According to the American Horticultural Therapy Association, horticultural therapy (HT) is a time-proven practice. The therapeutic benefits of garden environments have been documented since ancient times. In the 19th century, Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and recognized as the “Father of American Psychiatry,” was first to document the positive effect working in the garden had on individuals with mental illness.
Horticultural Therapy techniques are employed to assist participants in learning new skills or regaining those that were lost. A therapeutic garden is a plant-dominated environment purposefully designed to facilitate interaction with the healing elements of nature. There are many sub-types of therapeutic gardens including healing gardens, enabling gardens, rehabilitation gardens, and restorative gardens.
National Garden Bureau and Sakata Seed America are now accepting applications from therapeutic gardens that meet the following criteria:
- Have a defined program using the garden to further particular goals for participants led by a qualified leader. Examples include horticultural therapy, occupational, physical, vocational or rehabilitation therapy in a garden setting. Or using gardening to promote positive social relationships within a community.
- Offer a nature experience/interface for the population served, including, but not limited to veterans, special-needs children or young adults, the elderly and/or those recuperating from specific injuries or addictions.
- Used for job-training, skill-building, or food growing for at-risk youth, veterans, or the elderly.
- Involve a large number of gardeners, clients, patients, visitors or students on a monthly basis.
Panel of horticulture therapy experts
In July/August, a group of horticulture therapy experts will narrow down applications to three finalists. Those three finalists will then submit a one-minute video that will be posted on www.ngb.org. All involved parties will solicit feedback from the public, using social media, to vote on the garden they wish to receive the grants. The top vote-getter will receive $3,000, second and third place will receive $1,000 each.
The panel of experts to determine the three garden finalists are:
- Patty Cassidy, Registered Horticultural Therapist, American Horticultural Therapy Association board member, and secretary
- Barbara Kreski, Director, Horticultural Therapy Services, Chicago Botanic Garden
- Julie Tracy, President, Julie+Michael Tracy Family Foundation/Growing Solutions Farm
- Heather Kibble, President, National Garden Bureau, Home Garden Vegetables Division Manager, Sakata Seed America
For more information
National Garden Bureau
Diane Blazek
Executive Director