Horticulture as Therapy
Christine Coker
pp State University,
y Coastal Research and Extension Center,
Mississippi
1815 Popps Ferry Road, Biloxi, MS 39532
ccoker@ra.msstate.edu
Horticulture has traditionally been defined as the
production of specific
specific, high-value plants for the
commercial market and the subsequent services
related to the installation and maintenance of
landscape plants. (Relf, 1992).
What began as an invitation to help the
Center’ss clients plant flowers in
Center
containers has grown to become a
quarterly programming opportunity.
Programs now include container
gardening, vegetable identification,
preparation,
ti
and
d nutrition,
t iti
as well
ll as
food hygiene.
Th process off combining
The
bi i plants
l
and
d people
l iis at the
h
core of horticulture therapy. As a treatment used in
psychiatric settings horticulture therapy programs
strive to create environments that promote and allow With this increased participation comes
several opportunities for outreach and
growth (Shapiro
and Kaplan,
for g
p
p , 1998).
study. The goal of this work is not only
to educate those citizens with mental
The Mental Health Association of Mississippi was
health concerns, but also to promote
established in 1963 as a grassroots organization to
cognitive, physical, psychological, and
serve the mental health needs of the citizens of
Harrison County,
County MS.
MS As an advocacy agency giving social functioning.
voice to the mental health needs of the community,
the Association now serves clientele in 3 coastal
counties. One of the Association’s services is the
Opal Smith Day Support Center which provides
ti
l social,
i l and
d work
k skills
kill training
t i i
recreational,
opportunities for persons with a mental illness or
experiencing homelessness .
Relf, P.D. 1992. Human issues in horticulture. HortTechnology
2(2): 159-171
159 171.
Shapiro, B.A. and M.J. Kaplan. 1998. People-plant relationship
In: S.P. Simson and M.C. Straus (Eds.)Horticulture as Therapy:
principles and practices. New York, Food Products Press. pp.
157-197.