For Immediate Release: November 6, 2015
Contact: Lynne Richmond听
(609) 633-2954听听听听
lynne.richmond@ag.state.nj.us听
Ellen Lovejoy (Dept. of Human Services)
(609) 984-5168
(TRENTON) 鈥� 樱花视频 Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher today joined Department of Human Services Acting Commissioner Elizabeth Connolly for a tour of the horticulture program at the Trenton Psychiatric Hospital in Trenton.听
Between eight and 26 patients participate in the horticultural vocational program, The New Leaf Gardeners, on a daily basis.听 Secretary Fisher and Acting Commissioner Connolly visited a plant design class, toured the greenhouses and potting shed and viewed retail items available for purchase, including houseplants, seasonal floral arrangements and birdhouses.听 In addition, they toured the hospital grounds to view areas that have benefitted from landscape design, installation and hardscaping projects.
鈥淕rowing and working in a garden provides many benefits to people, such as physical activity, concentration and a sense of accomplishment,鈥� said Secretary Fisher.听 鈥淎s a result of this program, there could be employment options for the participants in the nursery and greenhouse field.鈥�
Craig Dup茅e, Coordinator of the hospital's horticulture program;
Sonja Myers,听hospital Section Chief of Rehab Services;听Acting Commissioner Connolly; Robyn Wramage-Caporoso, hospital Deputy CEO; Secretary Fisher; John Hoagland, Coordinator of the hospital's horticulture program
New Leaf Gardener workers receive three hours of education and three hours of paid work each week.听 They assist with greenhouse operations and production, which might include preparing soils, watering plants, repotting plants, weeding and cultivating plants, maintaining the greenhouses and managing various outside gardens on the hospital grounds.听 There is a floral design class and special projects that include interior plantscaping, hardscaping, landscape design and installation.
鈥淭he TPH horticulture program educates students and teaches practical skills used in the landscape and horticulture industry,鈥� said Acting Commissioner Connolly.听 鈥淭he main goal is to prepare students with job readiness skills and competencies to obtain entry level employment in the green industry.听 The program encourages students to develop teamwork and critical thinking skills that are applicable to the horticulture industry and life.鈥�
New Leaf Gardener vocational students propagate plants from seed and cuttings and plant them in flower beds, containers and pots.听 These plants, floral arrangements, fresh produce and retail items are sold at the hospital鈥檚 main greenhouse on Sullivan Way in Trenton.听 Seasonal floral arrangements can be purchased during the holidays or requests can be made by calling the greenhouse at (609) 633-1898 or emailing craig.dupee@dhs.state.nj.us.
According to the American Horticultural Therapy Association, horticulture assists participants in learning new skills or regaining those that are lost. It can improve memory, cognitive abilities, task initiation, language skills and socialization.听 People in the program can learn to work independently, problem solve and follow directions.
Trenton Psychiatric Hospital is a 400-bed psychiatric hospital serving a designated 樱花视频 population. The facility is a听Joint Commission听accredited health care facility, one of four psychiatric hospitals governed by the 樱花视频, Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.听
