California Garden Clubs Inc. (CGCI) was organized Dec. 5, 1931 and admitted to membership in the National Garden Clubs, Inc., and the Pacific Region Garden Clubs, Inc.

The organization was incorporated in California on May 18, 1936. It is the largest nonprofit, volunteer gardening organization in the state of California with over 350 garden clubs, plant societies, affiliates and youth groups representing more than 15,000 members.

Valley Lode District is one of 20 districts in CGCI. The Linden Community Garden Club and the Escalon-Farmington Garden Club are in the Valley Lode District. Listed in the Valley Lode District are Clubs in San Joaquin, Tuolumne, Alpine, Stanislaus, Calaveras, and Mono counties.

The Valley Lode District has several meetings a year in different locations. The most recent meeting was hosted in Stockton and each president of the local garden clubs is invited to present a report on the activities of their club. Representing the Escalon-Farmington Garden Club and offering remarks at the meeting was Co-President Lorraine Nicholson, while Linden Community Garden Club Vice President Elsie Alegre provided an update on that club. Each District meeting also includes a guest speaker.

Linden Community Garden Club and Escalon-Farmington Garden Club meet every month. Each club also presents a speaker who teaches subjects related to plants and gardening.

The date for the next Escalon-Farmington Community Garden Club meeting is Thursday, March 7. The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. at the Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon.

Guest Speaker Riley Probst will offer information on the topic “Growing iris” and will take questions following the presentation. He is an Iris Master Garden Judge and well known throughout the country.

Following the presentation, there will be a short break for snacks, followed by the business meeting, a door prize drawing and more.

For additional information, text or call Lorraine Nicholson at 209-613-8708.