Iowa State Horticultural Society ( not ISU)The Iowa State Horticultural Society (ISHS) was founded in 1866 for the purpose of promoting and encouraging horticulture and its related interests in Iowa through the collection/dissemination of information concerning production, marketing, and utilization of horticultural crops. The Iowa Code of Law states support for the ISHS from the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). The ISHS is involved in promoting the horticulture industry as a means of diversifying agriculture in Iowa.
ISHS also supports many commercial, noncommercial, and avocational interest groups throughout the state. The Iowa State Horticultural Society (also known as the Hort Society, The Society, Iowa Hort Society, and Iowa Horticultural Society) currently serves as an umbrella organization for 27 affiliated horticulture organizations (three are also umbrella organizations) that represent and promote specific sectors of horticulture. They are the Des Moines Botanical Center, Federated Garden Clubs of Iowa, The Gardeners of America/Mid American Region, Iowa Alliance of Environmental Concerns, Iowa Arboretum, Iowa Arborists Association, Iowa Bonsai Association, Iowa Christmas Tree Growers Association, Iowa Horticulture Community Colleges, Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Iowa Golf Course Superintendents Association, Iowa Wine Growers Association, Iowa Honey Producers Association, Iowa Master Gardeners Association, Iowa Irrigation Association, Iowa Nursery & Landscape Association, Iowa Nut Growers Association, Iowa Professional Lawn Care Association, Iowa Regional Lily Society, Iowa Sports Turf Managers Association, Iowa State University Horticulture Club, Iowa Turfgrass Institute, Iowa Woodland Owners Association, Irises Across Iowa, Reiman Gardens, and the Society of Iowa Florists and Growers. The ISHS also supports and promotes Iowa State University Horticulture (and sister ISU related Agriculture Departments), Iowa State University Extension, the community college horticulture departments of Iowa, and the Iowa Horticulture industry in general. The ISHS and Iowa State University have a long 145 + year history of mutual support. The ISHS can trace its very beginnings to Iowa State University Horticulture; with many of the original founders coming from administration of Iowa State University. In an ironic horticulture twist of names; a Dr. Weed was elected the first president of the Iowa State Horticultural Society. Dr. James Weed of Muscatine took office shortly after the Amercian Civil War concluded.