Billmayer honored by state federation of garden clubs

Press release

Bullhook Blossoms member Susan Billmayer of Hogeland was honored at the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs at their annual meeting in Missoula in June as Member of the Year.

Susan has devoted well over three decades actively volunteering for the Bullhook Blossoms club, Jumping Junipers and the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs. Serving as a project chairman and engaged leader in two local clubs, where she's been a member, her enthusiastic, outgoing and "can-do" attitude has attracted new members along the Hi-Line area of rural Montana. Members want to be in her club because she's an active and welcoming friend.

Susan is a Montana life member, attends state and district meetings, and reports about programs and policies to the membership. You will see her regularly volunteering at club, district, and state meetings, as well as graciously hosting the MFGC officers during statewide tours.

As a gardener, Susan closely tied to the vagaries of Mother Nature on the farm she shares with her husband. Thus, her desire to expand her horticulture knowledge and teach club members and youth about growing edibles, flowers, and houseplants. Susan takes these teaching skills and travels many miles to present educational programs throughout the state.

For the past 15 years, one of Susan most notable contributions has been her oversight of and ultimate responsibility for the Montana Flower Show Schools program and symposiums for flower show judges. In this position, she is in contact with over 30 judges across the state and provides them with opportunities to maintain good standing as judges. Susan encourages the judges and club members to create educational and high-caliber flower shows, and she maintains close contact with the Montana Judges Council. When Susan enters flower shows as a contestant, she handily wins an impressive number of blue ribbons in the horticulture and design areas.

Furthermore, she demonstrates her high level of dedication by negotiating contracts with the instructors and at school venue, creating the budget and marketing for the events, registering the schools and symposiums with National Garden Clubs, arranging for the exams, tracking the vast amount of paperwork requited for a school, and maintaining current records for both students and judges.

Susan is an inspiration for her organized work ethic, countless volunteer hours, and commitment to the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs educational mission.