Norman and Glenda Balliviero receive the 2011 Medallions from LSHR President, Margo Racca.

Glenda and Norman Balliviero, former residents of Belle Chasse, were again honored by a Louisiana horticulture society. They were the recipients of the 2011 Medallions awarded by the Louisiana Society for Horticulture Research. Normally, a medallion is given to one person for their contribution to horticulture in the state of Louisiana.  This year they were both honored with medallions as they have both given so much of themselves and time to many horticulture groups. The award was made by LSHR President, Margo Racca.

Norman has been on the Board of Directors for LSHR the past three years, and Glenda will be replacing him for the next three years. They both have been very active in the Lafayette Garden Club for over 10 years. Norman designed the State Garden Club Federation’s flag with a photo of an iris taken in their own garden. Glenda has chaired the Gardens of the Month committee for nine years, plus chairing the Garden Therapy program at Evangeline Oaks Nursing Home and The Green House, the senior citizen center in Lafayette.

 They both have been very active Master Gardeners since 2000 receiving the 2009 Master Gardener International Award for Excellence for the Children’s Garden which Glenda developed and which both of them give tours to the youth of Acadiana. They have touched the lives of over 8500 children since 2003 with tours and gardening programs. Glenda says that her Aunt Rosie Machella touched her life with gardening at a young age and hopes that she will influence the lives of others.

Glenda is on the Advisory Committee for Horticulture in Lafayette Parish and does Children’s programs at the Day Lily Festival in Abbeville, Festival Des Fleurs in Lafayette and other community events.

Norman has become the photographer for both the garden club and master gardener groups of Lafayette. Recently he shot the photos for the Deep South National Garden Club Conference in Lafayette. They are both avid garden photographers and their photos have appeared on the LSU Ag Calendar for the last five years.

Glenda recently received many top awards at the Flower Show held at Vermilionville and received the honor of receiving the Arboreal Ribbon and Merit Award for Bulbs at the Deep South Convention which consisted in competition from clubs from a six state area.  

Their love of gardening is, also, portrayed in their beautiful garden which becomes the site of many tours throughout the year. They even have many orange trees which carry over their love of Plaquemines Parish.