Coordinator’s Column

Hello Gardeners,

I am very excited to announce that JCMGA has been awarded funding from the Rural Older Adult Mini Grant that we applied to earlier this year! This grant is through the Oregon Health Authority and its goal is to help support social engagement among isolated rural and remote older adults. I see great opportunity for gardening to fit into this grant’s goals.

Horticulture therapy is an emerging practice to use gardening for improving mental health. Hospitals have shown quicker recovery times when patients have greenery in their rooms or a window with a view of nature. There have been studies showing a boost in mood when plants are just in the room with us! Beyond making us happier, working with plants has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve memory. Horticultural therapy focuses on learning new skills, activating the senses, building social connections, and improve coordination.

Our programing funded by this grant will take place in the rural libraries of Jackson County as meeting locations. Cohorts of about 6-10 participants will meet for six weeks doing various gardening activities based on horticultural therapy ideas. Activities range from learning to grow plants indoors, creating art with plants, and using herbs for a tea party. We hope that people will form lasting connections with their groups as well as foster a love for plants.

As we age, we have to change the way we garden and enjoy our plants. This program is designed with that in mind. My grandma is a lifelong gardener but when she entered her 90’s she had to take a big step back from her outdoor plants. I helped her grow plants in containers on her porch and set her up with some indoor plants. She has been so happy to continue her lifelong love of plants in a way that is easier on her body than outdoor gardening was. I hope that people leave this program with the knowledge and skills to keep gardening and adapt the way they garden to fit their needs. I also hope participants make some new friends along the way.

Do you want to get involved?

If so, please contact me at grace.florjancic@oregonstate.edu. This new program is a short 6-month grant, so we are quickly getting this ball rolling!