Wilmot Junior Gardners recognised for their love of nature

Outstanding Creative Gardeners, from left: Mayor Natasha Salonen; Janice Wagler, youth leader; Chloe Thompson; Katelynn Cressman; and Sandra Cressman, youth leader. Absent: Cole Schwartzentruber and Zach Schwartzentruber. Janice Wagler photo

By Amanda Nelson

Garden Wilmot youth were recognized at an awards night at the Wilmot Recreation Complex on Sept. 15 for their participation in the 2026 Junior Gardens program. Participants were recognized for their dedication and hard work, as well as their creativity, imagination and love of nature.

The Junior Gardeners program is for those ages 6 to 18 who are interested in gardening. Youth grow their own gardens, make friends, and win prizes for gardens they create at their homes or local properties.

This year, 27 youth participated, with 11 first-time members. The seeds provided for the 2026 program included cherry rose sunflower, white cosmos and their choice of carrots or beets.

The Junior Gardeners' herb planters were also on display at the New Hamburg Fall Fair.

Garden Wilmot 2026 awards for Outstanding Creative Gardeners went to Katelynn Cressman, Chloe Thompson, Cole Schwartzentruber and Zach Schwartzentruber.

“Their gardens were an amazing reflection of sustainability, growing fresh food for dinner and reconnecting with nature. Colour Paradise provided gift cards for each of them,” said Janice Wagler, Garden Wilmot member.

Seven youth have been growing a Junior Garden for five years and were recognized with a trophy and a certificate from Mayor Natasha Salonen and MP Tim Louis. The youth were also awarded a cash prize from Garden Wilmot to encourage their continued horticultural interest. The recipients of this award were Eliza Baer, Leah Finnie, Joshua Foster, Ellie Penfold, Hunter MacLaren, Matthew Kuepfer and Hailey Thompson.

Junior Gardeners had also prepared all season for the 118th Ontario Horticultural Association Convention in Oshawa from July 24 to 26. Garden Wilmot was proud to bring 39 entries from 10 youth for the youth competition.

Garden Wilmot would like to thank those who generously supported their 2026 Garden Wilmot Junior Gardeners program: Ontario Seed Company, Garden Wilmot, Listowel Florist, Domino’s Pizza, Waterloo County Dairy Producers, Colour Paradise, Meadow Acres, Wellesley Home Hardware, Dentistry on Lawrence, MP Louis, Salonen, Turkey Farmers of Ontario and Egg Farmers of Ontario.