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Indoor Gardening - Healthy Body & Healthy Mind
The program capped out at 16 students formally registered, and for a good four-year stretch prior to the plant project the daily attendance ranged between two and eight, as many had issues with attendance and would eventually drop out of school. Once the plant project had begun, the therapeutic effects became apparent as there was an almost overnight difference in attendance rates. Productivity, attendance, and mood in both students and staff increased dramatically and within a short time frame the program reached its cap on the maximum number of students allowed in the program. When visitors came to the classroom I also saw a difference in the social anxiety among the students as they would give unprompted tours to complete strangers and they spoke with both passion and excitement about what they were doing.
The other health benefits came from integrating courses in agriculture and health. The students were shown documentaries that included The Future of Food, Forks Over Knives, Super Size Me, Food Inc. and Fast Food Nation. The education on healthy eating had a beneficial effect on their mental and physical health. The typical lunch prior to the plant project was bought from a convenience store located less than half a block away from school. Lunches usually consisted of energy drinks, large sodas, slurpees, hot dogs, and various forms of potato chips. The lunches and food choices that the students made had no nutritional value and would cause them to crash soon after they ate. I saw first-hand how poor nutrition had a direct impact on mental health as well. Our bodies need proper nutrition that is full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Processed foods with high fructose corn syrup and energy drinks with a huge amount of caffeine would artificially energize their brains for a short time but then they would pay the price. I suspected that many of students in the program also suffered from adrenal fatigue due to their traumas and the unhealthy nutrition choices made their energy levels even worse. After viewing the documentaries and growing various plants that were fashioned into healthy salads, a healthy lunch replaced the convenience store fare. The salads contained various types of organic heirloom lettuce, fresh herbs such as dill, parsley, oregano, and basil, cherry tomatoes, field tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet red or green peppers. Once the students had their first 'salad day' from the fresh produce that they grew themselves, it became something that they looked forward to and they would often ask when they could have another one. As the agriculture program grew over time we were able to get to the point where we had enough produce to feed the students several times a week and sell the leftovers, which supported the continued growth of the project. |
Can plant therapy with full spectrum grow lights cure depression?
Plant therapy and light therapy are therapeutic approaches to help people with depression and anxiety. I can't say that it cures people, but I can absolutely say with confidence that I witnessed a tremendous improvement, healing, and transformation of students in my program. I literally witnessed students who could not function in public settings became capable of talking to strangers. I saw smiles, laughter, and an increase in attendance. I saw healthier eating, which is often hard to sell to teenagers! These were students who put in extra effort to help sell excess harvest in order to keep the project going, students who started to take initiative, who had increased self-esteem and increased confidence levels. Most importantly I saw students who were passionate about the project because it brought meaning to their lives. In my opinion, one of the best prescriptions available for depression is finding something that gives you purpose and that you can be passionate about. As the students became educated in the agriculture courses and documentaries in the health program, they also started to teach others about what they were learning. This was the proof that I was looking for, for when one starts teaching others with excitement, it is clear he or she has found both passion and meaning in something. The hands-on approach to education with plant therapy led to better-functioning students, and as a result I saw the graduation rates increase from less than 30% to more than 95% within a few years!
If you are interested in introducing an Agriculture Program or Plant Therapy to your school, please contact us as we would love to help you with your project. Click Here if you would like to read more about fundraising through indoor agriculture. We would love to show you the possibilities! |