Growing Gardens’ Horticultural Therapy Program serves seniors and people with disabilities in the community. The goals of the program are to increase motor, cognitive and psychological functions. This program creates social and intergenerational gardening activities and increases nutrition of participants through daily access to fresh organic produce. The program also empowers seniors and people with disabilities through experiencing the pride of successful gardening and working with others in the community to produce beautiful and bountiful gardens.

Weekly classes and activities include: garden planning, soil preparation, propagation, transplanting, container gardening and growing organic vegetable and flower starts for the home and Market. Students also participate in activities using plant material in cooking, artistic displays and crafts.

Seniors and individuals with disabilities may experience improvements in several different areas through the Horticultural Therapy Program:

Cognitive- offers new skills and/or the opportunity to regain past skills, increase attention to task and concentration, make decisions and follow directions. Physical- provides exercise focusing on both gross and fine motor skills. Psychological- gives an individual a sense of worth, promotes nurturing attitudes and taking responsibility for something. Social- increases/improves social interaction with others and working toward common goals

Our partner agencies include: The Academy, Anam Chara, Association for Community Learning, Bridges Program, Employment Link, Fraser Meadows Retirement Community, and Imagine! and Frasier Meadows Senior Center.