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Impact Report

For plan Plant Management Systems: Urban Horticulture (Eddy County)
Date October 19, 2009, 9:02 pm
For Objective Medium-term Show medium-term objectives
Impact Report Therapeutic garden project Purpose: To use “plant parenthood” with inpatient substance abuse intervention in such a manner as to increase self-esteem and awareness. Using a community gardening approach makes this is a cooperative effort with some of the values instilled in the clients, such as Self-help, Self-responsibility; Democracy, Equality, Equity, and ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for a life form. Plants give a direct feed back as to level of care, if the care is poor they die, if the care is good they bear fruit or reward. The summer of 2009 a small pilot project, was conducted one of the results that were observed included the phenomenon of hope that gardening empowered in the clients. The thought process of putting together that a healthy environment leads to a healthy person. Producing one’s own food is a great activity in a number of ways but specifically in this project, increased exercise, increased knowledge and skills, improved diet, and the teaching of a work ethic. Gardening offers the opportunity for “teachable moments” that because of the hands on activity have tendency to stay with a client; as reported by evaluation completed by past clients. Proposed Program: Continue the pilot program with some small changes. Starting in the spring of 2010 (Late February) meet with the clientele and do basic gardening planning, how big, how much of what, and when to plant. Start working up the planting beds and plant according to the plan. Work each week with clientele on gardening skills, and those teachable moments. As we move into the harvest time we need less time in the garden so I thought of collaborating with my collogue the Eddy County Extension Home Economics agent Ms. Charley Fisher. She could come in and teach nutrition, meal planning, food preservation, and preparation of food products from the garden. We would use the same allotted time slot, which is currently on Fri 9:00 to 10:00 we could go to 11:00 when the clinical staff need us. In the fall, we would continue with the winter garden. Advantages Gardening is comparatively simple to organize and is effective with many skill levels. Weather it is simple weeding or more advanced skills all clientele have the opportunity to get involved. Both ecotherapy and cooperative working may have benefits for other groups, including intensive out patient, or those under the responsibility of probation services. Results The provision of meaningful activity within a residential substance abuse treatment facility is a constant challenge to those who run such a facility. A garden and clientele needs are very specific and bring them together in a manner which results in an activity/educational experience that promotes mental, physical and social health and welfare is an exercise in itself. Gardening has qualities that promote mental health when accomplished as a group social benefit also occurs. In addition the intrinsic hope of gardening is therapeutic to clientele which will be practiced by them when the return to a less controlled situation. This program also gives the opportunity for those who are required by the Criminal Justice System to complete e community service to accumulate hours in the community garden.