Therapeutic GardeningPlan of Work

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Pulaski County CES

Title:
Therapeutic Gardening
MAP:
Promoting Health Homes and Communities
Agents Involved:
Wilson
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Nutrition and Food Systems General
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Community Gardens and Horticulture Therapy
Situation:

Therapeutic gardening is the cultivation of plants to promote a healing environment, receive mental and physical health benefits, and increase well-being (American Horticultural Therapy Association).  Settings for these gardens include private and public schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities, prisons, mental health care facilities, community gardens, and vocational rehabilitation programs.

Several gardens in Pulaski Co could be called therapy gardens. Master Gardeners and the horticulture agent work and do programs at the Children's Garden at the local library, a cancer center garden, and in many other areas in Somerset. A butterfly garden is planned for a local nursing home.

In 2018, Sky Hope Rehabilitation Center opened. It is a 100-bed facility for women with drug addictions. In 2019, a vegetable garden was established at the center.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Improve people's physical and mental health. Be able to provide some of your own food

Intermediate Outcomes:

Benefits from gardening or being in a garden are physical, cognitive, social, and psychological:

Initial Outcomes:

Learn the basics of gardening. Learn to notice things in the garden.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Take care of the garden at the rehab center. Follow a watering and fertilizing schedule

Indicator: 

Method: various in-person programs

Timeline: throughout the year


Intermediate Outcome: Improve one's well-being

Indicator: eventual graduation from the center

Method: communicate with center employees 

Timeline: throughout the year


Long-term Outcome:

Indicator:

Method:

Timeline:

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: residents at various centers

Project or Activity: in-person activities

Content or Curriculum:the garden itself, powerpoints

Inputs: Master Gardeners, UK publications

Date: throughout the year


Audience: children

Project or Activity: various activities at Children's Garden

Content or Curriculum: the garden itself, JMG material

Inputs: Master Gardeners

Date:throughout year


Audience:

Project or Activity:

Content or Curriculum:

Inputs:

Date:



Success Stories

Raised Beds with Sunrise: An Entire Office Effort

Author: Trent Adkins

Major Program: Community Gardens and Horticulture Therapy

It is no secret that gardening and other home horticulture activities can serve as a great outlet for individuals with disabilities, mental health difficulties and behavioral issues.  The Sunrise Children’s Program Cumberland Adventure Program (CAP), is located in Bronston, KY.  The Cumberland Adventure Program uses therapeutic outdoor adventures experiences and clinical intervention to assist boys who suffer from behavioral or emotional issues. Many of the boys come from backgro

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