.
Your plant died? Don’t worry, you will be able to bring in another favorite plant for judging. Please contact Amanda Amstutz, 260-427-6443 or via e-mail:
Principal Plant
Each year the school principal is given a plant too! We encourage the principals to show their plants at the School shows and collect their blue ribbons and then bring their plants to compete with other principals at the Blue Ribbon Show.
City-Wide Blue Ribbon Show Information
2025 Blue Ribbon Show
The 2025 Blue Ribbon Show date will be September 13, 2025 at the McMillen Park Community Center ( 3901 Abbott Street).
Thanks to our SCFVA Executive Committee and volunteer judges who give so graciously of their time to assure the continued success of this program!
This program would not be possible without all of our loyal chairpersons, judges and volunteers who put in a lot of time covering all of the details of each school show!
Please help us keep the Conservatory a flourishing oasis and sanctuary in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne. Thank you.
Thank you for considering a planned gift for the Conservatory ~ your thoughtfulness means so much for our future.
Gifts to the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory through estates, insurance policies and other planned giving options provide the support necessary to operate an uplifting, enjoyable and welcoming botanical facility.
Planned gifts also may include funds from cash gifts, stocks, annuities, or retirement plans. Unless otherwise designated, these gifts will be placed into the Conservatory’s general trust fund ~ providing support for many projects such as quarterly exhibits, the plant collection and capital improvements.
Interested in giving options at the Conservatory and how you can help the gardens thrive as a vital part of our community? Please contact Linda at
Giving options include:
Cash Gift
Make a significant cash gift ~ per IRS regulations you may be eligible for deductions on your taxes.
Gift of Certificate of Deposits, Savings, or Brokerage Accounts
Name the Conservatory as an account owner to receive funds upon your passing.
IRA disbursements
Donate your IRA withdrawal as part of the required annual Qualified Charitable Distribution after the age of
70 1/2. Your gift may help reduce income taxes you owe.
Designation as a beneficiary in a will, trust, or retirement plans
Name the Conservatory as a beneficiary for your estate via a will or trust or for IRA/401K policies.
Stocks, annuities, insurance plans
Designate the Conservatory as the beneficiary for stocks, annuities or insurance plans.
Funds from donor-advised funds
Do you already have a donor-advised fund? Make a gift now and/or add the Conservatory as one of your beneficiaries for a gift later of remaining funds.
Funds from split-interest charitable trust
Name the Conservatory as a recipient of your split-interest trust – to receive gifts now and at the end of the trust term.
Curious about the Conservatory, its history and future? – click here to learn more!
(The Conservatory is a division of the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department and donations made to the department are considered deductible charitable contributions per Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines. All donors will be recognized in the annual report of the Park Department.
We suggest you contact your financial and legal advisor for detailed information on how to make a planned gift.)
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