Horticulture Is Therapy

HORTICULTURE IS THERAPYMike MaddoxHorticulture Educator, Rock Co. UW-ExtensionDirector of Education, Rotary Botanical Gardens

Horticulture

The art and science of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants

Benefits of Plants

Environmental Economic Social / personal wellness

Benefits of Plants: Wellness

Surgery Recovery Shorter post-operative stays Less use of potent drugs and better

attitudes Roger Ulrich. Texas A &M. Studies on nature and medical recovery

The Neese Memorial Rooftop Garden, Beloit Hospital

Benefits of Plants: Wellness

Lifestyle Recovery Attention fatigue restored Improved relationships and career coping

Cimprich, B. 1992. Attentional Fatigue Following Breast Cancer Surgery. Research in Nursing and Health 15, 199-207

Blackhawk Technical College, Janesville

University of Wisconsin- Rock County, Janesville

Boerner Botanical Gardens, Hales Corners

Benefits of Plants: Wellness

In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension.

Dr. Roger S. Ulrich Texas A&M University

Marathon County roadside views, Wisconsin

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Horticultural Therapy

Horticultural therapy (HT) is not only an emerging profession, it is a time-proven practice. The therapeutic benefits of peaceful garden environments have been understood since ancient times. In the 19th century, Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and considered to be the "Father of American Psychiatry," reported that garden settings held curative effects for people with mental illness.

Rehabilitative care of hospitalized war veterans in the 1940’s and 1950’s greatly expanded the practice of HT. Today, HT is recognized as a practical and viable treatment with wide-ranging benefits for people in therapeutic, vocational, and wellness programs. American Horticulture Therapy Association

Horticultural Therapy

The use of plants by a trained professional as a medically prescribed procedure through which certain clinically defined goals of a client may be met. American Horticultural Therapy Association http://www.ahta.org/

Active process

Therapeutic Horticulture

The process by which individuals may develop well-being using plants and horticulture

No professional training required! Active or passive process

Therapeutic Horticulture Plants and the

individual Measurable

physiological effects Heart rate Blood pressure Brain waves

Measurable psychological effects Stress Mood

Therapeutic Horticulture

Restorative Environments Recovery from mental fatigue Recovery from stress “Healing Gardens”

Therapeutic Horticulture

Viewing landscapes Hospital Dorm room Prison / jail Nursing home Office

Increase Tolerance to pain Attentiveness Reaction times

Decrease Hospital time Stress Violence Health complaints

Therapeutic Horticulture

Residential Gardens Creativity Relaxation Exercise Social interaction Personal satisfaction Peacefulness Leisure-time activity

Therapeutic Horticulture

Community Gardens Provide green space for neighborhood Opportunities for social interaction Improved quality of life Fresh, better tasting foods Enjoyment of nature

Therapeutic Horticulture

Children’s Gardens Improved self-esteem Stress reduction Improved nutrition Science education Environmental awareness

Therapeutic Horticulture

Nearby-by nature Increased

Property values Residential

neighborhood satisfaction

Life satisfaction Tourism Social interaction

Decreased Crime

Therapeutic Horticulture

Healing landscapes Found in treatment

settings A space to look out at A space for passive or

quasi-passive activities Can be used by

patients, visitors, and staff

Have therapeutic effects

Not for organized treatment

Therapeutic Horticulture

Healing landscape benefits Stress reduction Reduction of depression Improved quality of life Reduced pain Improved way-finding Reduced provider costs Increased patient mobility Higher patient satisfaction Increased staff job satisfaction

Rock Haven, Janesville

Therapeutic Horticulture

The process by which individuals may develop well-being using plants and horticulture

Active or passive process Benefits:

– Intellectual• Memory stimulation• Vocational skills

– Physical• Daily life skills• Sensory stimulation• Fine and gross motor

skills

– Emotional• Self worth• Nurturing

– Social• Sharing• Accepting

– Spiritual

IntellectualMemory stimulationAlph. CultivarsMeasure and layout bedsRead instruction

IntellectualVocational skillsTool usageWork ethicWorking in groupsWorking independentlyFollowing instructions

PhysicalSensory stimulation

Daily life skillsPhysical activityDietary

PhysicalFine and gross motor skillsTool usageCarrying produceWashing produceMowing and tilling

EmotionalSelf worthSelf esteemNurturingSuccess

SocialAcceptingSharingWorking together

Spiritual

Initial Program Ideas

Teach gardening to jail inmates MGV selected and hired to be garden

educators Nutrition education segment added later

In response to need to feed participants Utilize harvest in kitchen to offset meal

preparation costs County went to caterer that year; produce

not wanted by subcontractor

What Really Happened

Program evolved into reinforcing life-skills development taught in RECAP. Communication, following directions, team

work, responsibility, success, etc. Preparation for vocational placement.

Outside of green industry Diversionary activity for when released.

Reduce recidivism Produce donated to area food pantries

(80%) and other county institutions (20%)

ResultsYear # Produce Raised Distribution # Program Participants: Hours of Community Service

2006 9846 pounds totalo 5385 pounds misc.

produce donated to food pantries or utilized by county facilities

o 300+ pumpkins donated to youth fundraiser (Spotlight On Kids)

20 % to county institutions80 % to food pantries

47 Inmates o 27 Maleo 16 Femaleo 28 Whiteo 11 African Americano 1 American Indiano 3 Latino

797 hours of community service were provided by RECAP. Master Gardener Volunteer hours contributed 958 hours.

2007 7385 pounds misc. produce donated to food pantries or utilized by county facilities

o There was no pumpkin crop this season.

10% to county institutions90% to food pantries

54 Inmateso 47 Maleo 7 Femaleo 37 Whiteo 13 African Americano 4 Latino

1357 hours of community service were provided by RECAP. No hours were reported by MGVs though they were present again in 2007.

2008 4300 pounds misc. produce donated to food pantries or utilized by county facilities

(Inclement weather had a negative effect on the harvest this season)

5% to RECAP95% to food pantries

44 Inmateso 40 Maleo 4 femaleo 30 Whiteo 13 African Americano 1 American Indiano 1 Latino

744 hours of community service were provided by RECAP. In 2008, the Garden was adopted into the weekly RECAP schedule, Wednesdays, 1pm to 4pm.

Impact "Getting out of unit

and away from same four walls - keeps my mind occupied and not think of bad stuff." Steven.

“My wife and kids go to Echo [food pantry]. Even though I’m in here, I still feel like I’m providing for them.” Chip.

Impact

“I need to be a good role model for my kids… I like that the garden gives back to the community…” Chris.

“I already know how to rototill… it’s now learning how to work with others.” Gary.

Impact “… vegetable soup

really ain’t all that bad! I did not pick anything out of it and I ate it all. I would NEVER even try it had I been on the outside.” Tammy.

“There was noticeable improvement in attitude after the inmates ate the vegetable soup for lunch in the unit.” Lyle Yaun, RECAP Community Service Coordinator.

Impact “…before this, my

idea of cooking was going through the drive thru at McDonalds." John.

“…I never knew where food came from. When I get out, I want to go to culinary school at [the tech-college]." Ebert.

Impact

"I learned how to enjoy life's simple pleasures." Carlos.

“…I never had a garden before but would like to have one now that I know more.” Carl.

Therapeutic Horticulture and YOU!