Horticulture Therapy Conference and Workshop at ANR Week

Learn about the therapeutic benefits of horticulture by attending the annual conference and workshop scheduled March 7-8 during ANR week.

Two events are coming up soon as part of Agricultural and Natural Resources Week at Michigan State University. The Michigan Horticulture Therapy Association (MHTA) will hold its 35th annual conference, "Horticultural Therapy: Connecting People and Plants,” on Friday, March 7, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at MSU’s Plant and Soil Sciences Building.

The keynote address “Horticultural Therapy: A Continuum” will be presented by Nancy Chambers, Horticultural Therapist Registered (HTR), and Gwenn Fried. Chambers has more than 30 years of experience and leadership in planning and managing public horticulture programs to meet educational, vocational, social and therapeutic needs. Fried is the manager of Horticultural Therapy Services at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City where she directs one of the largest and most diverse horticultural therapy programs in the United States.

The MHTA conference features informative breakout sessions, book and product sales, hands-on workshops, displays, refreshments, door prizes and optional visit to the MSU Indoor/Outdoor Children’s Garden. This event is useful to anyone interested in learning how the people-plant interaction brings therapeutic change and improves well-being. Aspects of horticultural therapy can enhance adult day services, seniors, children’s programs, recreational therapy programs, school gardens and programs, community and healing gardens, corrections, hospice, medical care/mental health and rehabilitation settings.

Early registration fee is $60 for MHTA members and $80 for non-members (postmarked by Feb. 27). Regular registration is $70 for MHTA members and $90 for non-members. Annual membership is $20. Registration fee includes lunch (vegetarian option available). Parking is free.

On Saturday, March 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the workshop “Supportive Nature: Designing Horticultural Therapy Groups for Individuals with Dementia, Other Cognitive Challenges and Their Caregivers” will take place. In this hands-on program, Chambers and Fried will present skills and techniques for developing a horticultural therapy support group for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive challenges. Registration is $40 and includes materials and refreshments). MHTA members only (join today). Space is limited.

You can learn more about both of these events at the Michigan Horticulture Therapy Association website. For additional information, contact Cathy Flinton, HTR, at 517-332-1616 ext. 16238 or cathy@michiganhta.org.

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