Deep South Koi Society

History of Formation

Deep South Koi & Pond Society was originally formed under the name of Capital Area Pond & Water Gardening Society and was the brainchild of Sharon LaFleur, then CEO of the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging, and her assistant, Danna Stone Spayde. After attending a tour sponsored by the Louisiana Pond Society of New Orleans, they decided that Baton Rouge needed a similar organization. The Council on Aging sponsored the formation of the Society as a community service project. Danna Spayde, as Special Projects Director, was assigned the task of organizing the Society.

The group that eventually established the Society held its first meeting in June, 1993, at the home of J.R. & Louise Wiggins of Baton Rouge, whose pond had been featured in a newspaper article about pond keeping in mid-May. Twenty interested persons attended and heard a fascinating presentation by Ed Bodker, local koi farm owner. A steering committee was formed to establish the club, and monthly meetings were scheduled.

Gradually, over the next several months an official name was selected, and a Constitution and By-laws were adopted. Charter membership was offered through December, 1993, and the year closed with 33 families as Charter Members. At the December meeting these members were given a special Charter Member Recognition Certificate. The first full slate of officers took over in January, 1994, and the Society was on its way!

In January, 2006 the Society changed its name to what is now known as DEEP SOUTH KOI & POND SOCIETY.

Community Activities

In the past, the Society has participated in various community gardening activities. For example, members have an information table and recruit new members at the annual Botanical Garden Plant Sale, Louisiana Nursery Open House, Clegg's Nursery Open House, Earth Day, Hilltop Arboretum Plantfest!, and any others to which we may be invited. 

For the current list of events. Please visit our Events page (click on the All link on that page). Contact us at to participate in an event

In 1996 the Society became involved in the Metamorphosis Garden Project at Westdale Elementary School. Since that time, Society members have provided manual labor, consultation, technical assistance, and donations of plants and fish for the pond that is an integral part of this handicapped accessible butterfly, hummingbird, flower, and vegetable garden. This garden provides hands on gardening activities and learning opportunities for students and was featured on our 1999 Tour of Ponds. This Project is under the direction of a Society member who works at the school, and Society members serve on the advisory committee.

In early 1998 the Society was asked to assist with the planting, stocking, and maintenance of a pond that is a part of the Iris and Wetlands Garden of the Baton Rouge Botanic Garden. A Society representative now sits on the Botanic Garden Council, and two members were recently elected to the Board of Directors of the new Botanic Garden Foundation. Technical problems with the pump and filter system for this 4700 gallon concrete pond still need to be taken care of before the Society can begin its work of planting and stocking it.