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A Planting We Will Grow

Looking for an engaging Adult Day Care activity? Our video “A Planting We Will Grow” demonstrates the benefits of Horticultural Therapy in an Adult Day Care environment.

Horticultural Therapy: ‘Scent ability’ with herb bouquets and bundles

Laura Deprado is a Horticultural Therapist, and her article “Horticultural Therapy: ‘Scent ability’ with herb bouquets and bundles” was recently featured in https://www.mycentraljersey.com/.

August is prime time to smell, pick, snip, collect and harvest herbs that can be made into bouquets and bundles which in turn provide enjoyment and treatment for participants in horticultural therapy programs.

These herb bundles are used for all populations in horticultural therapy programs. This includes behavioral health programs for teenagers and adults with psychiatric and addiction issue, as well as older adults in memory care, sub-acute care, and day programs add clients with dementia. 

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Laura DePrado is Sworn in to the Somerset County Agricultural Development Board

Chairman Mark Kirby swears in Lauren DePardo

Laura Deprado is a Horticultural Therapist helping people across New Jersey.

August 20, 2018, Somerset County

Laura DePrado of Branchburg is Sworn in to the Somerset County Agricultural Development Board by Chairman Mark Kirby. “This is a great place of privilege to work with the Board in its mission of preserving farmland and enhancing Industry of Agriculture in Somerset County,” said DePrado

Gardening is good for you — and plant a little lavender, too

Lavender is a known healing plant dating back thousands of years.
(Photo: ~Courtesy of Laura DePrado)

Laura Deprado uses Gardening for Therapy to help people across New Jersey. Laura is a Horticultural Therapist, and her article “Gardening is good for you — and plant a little lavender, too” was recently featured in https://www.mycentraljersey.com/

Gardening is an essential part of life. People realized from the dawn of modern man thousands of years ago that plants and gardens and gardening and growing have countless benefits to medicinal application. 

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Aromatherapy in ancient Egypt has linked to today’s booming alternative medicine practices

World-renowned Therapist Mahmoud Saied of Essence of Life Al Fayed showing Horticultural Therapist Laura DePrado, President of Final Touch Plantscaping, LLC, some of many essential oils used for Aromatherapy. The great Manufacturer of perfumes, Oil of Flowers and Blends, exports 80 percent of its pure oil worldwide.
(Photo: ~Courtesy of Laura DePrado)

Laura Deprado uses Horticulture for Therapy to help people across New Jersey. Her article “Aromatherapy in ancient Egypt has linked to today’s booming alternative medicine practices” was recently featured in https://www.mycentraljersey.com/  

In 2016, the global aromatherapy market size was valued at $1.07 billion, according to an industry analysis report for 2014 to 2025 published by Grand View Research. And this lucrative growth shows no sign of stopping.  (more…)

Congratulations letter from Thomas H. Kean, Jr – New Jersey Senate


Dear Ms, DePrado

Congratulations on being recognized as a Top 25 Leading Women Brand Builder by the Leading Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners, This is extraordinary honor which acknowledges the excellence that each one of you demonstrates within your respective industries.

Being selected out of many nominations truly demonstrates how much of an inspiration you are to enterprising women both within and outside your industry. Your accomplishments reflect the enormous impact women leaders are making on New Jersey. It is an honor for me to recognize role models like you for all that you have done for both women and your communities.

Once again, congratulations on this great honor, I wish you all the best of luck in whatever your future holds.

Sincerely, 
Thomas H. Kean, Jr 
New Jersey Senate 

Where A Flower Blooms, Hope Lives For Senior

Oldwick senior Lorraine Galbraith and Horticultural Therapist, Laura DePrado, have planted together since May 2013.
(Photo: ~Courtesy of Laura DePrado)

Five years ago this month, I was connected to an isolated senior, Lorraine Galbraith, in a wheelchair, frail, living at home in Hunterdon County, and living day to day with no family in New Jersey, or friends. 

Blinds were closed. Her plants (which once thrived through the hands of her care), were all dead due to overwatering by caregivers and lack of sun. She trusted no one. She did not go outside. She did not speak and she suffered with depression.  (more…)

Horticultural Therapy Week Celebrated at Adult Day Center

Somerset County Freeholder Patricia Walsh, left, joins Laura DePrado, Sen. Kip Bateman and clients of the Adult Day Center of Somerset County in Bridgewater for a Horticultural Therapy Week celebration. The ADC has been working with Laura DePrado and Final Touch Plantscaping for the past four years. Horticulture therapy benefits the physical, emotional and social welfare of ADC clients. According to the American Horticultural Therapy Association, “HT techniques are employed to assist participants to learn new skills or regain those that are lost. HT helps improve memory, cognitive abilities, task initiation, language skills, and socialization. In physical rehabilitation, HT can help strengthen muscles and improve coordination, balance, and endurance. In vocational HT settings, people learn to work independently, problem solve, and follow directions.” The Board of Freeholders issued a Horticultural Therapy Week proclamation for March 18-24.

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Horticultural Therapy Week in NJ Celebrated at Alstede Farms​

Media Release
March 22, 2018

 
Contact Laura DePrado
908-872-8387
 

( Chester NJ) – Horticultural Therapy Week in New Jersey celebrated at Alstede Farms in Morris County on Tuesday March 20. Recognizing the benefits of the people-plant connection were New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher, Horticultural Therapist Laura DePrado, Barbara Alstede of Alstede Farms and team members, along with community leaders. 

Secretary Fisher presented Proclamation from Governor Phil ip Murphy noting “The therapeutic benefits of a garden environment to improve the quality of life of program participants, and the social, vocational and therapeutic programs that enable individuals to experience independence and achievement, increasing their sense of dignity as they increase their ability to function in various settings, such as hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and senior centers.” (more…)

Horticultural Therapy Week Blooming March 18 to 24

Horticultural therapy is a vehicle to meet wide-ranging goals, and it successfully enables and empowers individuals to achieve their maximum independence in settings such as mental health, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals including veterans, adult daycare, vocational schools, nursing homes, substance abuse rehabilitation, developmentally disabled day programs and group homes, day and residential housing for adults with autism, community and county parks, gardens and arboreta. (Photo: ~Courtesy of Laura DePrado)

It’s Horticultural Therapy Week in the Garden State to coincide with the Vernal Equinox and the beginning of spring. 

Since 2016, New Jersey has been the only state to designate the third full week in March as Horticultural Therapy Week to increase public awareness and the importance of horticultural therapy in improving the quality of life for all and increasing opportunities for each individual to experience the endless benefits of the people-plant connection.   (more…)