Thanks to everyone who attended the       MHTA's 32nd Annual Conference and Workshop       March 12-13, 2010 Plant and Soil Sciences Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing Annual Conference ~ Horticultural Therapy: Connecting People and Plants "Restoring Hope Through Horticultural Therapy" Keynote speaker: Melanie Hammer, MSW, HTA Saturday Workshop ~ Horticultural Therapy in Action "Top Ten Activities for Every Season" Presenter: Melanie Hammer, MSW, HTA

Seedy Character Contest Rules || Map to PSSB at MSU || TownePlace Suites Hotel

The Michigan Horticultural Therapy Association (MHTA) held its 32nd annual conference, "Horticultural Therapy: Connecting People & Plants," in conjunction with Agriculture and Natural Resources Week. The keynote address, "Restoring Hope through Horticultural Therapy" was presented by Melanie Hammer, MSW, HTA, a 2005 graduate of the Horticultural Therapy Institute and Director of a horticultural therapy program, Wellstone Regional Hospital in Jeffersonville, Indiana, a 100-bed psychiatric hospital and outpatient center for children, adolescents and adults.

The MHTA conference also featured informative breakout sessions, book sales, hands-on workshops, displays, refreshments, door prizes, Seedy Character contest, and optional visit to the MSU Indoor/Outdoor Children's Garden.

This event was useful to anyone interested in learning how the people-plant interaction brings therapeutic change and improves well-being in a variety of settings. Aspects of horticultural therapy can enhance occupational and recreational therapy programs, adult day services, children's programs, school gardens, community and healing gardens, corrections, hospice, medical care/mental health and rehabilitation settings.

The Saturday Worshop Horticultural Therapy in Action" was held on March 13. Melanie Hammer, MSW, HTA, presented "Top Ten Activities for Every Season". Participants also had the opportunity to complete HT activities while simulating a physical or mental challenge. For more information, contact Cathy Flinton, HTR at 517-332-1616 x238 or Cathy@MichiganHTA.org or Kathy Carroll at Kathy@MichiganHTA.org or John Murphy at 269-345-6039.