The Wellman Garden Club met at the Senior Center on Thursday, Nov. 17.  To begin, we were treated to a reading of “The Night Before Thanksgiving” read by President Marilyn Powell.  October minutes were read and approved, and the treasurer reported that we have $259 in our treasury.

Members responded to our roll call question about products that we prefer to buy as organic by saying fresh vegetables & fruits (especially bananas), eggs, meat, & milk.  Many grow some of their own vegetables & consider that to be organic.

Ellen Johnston gave a presentation on organic and natural foods.  She grows a variety of natural food on her farm near Morning Sun, Iowa.  Ellen grew up in Iowa and did office work for many years here and later in California.  When she was ready to retire, she decided that gardening would be fun, so she returned to Iowa to do it.

Technically, organic means no toxic chemicals (fertilizers or pesticides).  There are several other guarantees with “certified” organic products like no GMO, soil testing is done, etc. 

Why use organic?  The speaker says those foods are tastier and more delicious.  Growing things naturally provides a fun way to exercise, it’s educational, helps build immune systems, and improves health.

Ellen especially loves to grow garlic and brought several varieties to show us.  Using mostly hand tools like hoes and rakes, she produced several thousand heads of garlic this year; she saves her own seeds for the next planting.  Garlic has several health benefits: it lowers blood pressure, cholesterol and LDL, prevents blood clots, regulates blood sugar, is an anti-fungal, a natural antibiotic, and a memory enhancer.  It was interesting to hear about her planting process, and to see her enthusiasm for gardening. 

December’s meeting will be a Christmas luncheon, catered by Janet Stutzman, on Friday, December 16th in the Asbury UMC Fellowship Hall.  The tea committee served a delicious pumpkin dessert, nuts, candy, and beverages, all of which were enjoyed as we sat and visited further with our entertaining guest speaker.