Horticulture Program . . . It’s not just about vegetables!
The Horticulture Therapy Project of Evergreen Elm, located at River and Elm Streets in Bradford, PA, began in the summer of 1990 as an attempt to introduce our residents to what is called “adjunctive” therapy, a therapy that brings the individual closer to the mystery of growth and development. The primary purpose of the program is to improve the physical and mental well being of our residents and staff while growing wholesome nutritious food and fostering life enrichment activities and pocket money for those persons without employment.
Vision Statement:
Our dream is to fulfill a community need while creating employment positions of our own and becoming self-sufficient through alternate sources.
Garden therapy benefits can include:
- Developing feelings of self-esteem and usefulness
- Developing specific skills such as eye/hand coordination, motor coordination, manual dexterity, spatial and numerical aptitudes, following instructions and decision-making.
- Stimulating social interaction and teamwork.
- Intellectual development.
- Productive leisure activity.
- Developing vocational options.
- Stimulating interest in one’s environment.
Community Contributions:
- Lectures on Bio-Dynamic Agriculture
- Tours of the garden
- Annual Harvest Party, open to the Public; no one goes home without some vegetables!
- Participation in the McKean County Fair
- Participation in the Bradford Farmers Market
In the year 1998 due to increased programming responsibilities and staffing shortages, the garden became overwhelming. The newly formed McKean County Biodynamics Inc. of Bradford, PA, offered to assume growing responsibilities to enable the garden to continue. The garden property is owned by Mrs. Rosalie Salerno who has graciously donated the use of the land for the last decade.
McKean County Biodynamics, Inc. was founded in 1998 upon the biodynamic system of agriculture. The non-profit corporation is dedicated to improving the environment through research, education, charitable and community works.
We support the Biodynamic method of agriculture. This method allows us to grow some of the largest, best tasting, and healthiest vegetables we’ve ever seen. While remaining ecologically responsible, the Bio-dynamic system enhances and raises the health and vitality of the soil through the use of homeopathically prepared herbs, extensive composting and the use of a planetary calendar.