Behlings inducted to Florists Hall of Fame

Flowers, it seems, have a way of opening many doors and that has certainly been the case for Jenny Behlings, owner of Jenny’s Floral in Custer. Behlings learned last week that the door to the S.D. Florists Hall of Fame has been opened to her and she is being inducted into that elite company.  
Behlings was nominated in a two- page letter written by Jenny’s Floral store manager Carrie Moore, who said, “From decorating at the White House to emceeing one-day floral events around the country and even speaking to students for senior projects, Jenny has told me numerous times that she has been able to do and see wonderful things—all because of her career.”
Moore’s nomination was bolstered by letters from friends and colleagues, some of whom are nationally and even internationally recognized.
For instance, floral designer, educator and presenter Joyce Mason-Monheim of Tucson, Ariz., wrote: “Jenny’s professionalism and knowledge leads the floral industry in a positive direction and her kindness and compassion is felt with everyone she comes in contact with.”
J. Robbin Yelverton, chairperson of the Professional Floral Communicators International (PFCI), of which Behlings is a member, wrote: “I have had the pleasure of knowing Jenny for several years and I don’t have to tell you; she is an amazing woman. Besides her obvious skills as an American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD)-accredited member, and her ‘take charge and get it done’ attitude on any committee she sits on, she is also a knowledgeable and talented floral ambassador.”
Long-time friend Ilene Gilbertson, owner of Flowers on Main in Brookings, said in her nomination letter, “For many years she has been a great support to the S.D. Florist Association (SDFA). She has held several offices including president. She has been there to help promote our organization.”
As a past president of the SDFA, Behlings said she thought induction to the organization’s Hall of Fame might come someday, but was shocked to receive the honor now.
Since she was a member of the association when the Hall of Fame was founded, she feels like she’s too young to be included.
“It’s a huge honor to be a part of that and be recognized by your peers in our region and our state,” said Behlings, “because I’m very proud of living in South Dakota and being a part of our state association. Definitely my career has taken me places I never thought I’d get to go.”
One of those places her career and industry connections have taken her is the White House where she and a florist friend from Chamberlain got to help decorate for Halloween during the Obama administration.
Behlings said the trip had been on her “bucket list” for some time and turned out to be the experience of a lifetime. It came as part of her association with the AIFD and was dropped on her with only about a two-week window of time to make travel and lodging arrangements.
Staying with a friend who was living in D.C. only a few blocks from the White House, Behlings  spent three days helping construct, among other things, two large “scary, but not-too-scary” trees on the south portico of the People’s House.
Behlings got to see the president’s dogs, watch as a PBS crew shot a documentary about the White House, help with preparations for Christmas decorating, watch Marine One (the presidential helicopter) land on the grounds and even spend some time just relaxing on the south lawn.
Behlings said many of the opportunities she has had have come through her involvement with the SDFA, one of the most active associations in the nation.
That association has also led to her joining other organizations which have opened even more doors. In 2011-12 she earned membership in the American Academy of Floriculture, PFCI and the AIFD. Behlings said the competition to become an AIFD member is fierce and out of 150 florists who test annually only 18-20 actually pass. Behlings is chairman of PFCI.
Being part of those organizations has given Behlings the opportunity to get to know many influential people in the flower world and to teach hundreds of others her craft.
Behlings is the 19th person to be inducted into the hall of fame. Her name went on a plaque presented at the annual SDFA convention in Flandreau. Due to prior work obligations, she was not able to accept the plaque in person.
Behlings will receive a personal plaque for her to keep which she hopes to pick up around Oct. 1 when she presents some programs at South Dakota State University in Brookings. Behlings will teach two labs on floral design to horticulture students at the university.
As a resident of Custer since 1980 when she moved here as a high school junior, Behlings is committed to her community as seen by her many involvements in civic affairs outlined in Moore’s nomination letter:
“She was named the Black Hills Community Economic Development’s Small Business of the Year in 2009, the Custer Chamber’s Individual of the Year in 1999 and in 2017 she won the Yellow Rose Award from Zonta of the Southern Black Hills. Jenny has also won awards from the local American Legion and VFW for her support of veterans and even has an honorary FFA degree in appreciation for her dedication to the organization.”