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Encyclopedia of Food and Agricultural Ethics pp 1–6Cite as

Horticultural Therapy

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Synonyms

Garden therapy; Social horticulture; Therapeutic horticulture; Vocational horticulture

Introduction

Horticultural therapy is the practice of using horticultural activities for human healing and rehabilitation. Reference to the healing power of gardens and nature can be found as far back as ancient Greek times and through to recent times. In the United States, earliest articles published regarding the value of horticulture and gardening to human health are from the 1800s.

This entry will present the historical background of the profession of horticultural therapy in the United States, mention the key people in establishing the profession, define horticultural therapy, review the theoretical framework, and consider the future of the profession.

History

Treatment, rehabilitation, and/or residential care of individuals with disabilities during the 1800s up to around the 1950s often relied on agriculture as a major part of the facility. However, the farm was important for providing...

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kansas State University, 2021 Throckmorton, 66506, Manhattan, KS, USA

    Dr. Candice Shoemaker

Authors
  1. Dr. Candice Shoemaker
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Candice Shoemaker .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Michigan State University Dept. Philosophy, East Lansing, Michigan, USA

    Paul B. Thompson

  2. University of North Texas Dept. Philosophy & Religion Studies, Denton, Texas, USA

    David M. Kaplan

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Shoemaker, C. (2014). Horticultural Therapy. In: Thompson, P., Kaplan, D. (eds) Encyclopedia of Food and Agricultural Ethics. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6167-4_103-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6167-4_103-2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-6167-4

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