Success StoryTherapy Gardens at Sky Hope



Therapy Gardens at Sky Hope

Author: Trent Adkins

Planning Unit: Pulaski County CES

Major Program: Community Engagement

Plan of Work: Therapeutic Gardening

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Sky Hope Rehabilitation Center is a 100-bed facility for women with drug addictions.  Pulaski County has a large drug abuse problem. Gardening has been shown to have many positive effects on humans.  There are physical, cognitive, social, and psychological benefits such as improvement in self-esteem, alleviation of depression, increased strength and stamina, and decreased stress. 


Winter programs consisted of sessions on vegetable gardening, straw bale gardening, raised bed gardening, and seed starting.  Every resident received a seedling pack in which cole crops were planted. They were charged with caring for their own plants in their rooms.


In early March, the Pulaski County ANR and Horticulture Agents helped the women build three 12’ by 4’ raised beds. The women shoveled topsoil into the beds and by mid-March, the Horticulture Agent led weekly lessons and plantings outside. Lake Cumberland Master Gardeners assisted. Four straw bales were planted and herbs were planted in a wood pallet.


A core group of women were instructed on the jobs to do including weeding, watering and fertilizing, and harvesting. A rain gauge helps them in their irrigation decisions. As produce is harvested, they record the weight.


The season is currently on-going. Several women had backgrounds in gardening and were excited to get to do some while they are recovering. Others were absolutely at level zero on their knowledge. They have proved to be capable adults, working together and learning to produce successful and nutritious crops.


The Pulaski County SNAP-Ed assistant and Horticulture Agent spoke with the kitchen staff to see what could be incorporated into meals. They are not only learning about growing food but also nutrition through SNAP-Ed programs that are presented bi-weekly and/or monthly.






Stories by Trent Adkins


Tri-County Ag Program

about 2 years ago by Trent Adkins

The Casey County Extension Service was approached by a representative of Tarter Farm and Ranch Equip... Read More


Ag Field Day

about 2 years ago by Trent Adkins

Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is... Read More


Stories by Pulaski County CES


Pulaski County 4-H Embryology in the Classroom

Pulaski County 4-H Embryology in the Classroom

about 2 years ago by Erica Spurgeon

Thanks to the 2022 Kentucky 4-H Foundation Agriculture Mini-Grant Program Pulaski County 4-H was abl... Read More


KY 4-H Teen Conference 2022

KY 4-H Teen Conference 2022

about 2 years ago by Erica Spurgeon

The 98th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was held at the University of Kentucky June 14-17, 2022... Read More