Direct Gardening Association

02/04/2022

Curious . . . has the snowstorm caused consumers to peruse catalogs (print or online) more the past few days? Are you seeing an upkick in sales as a result of gardeners hunkering down? Would be interested in hearing how some of the gardening companies are doing this winter. Care to share any general comments?

07/26/2021

It's sad when I have to share this type of news with my DGA friends (especially when we don't get to visit very often). But I wanted to make sure you all were aware that Val Gosset's husband Connie passed last week, Wednesday evening, July 21. Here is Val's post which includes the link to the obituary:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/.../conrad-gosset-10278646.
If you plan to attend the service (Tuesday, July 27), please arrive at the cemetery (317 Bow Lane, Middletown, CT) by 9:45 AM and proceed to the Administrative Building. Restrooms are available right outside of the administrative building. Cemetery personnel will take everyone to the gravesite shortly before the 10 AM start time. The whole service will last no longer than 15 minutes, so please be prompt. It sounds like they run the schedule with military precision.
The luncheon and remembrances will be held at The Golf Pavilion at Lyman Orchards, 70 Lyman Road, Middlefield, CT. As the name suggests, the venue is outdoors under a shaded pavilion. We have use of the facility until 3:00 PM.
On Wednesday and Thursday, the family will be receiving visitors at home (60 Treeland Road, Shelton, CT) from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM. There’s ample on-street parking and -- weather permitting -- you will find us on the patio in the back yard.
I hope to see many of you in the days ahead.

Please keep Val in your thoughts and prayers. RIP Connie. Memorial contributions in Conrad’s name may be sent to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW, Washington, DC 20024 or www.ushmm.org.

03/23/2021

What a stunning photo! Taken of one of our member's tulip fields -- Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm. That'd be a nice view to have outside your kitchen or office window.

Mt Hood from the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm.

https://www.woodenshoe.com/

03/04/2021

The Direct Gardening Association is no longer an active non-profit trade organization. However, as the former executive director, I am willing to keep this site open and monitor it. One of the strong points of the DGA was the willingness of our members to share industry information and knowledge with others. We knew that helping each other learn, grow and succeed in turn strengthened our industry. The site will provide past members of the DGA and friends of our organization a place to keep in touch with each other and to share information that may be helpful. It will operate somewhat as a chat room (positive comments only, please) or forum where ideas can be exchanged. Please PM if you have any questions or suggestions. Happy gardening!

12/09/2020

This fall has been tough for the Direct Gardening Association as we've had to say "farewell for now" to three longtime and valuable representatives of member firms. Most recently we learned of the passing of Charles B. Thomas, on December 7, 2020. Charles and his wife Sally purchased Lilypons Water Gardens in 1975. He served as its president until he retired from that position on December 31, 1988. Charles was very active in the DGA for many years and was president 1992-93. Those involved in the DGA then may remember Charles as the person who made sure everyone "didn't miss the bus" when an offsite tour was on the agenda. Ever the gentleman, he greeted all with a smile and warm welcome. Our condolences to his wife Sally, and the entire Thomas family. RIP Charles. You can find the obituary for Charles Thomas at https://www.bowersoxfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Charles-B-Thomas?obId=19220191 #/obituaryInfo.

11/25/2020

The DGA has lost another one of its longtime members. Clayton Beaty passed Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at around 10 p.m. at his home in Cleveland, TN. Clayton was 78. His son John shared that his father had battled a lung infection. No service is planned at this time. Clayton requested his body be cremated and his ashes spread over their family farm. He was a true Southern gentleman and strong supporter of our organization. Rest in peace Clayton. Condolences to John Beaty or his mother Judy Beaty, should be mailed to Beaty Fertilizer, Inc., PO Box 2516, Cleveland, TN 37320-2516.

10/21/2020

The direct marketing industry lost one of its best today. Jim Zuckermandel, founder of ZED Marketing, lost his hard fought battle with Parkinson's. He was a long time member of the DGA (past president) and one of our most positive supporters. He was a friend to everyone he met. He will be missed greatly. Rest in peace Jim Z. I'd like to share with you the tribute his son Mike posted. He describes well the man his dad was. "Today dad lost his long battle with Parkinson's. While I'm overrun with all of the emotions I do rest in the promises of God that I will see him again. He passed away at home surrounded by his kids and my mom (Nancy
) which were his wishes. I don't have words and I don't expect anyone else to have them either really. All those that met him loved him instantly - he was the most loving passionate man.
I believe these couple things sum up JWZ and how he lived by example for not just us kids, but his friends, co-workers or random people in line at the store he chatted up:
-Love harder - not just your family and friends, but those that are sometimes hard to love. 1 John 4:7
-Smile more - even on the hard days you seen to barely make it out of bed. Proverbs 11:25
-Be humble - walk the walk don't just talk the talk. Ephesians 4:2
What I wouldn't give to have 1 more morning at the lake house eating his famous French toast, 1 more round of golf, 1 more time of him pulling me skiing or wake boarding, 1 more remodel project, 1 more Zed trip to a client to see JZ the master relationship builder work his magic, or one more time he'd tell me how much he loved me.
I will rest in the peace that only God can provide. I plan to use all his guidance to raise my kids and bonus kids to be loving and kind like their grandpa; and for myself to be a patient, loving husband like he was to mom.
We will have service on 11/5 in Edmond, OK. Full details will follow soon."

09/01/2020

DIRECT GARDENING ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP APPROVES PLAN FOR DISSOLUTION

As Executive Director of the DGA, this is not a post I enjoy sharing. However, the DGA Board of Directors and I believe it is important to be upfront with our industry partners and friends. After taking a serious look at the state of the organization, the board of directors made the difficult decision earlier this year to begin the process of dissolving the Direct Gardening Association. This summer the DGA membership unanimously approved the plan for dissolution.

The DGA is a non-profit 501(c)6 organization, which means there are several steps we must follow for dissolution. One of the steps is obtaining unanimous approval from our current members, which we have successfully done. Also, we are required to distribute any remaining assets to another non-profit organization (after all financial obligations have been paid). The board of directors considered several different non-profit organizations and voted to donate any remaining funds to KidsGardening.org, which is based in Burlington, VT. The mission of KidsGardening.org is to create opportunities for kids to play, learn, and grow through gardening, engaging their natural curiosity and wonder. Many DGA member firms have contributed to KidsGardening.org in the past and the board believes donating to this program helps ensure an ongoing interest in gardening among future generations.

It has been my sincere pleasure to serve as the DGA executive director and to be an active member of the organization for many years. I consider myself to be an optimistic person and I try to keep faith in the cliche “When one door closes, another window opens.” Perhaps there’s an opportunity for another DGA-type organization to succeed at sometime in the near future. I hope we can maintain our DGA friendships and working relationships.

Effective September 1, 2020, please direct your DGA questions and comments to this phone number, 217-242-0997. The DGA email: [email protected], will remain active for now. You may also contact me at [email protected].

On behalf of the entire DGA Board of Directors, thank you for your cooperation and understanding of this matter.

Roberta Simpson-Dolbeare
DGA Executive Director

05/29/2020

04/22/2020

April 22, 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. I'd like to give a shout out to the businesses that are a part of the Direct Gardening Association, a non-profit trade organization that has been in existence since 1934. The purpose of the DGA is to assist its member businesses with ways to market and provide the finest gardening products, information and service to the consumer. People around the world have been gardening much longer than 50 years and gardeners in general have always respected and worked to take care of their Earth. LIkewise, the companies associated with the DGA have always worked to provide productive plants that enhance healthy living as well as hardgoods to make gardening easier. Happy Earth Day!