Horticultural Therapy

"I want to be on record as believing strongly in this program of training in horticultural therapy.  It is one type of what we call adjunctive therapy which brings the individual close to the soil, close to mother nature, close to beauty, close to the mystery of growth and development.  It is one of the simple ways to make a cooperative deal with nature for a prompt reward."      Dr. Karl Menninger

What is a horticultural therapist?

A horticultural therapist is a trained professional who uses horticulture, nature, and plant-related activities to assist in the therapy and/or habilitation of people with special needs.  Horticultural therapists should have the following qualifications:

• Compassion and desire to work with people.
• Patience in helping others.
• Knowledge of the skills and practices of modern horticulture and the ability to transmit this knowledge to others.
• Resourcefulness in developing new approaches and innovative projects involving people and plants.
• Self-knowledge and confidence.
• The ability to work closely with other professionals toward a common benefit of the consumer or patient.

What is horticultural therapy?

Horticultural therapy is a process directed by a horticultural therapist using flowers, fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants to provide people with social, psychological, physical and intellectual benefits.

Careers

Horticultural therapy job opportunities are plentiful and are available in the United States and internationally, with competitive salaries.

The following list is representative of horticultural therapy sites of employment:

Arboreta and botanic gardens
Community gardens
Community mental health centers
Corporate gardens
Correctional facilities
Cooperative extension services
City parks and recreation departments
Extended care facilities
Farmers markets
Horticultural industries
Medical hospitals
Peace Corps and international agencies
Physical rehabilitation medical centers
Psychiatric hospitals
Public school gardening programs
Retirement communities
Substance abuse programs
Special education schools
Universities and colleges
VA medical centers
Vocational training centers
Zoo horticulture departments

Horticultural therapy program graduates are able to establish private consulting services to work with the programs identified above.

Students and faculty

Horticulture faculty are dedicated to providing the best education possible and are experienced in their disciplines.  Faculty have experience from across the United States and internationally.  Teaching and research are coordinated with a strong extension program.

Advising is a major emphasis in horticulture.  A department faculty member assists each student in determining a program of study that fits the student's interests and needs.  

The K-State chapter of the American Horticultural Therapy Association provides opportunities for interactions among students, faculty, and professional horticultural therapists.  This chapter sponsors fund-raising projects; provides horticultural therapy experiences for members; and schedules recreational and social functions, field trips, and guest speakers from the horticultural therapy profession.

For information, submit inquiries regarding the horticultural therapy program to Diana Edmonds, Department of Horticulture, Forestry, and Recreation Resources, Kansas State University, 1028 Throckmorton Plant Sciences Center, Manhattan, KS 66506-5506. 785-532-6923, e-mail: dedmonds@oznet.ksu.edu

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