Our Garden Council symbol is an abstract motif of a seedling emerging from the ground symbolizing the beginning of life and represents the dynamic growth of our Council. It was designed in 1972 by Valerie Malstrom, an Art Major at Western Michigan University under the direction of Helen Neff, Awards Chairman. The original purpose of an appropriate motif was to emphasize the importance of good gardening and effective landscaping around the homes and the businesses in our area.