Laura DePrado, horticultural therapist and owner of Final Touch Plantscaping, LLC in Branchburg, is the recipient of the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association 2015 Distinguished Service Award. ​

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes the contributions of an individual or organization that has given generously of their time and resources to support and grow the horticulture industry in New Jersey.

“I am honored and grateful to the NJNLA for this award,” DePrado said. “The support of the NJNLA in raising awareness about Horticultural Therapy cannot be measured.”

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The New Leaf Gardeners Horticultural Vocational program at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital in Ewing Township supports recovery from mental illness. (Photo: ~Courtesy of Lauren DePrado)

The New Leaf Gardener Program is one of several therapeutic and vocational training opportunities available to clients at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital.

The New Leaf Gardeners Horticultural Vocational program at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital in Ewing Township supports recovery from mental illness, improves outlook and life satisfaction, helps clients to cope with and recover from stress, improves concentration and sense of accomplishment. Evidenced-based research demonstrates that simply viewing plants has been shown to reduce fear, anger, blood pressure and muscle tension.

The New Leaf Gardener Program (NLG) is one of several therapeutic and vocational training opportunities available to clients at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital. This specific program began in 2011, but the tradition of gardening at the hospital goes back before World War I and even the Civil War.

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Spirit of Giving is Ceremony Theme

Immediate Release: November 30, 2015
Contact: Lynne Richmond
(609) 633-2954
lynne.richmond@ag.state.nj.us

(WHITE TOWNSHIP) – As part of the Christie Administration’s fifth annual ‘Season of Service’ initiative, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher today cut a Christmas tree at Wyckoff’s Tree Farm in White Township, Warren County, ceremonially kicking off the choose and cut Christmas tree season. Secretary Fisher also thanked growers for their generosity in participating in a new program, “Christmas Trees for New Jersey Military Families.”

Governor Christie proclaimed November 30 as Jersey Grown Christmas Tree Day, encouraging New Jersey residents to support the state’s farmers and visit choose and cut Christmas tree farms, as well as showing appreciation of our military during the holiday season.

“As we enter our ‘fourth’ season of New Jersey agritourism, we encourage people to visit choose and cut Christmas tree farms to find their perfect tree and enjoy the experience with their families, making lasting memories,” said Secretary Fisher.  “This also is a time of giving, so we applaud the Christmas tree growers for their generosity and hope state residents will remember to help those in need this holiday season.” (more…)