AAS Celebrates 85 Years and a New Office
All-America Selections is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year.
The organization also recently moved its headquarters, added three new directors and issued it 2017 annual report.
When the idea for All-America Selections was conceived in the early 1930s, there were only a few flower or vegetable testing locations around the country. There was no national, independent testing program nor a uniform standard for evaluation of new varieties.
Founder W. Ray Hastings proposed a national network of trial gardens where new, unsold flower and vegetable varieties could be tested in various climates by impartial, volunteer horticultural experts. He presented his proposal to the Southern Seedsman’s Association, his idea took root, and All-America Selections was established. Hastings guided AAS, serving as Executive Secretary, from 1932 to 1971.
With more than 85 years and almost that many trial grounds, AAS continues as the oldest, most established, international organization testing ornamentals, edibles and herbaceous perennials in North America. In fact, Europe’s Fleuroselect and Japan Flower Selections duplicated the successful AAS model for their respective regions.
After more than 30 years in one office space, AAS recently moved into a more modern, updated building.
The new address is: 5201 Walnut Ave, Suite 3, Downers Grove, IL 60515. The phone number is630.963.0770
All-America Selections and National Garden Bureau will host an Open House at the new facility July 27, from 2-5 p.m. Please RSVP by emailing Diane Blazek.
All-America Selections also has released its 2016-2017 Annual Report reflecting the group’s activities over the past 12-18 months.
This Annual Report can be downloaded from the AAS website here.
Also in 2017, AAS has welcomed three new directors to the board. They are:
- Chelsey Lenczyk, Bejo Seeds
- Vaughn Fletcher, Fletcher Consulting
- Jessie Liebenguth, Reiman Gardens
For more information on the organization, please visit aaswinners.org.
Videos
