Ep. 81: Horticultural Therapy Defined

Laura DePrado has achieved numerous awards locally and nationally for her work in horticultural therapy. What is that you ask? Listen in as DePrado defines what horticultural therapy is, what it's benefits are, where it is practiced, how it differs from "garden therapy," the types of training needed to become a Horticultural Therapist and legislation to promote awareness and benefits of horticultural therapy. DePrado is a horticultural Specialist and Horticultural Therapy Practitioner and founder, owner of Final Touch Plantscaping, LLC, Branchburg in Somerset County, N.J., specializing in connecting people and plants through customized activities and programs from children through seniors throughout New Jersey. She is a featured Horticultural Therapy columnist for Gannett Publishing, mycentraljersey.com, Courier News, Home News Tribune and Asbury Park Press, and writer for state and local magazines. Laura has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism, and Horticultural Therapy Certificate from Rutgers University. She is the 2013 recipient of the American Horticultural Therapy Association, 2013 Alice Burlingame Humanitarian Award for work which achieved national recognition as the cover feature for Turf Magazine in May 2013, and in the November edition of Edible Jersey Magazine, "Swords to Plowshares". Edible Jersey Magazine describes DePrado "as a pioneer in the "burgeoning movement" of Horticultural Therapy. Her efforts of impact in connecting people and plants have resulted in the 2013 and 2014 Horticultural Therapy Resolutions passed by the New Jersey agricultural delegates from all 21 counties at the 98th and 99th Agricultural Convention in Atlantic City. For more information, visit www.finaltouchplantscaping.com.