Mission and Purpose
“Inspire. Connect. Grow.” National Garden Bureau is a non-profit organization that exists to educate, inspire, and motivate people to increase the use of garden seed, plants and products in homes, gardens, and workplaces by being the marketing arm of the gardening industry. Our members are experts in the field of horticulture and our information comes directly from these sources.
Click here to download a PowerPoint presentation explaining “What is National Garden Bureau?”
History
The inspiration of James H. Burdett, National Garden Bureau was born in 1920 in the wake of World War I. He perceived the need of suburbanites for basic instruction in backyard gardening. Because of his unique background as both a newspaper journalist and an advertising manager of a seed company, he appreciated the role of the media in public education. He pioneered the idea of enlisting horticultural writers and broadcasters in the effort of mass education to create a population of gardeners. In the process, he improved the lives of citizens. NGB came of age during World War II when the government encouraged homeowners to grow Victory Gardens. By means of annual posters promoting “Beauty and Abundance in Your Garden” and other materials, the Bureau promoted seeds and gardening on the home front. In 1943, Mr. Burdett’s book, The Victory Garden Manual, was published to aid home gardeners in creating a successful garden. Then, the postwar years saw an emphasis on community beautification and the Bureau responded with a film, brochures, programs, and information sheets to help gardening communicators further this cause among the public. Incorporation as a not-for-profit organization soon followed.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020, National Garden Bureau relaunched the Victory Gardening concept with a series of blog posts with a Victory Garden 2.0 theme. Coincidentally, this relaunch just happened to occur at the same time as the 100th anniversary of NGB.
Board of Directors
National Garden Bureau has a Board of Directors composed of eight to twelve regular members. Members serve for a period of three years with the option to serve a second three-year term. The Board makes all necessary rules and regulations consistent with law, the Articles of Incorporation, and By-Laws, for the conduct of the affairs of this organization and the guidance of its officers and employees.
President – Jeannine Bogard, Syngenta Flowers, Inc.
Vice President – Josh Kirschenbaum, PanAmerican Seed
Past President – Nicholas Pucci, Seminis Home Garden
Treasurer – Marissa Verdi, Harris Seeds
Director – Chris Berg, Blue Skye Creative
Director – Scott Mozingo, Griffin
Director – Lisa Heredia, Danziger
Director – Alec Charais, Bailey Nurseries
Director – Jessica Cudnik, American Takii
Director – Alisha Burns, Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Executive Director – Diane Blazek, National Garden Bureau