A Turning Point: The American Rose Society & American Rose Center Chart Separate Paths
In a week that has sent ripples through the rose community, the American Rose Society and the American Rose Center announced that they will move forward as two independent organizations. The news has sparked curiosity, concern, and plenty of questions about how this decision came to be—and what it means for the future of both institutions.
To bring clarity to this pivotal moment, Teresa sits down with two leaders at the heart of the transition: Marilyn Wellan, Chairwoman of the American Rose Center, and Carrie Bergs, Vice President of the American Rose Society. Together, they offer a candid and deeply informative conversation about the origins of the separation, the motivations behind it, and the long‑term vision guiding each organization as they step into a new chapter.
Listeners will gain insight into:
•  Why the decision was made now
•  How the transition will affect members, volunteers, and visitors
•  The strategic goals each organization hopes to pursue independently
•  What this means for the broader rose‑growing community
This episode is thoughtful, transparent, and full of the kind of context that helps everyone—from longtime ARS members to casual rose lovers—understand the road ahead. It’s an essential listen for anyone invested in the future of America’s rose heritage.

Rose Chat Podcast

VanCleave Media Group

A BLOOMING FUTURE FOR ARS & ARC

DEC 14, 202558 MIN
Rose Chat Podcast

A BLOOMING FUTURE FOR ARS & ARC

DEC 14, 202558 MIN

Description

A BLOOMING FUTURE FOR ARS & ARC Carrie Bergs American Rose Society Vice President Marilyn Wellan American Rose Center Committee Chairman In a week that has sent ripples through the rose community, the American Rose Society and the American Rose Center announced that they will move forward as two independent organizations. The news has sparked curiosity, concern, and plenty of questions about how this decision came to be, and what it means for the future of both institutions. On today’s podcast, host Teresa Byington is joined by Carrie Bergs, Vice President of the American Rose Society, and Marilyn Wellan, a past president of the American Rose Society and the current Chairwoman of the American Rose Center. We’ll be chatting about the upcoming separation of the American Rose Society and the American Rose Center and the vision to ensure a strong foundation for both.   MEET THE ROSE CHAT TEAM 🎙 Executive Producer & On-Air Personality Chris VanCleave – RedneckRosarian.com Chris—aka The Redneck Rosarian—is the mastermind behind the Rose Chat Podcast. He’s a nationally known rosarian, speaker, and TV personality who believes roses are for everyone, not just folks with fancy garden gloves. Whether he's talking bloom care or thorny troublemakers, Chris brings heart, humor, and a whole lot of rose wisdom to the mic. 🎙 Content Creator & On-Air Personality Teresa Byington – TheGardenDiary.com Teresa is a Master Gardener, Consulting Rosarian, and one of the kindest garden cheerleaders you’ll ever meet. She’s been growing roses for decades and still gets excited when one bursts into bloom. With stories, tips, and a dash of garden gossip, she helps make Rose Chat feel like a visit with a good friend, who just happens to be a rose expert. Wanna Keep in Touch? We’d love to pop into your inbox now and then (we promise, no spam—just roses). Click here to subscribe to Rose Chat updates!