Leland-Deer Creek Garden Club earns state and regional honors
Members of the Leland-Deer Creek Garden Club returned home from a successful awards season after receiving a large collection of honors at both the Garden Clubs of Mississippi State Convention in Natchez and the Deep South Garden Clubs Convention, recognizing the club’s dedication to beautification, conservation, education, community service and horticultural excellence.
The club captured numerous first-place awards in the Large Club Division during the Mississippi convention, showcasing the breadth of its work throughout the Leland community.
Among the club’s top honors were:
● Overall Winner for Backyard Wildlife Habitat
● First Place – Backyard Wildlife Habitat
● First Place – Garden Education Center
● First Place – Container Gardening
● First Place – Food Bank Donations
● First Place – Food Gardening
● First Place – Radio and/or Television Programs
● First Place – Yearbook (70-99 members)
● First Place – Edible Gardening
● First Place – Children’s Gardens
● First Place – Outstanding Horticulture Activities (Gay Austin Award)
The club also earned two prestigious River Road District awards for:
● Wildflower and Nature Grant
● Garden Therapy Grant
The honors continued beyond the state level as the club received recognition from the Deep South Garden Clubs, Inc., which includes garden clubs from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.
At the regional convention, the Leland-Deer Creek Garden Club received:
● First Place for Horticulture
● First Place for Yearbook (70-99 members)
Club President Kay Boone said the awards reflect the dedication and teamwork of every member.
“These awards are a wonderful reflection of the passion, creativity and countless volunteer hours our members invest throughout the year,” Boone said. “Whether we’re creating wildlife habitats, growing food for those in need, educating children, or beautifying our community, our members work together with one goal—to make Leland and the Mississippi Delta an even better place to live. We are honored to be recognized by both the state and regional organizations.”
The awards recognize programs completed during the 2025 club year, including environmental stewardship projects, educational programming, community outreach, food security initiatives and horticultural activities.
The Leland-Deer Creek Garden Club celebrated its 103rd year and has long been recognized as one of Mississippi’s most active garden clubs, promoting conservation, civic beautification, gardening education and community involvement throughout the Delta. The club’s continued success at the state and regional levels highlights its commitment to enhancing both the natural environment and the quality of life for residents of Leland and the surrounding area.
