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!