Released January 29, 2009
OLATHE, Kan. -- Horticulturist Chelsey Wasem was inspired when she read the headline “Obama raises hand, lifts a nation.”
She knew, of course, that truly “lifting” the United States would require lots of hands, not just the high spirits engendered by President Obama’s inaugural oath.
But, she also knew that green and not-so-green thumbs like those of people she meets every day can and do help “lift” communities. They accomplish it in diverse and effective ways, simply through gardening.
“That kind of focus is far beyond seeing what well-selected, healthy plants can do for curb appeal,” said Wasem, who’s based in Olathe with Johnson County’s Kansas State University Research and Extension office.
Scientific research has proven plants can be “amazingly therapeutic, both mentally and physically,” she said.
For example, several studies have found that one or two mature trees and a little grass can actually make people in inner city housing projects more optimistic, less aggressive and better at decision making. Others have shown that simply walking through a garden can reduce blood pressure.
“Plants can also provide vital elements of nutrition for the human body,” the horticulturist said. “They can help conserve and even improve other natural resources, such as soil and water.”
When Wasem searched for “garden” on the Web site at http://www.volunteermatch.org, she found an array of “green thumb” opportunities. They fell into such categories as community gardens, special-needs gardens and after-school gardening programs.
“Zoos, botanical gardens and research centers are often looking for help, too,” she said. “K-State’s John C. Pair Center near Wichita, for example, has an official Hortador program for volunteers with skills ranging from carpentry and mechanics to office work and gardening.
“Many of these places are non-profits, so the ability to find free materials for recycling can be useful. So can finding cost-effective purchases, hauling supplies, getting donations, and designing irrigation systems or the like.”
Wasem added that county Extension offices are another place to investigate. Those that offer the Extension Master Gardener program, for example, also require EMG volunteer activities in the community to “pay back” for the training. Extension also is the home for such volunteer activities as the (community) PRIDE program, the Family and Community Leadership Program, and 4-H.
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http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/story/briefs012909.aspx
Contact: Elaine Edwards, elainee@ksu.edu
