Horticulture therapy in action | City Green Inc.
National Garden Bureau, along with program sponsors American Meadows, Ball Horticultural Company, and Sakata Seed America, has announced the five therapeutic gardens receiving grants totaling more than $7,500.
For more than a decade, National Garden Bureau has provided much-needed resources for worthy therapeutic gardens. This funding allows these gardens to continue and expand their good work for deserving clients.
After a two-week online voting period, the public has named the five winning gardens:
1. City Green Inc. of Clifton, NJ
First Place; winner of a $3,000 grant.
City Green is a 501(c)3 non-profit farming and gardening organization, based in Clifton, NJ. Its programs offer practical, technical, and financial resources to foster equitable access to local food and green spaces, in support of sustainable, healthy communities. Its Therapeutic Horticulture Program offers therapeutic and vocational opportunities for special populations, including local transition services programs and older adult centers.
2. Hope Grows Healing Garden of Pittsburgh, PA
Runner-Up; winner of a $1,500 grant.
Hope Grows’ mission is to inspire hope through nature while empowering family caregivers to seek wellness of mind, body, and spirit. Its therapeutic landscapes are thoughtfully designed as havens of tranquility, inspiration, reflection, and healing for the invaluable family caregivers in the community.
3. Frelinghuysen Arboretum Hort Therapy of Morristown, NJ
Runner-Up; winner of a $1,000 grant.
The Frelinghuysen Arboretum horticulture therapy garden is a series of raised beds for wheelchair accessibility plus 24 raised beds for individuals to have their own garden areas. The site grows annuals, perennials, vegetables, and herbs through several different programs that participants can experience. Interns from local schools help maintain the gardens.
4. Gospel Inc. Healing Haven of Lakeland, FL
Runner-Up; winner of a $1,000 grant.
Gospel Inc. is a Christ-centered community providing a home and micro-enterprise work opportunity to the formerly homeless at Gospel Village. The “Healing Haven” project aims to create a therapeutic garden designed to promote mental health, physical well-being, and community engagement in their local area.
5. Wayside House Healing Garden of Delray Beach, FL
Runner-Up; winner of a $1,000 grant.
Wayside House is a women’s addiction treatment center founded 50 years ago by Susan B. Anthony, great-niece of the women’s rights advocate.
The garden is an integral part of a full-circle horticulture therapy and nutrition program. The clients grow vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees in raised beds as part of their ongoing therapy.
Additional details about each garden can be found on the NGB website. National Garden Bureau, American Meadows, Ball Horticultural Company, and Sakata Seed America would like to recognize all grant applicants that participated this year. All are listed on the NGB website. NGB encourages support of these and other therapeutic gardens by industry, local communities, and individuals.
Judges for the Therapeutic Garden Grant Program
The judges who read all the applications and narrowed them down to the five finalists deserve are:
- Patty Cassidy – Vice President of the American Horticultural Therapy Association
- Isabel Fuenzalida – Culture & Organizational Development, Sakata Seed America
- Alicia Green – Buehler Enabling Garden Coordinator, Chicago Botanic Garden
- Mark Gross – Corporate Giving, Ball Horticultural Company
- Nancy Ketchmark – Owner, Flowers Contained
- Barbara Kreski – Retired Director, Horticultural Therapy, Chicago Botanic Garden
- Mike Lizotte – Owner/Managing Partner at American Meadows
For more information about National Garden Bureau, please contact Diane Blazek.
