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National Horticultural Therapy Week

March 18th - 24th, 2018

Each year, AHTA coordinates the efforts of regional networking groups, affiliated HT programs, and AHTA members to collaborate in celebrating the profession on a national and local level. By hosting a variety of special events or activities, we're able to collectively elevate recognition and appreciation for our programs and our profession.

Events and News:

Here are some activities this year:

North Carolina recognizes Horticultural Therapy Week

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signs proclamation recognizing March 18-24, 2018 as Horticultural Therapy Week. Members will continue efforts to proclaim this annually.   

New Jersey celebrates National Horticultural Therapy Week

  • Peaceful Planting workshop photos
  • New Jersey passes a bill making the third week of March National Horticultural Therapy Week

Earthtones NW in Portland, OR Celebrate National Horticultural Therapy Week

Horticultural and music therapists from Earthtones NW in Portland, OR will be celebrating National Horticultural Therapy Week in Portland, OR during the week of March 18-24. Above the offices of Earthtones is a popular and busy coffeehouse where many community members and groups gather each day.  A display describing horticultural therapy and AHTA will be in a prominent location enhanced with a spring flower arrangement and a basket of free seed packets for all to take to begin their new gardens. TaborSpace has graciously provided us the location and Portland Nursery donated the many seed packets. We are looking forward to spreading the good word about horticultural therapy and its important role in peoples’ lives.  

Brother International Corporation Bridgewater Celebrate National Horticultural Therapy Week

Brother International Corporation Bridgewater employees celebrated Horticultural Therapy Week early as they explored wellness alternatives in a Lunch-n-Learn Workshop February 28th as they learned about the use of plants for social, physical and psychological well-being through Horticultural Therapy. Participants connected and engaged with plant materials while creating hands-on projects in purpose and meaning. The workshop was guided by Horticultural Therapist Laura DePrado of Final Touch Plantscaping, LLC.

A.G. Rhodes Health & Rehab in Atlanta, GA Celebrate National Horticultural Therapy Week

Today was the official opening and dedication of our third horticultural therapy greenhouse at A.G. Rhodes Health & Rehab in Atlanta.  We have three buildings in the Atlanta area.

Persons Receiving Services (PRS) at Belmont Hospital Northwest Celebrate National Horticultural Therapy Week

To celebrate HT week and bring awareness about HT, The PRS (persons receiving services) at Belmont Hospital Northeast created "seed bomb" packages to giveaway. The packages, made from recycled brown paper bags, were placed in spots throughout the facility, for patrons to pick up and take with them with instructions to throw the bomb on neglected land throughout Philadelphia in hopes to create something beautiful.

     

Here are some previous activities that were planned by AHTA members:

Susan Morgan, of The Horticultural Link, LLC

  • gave a presentation to the community of Coppell, Texas promoting horticulture as a therapeutic activity and on "purposeful plants."
  • held a garden dedication ceremony with clients, staff and family members at Arden Courts of Richardson, a memory care community.
  •  blogged every day on a variety of topics in honor of Horticultural Therapy Week and featured guests posts by Leslie Fleming, HTR. Leslie's Guided Imagery post was republished by the Michigan Horticultural Therapy Association.

Perkins School for the Blind Celebrated National Horticultural Therapy Week

  • showcased the educational and therapeutic power of plants at a spring-themed open house for students
  • students transplanted small flowers into pots and planted cat grass seed while older students created colorful greeting cards to be sent to local assisted living facilities
  • visitors enjoyed refreshments, including lavender lemonade and vegetable dip made with herbs harvested from the student garden

Lee Shahay, of the Francis E. Parker Home, Highland Park, NJ

  • working with elders in the assisted living home, Lee discussed Snow Drops, the earliest bloom of the Spring Season, in honor of National Horticultural Therapy Week. 
  • started seeds for a variety of early vegetables including lettuce, Swiss Chard and other leafy greens.

Laura DePrado, HTR,  MaryAnne McMillan, HTR,  and Jean D'Amore, HTR

  • spread the word at the New Jersey Statehouse with a display featuring information about AHTA and horticultural therapy. New Jersey has designated the third week of March as Horticultural Therapy Week

University of Tennessee

  • UT's Education Director worked with several groups and lead programming at Clarity Pointe Knoxville as well as worked with high school students from Tennessee School for the Deaf

Maureen Regan

  • celebrated National Horticultural Therapy Week with her high schoolers repotting seedlings

By hosting a variety of special events or activities, we're able to collectively elevate recognition and appreciation for our programs and our profession. This spring, set aside time to refocus, refresh, and reconnect with your wonderful horticultural therapy colleagues and worthy professional ideals. Take a moment to share with your colleagues all that you are doing --as an individual and as a professional-- to encourage others to help expand and elevate horticultural therapy as a profession. Let us know how you celebrated National Horticultural Therapy Week by emailing info@ahta.org.