Michigan Horticultural Therapy Association 30th Annual Conference

1. HORTICULTURAL
THERAPY:
CONNECTING PEOPLE
AND PLANTS
The Alice W. Burlingame Memorial Chapter of the
American Horticultural Therapy Association invites you to attend its
MHTA 30TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Friday, March 7, 2008 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Horticultural Therapy as an Effective Treatment Tool
for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Abuse
SATURDAY WORKSHOP
Saturday, March 8, 2008 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Nurturing Mind, Body and Soul including Chocolate Therapy
Plant and Soil Sciences Building
Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan
The Michigan Horticultural Therapy Association is excited to present its 30th annual conference.
Mitchell Hewson, HTM, will present "Horticultural Therapy as an Effective Treatment Tool for Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Abuse.” An inspiring and dynamic speaker, Mitchell will
share first-hand experiences and practical tips from his 34 years working in psychiatry. As the first
Registered Horticultural Therapist in Canada and a Registered Aromatherapist and Landscape
Technologist, he developed and leads the country’s largest Horticultural Therapy program at
Homewood Health Centre, Inc. in Ontario. Mitchell is the author of Horticulture as Therapy: A
Practical Guide to Using Horticulture as a Therapeutic Tool, which will be available to purchase at the
conference.
This conference features a variety of break-out sessions including hands-on craft workshops,
educational displays, book sales, door prizes, networking opportunities, and an optional visit to the
MSU Indoor/Outdoor Children’s Garden. It is certain to be a positive educational experience for
everyone with an interest in horticultural therapy. American Horticultural Therapy Association
(AHTA) accreditation certificates will be available. Please join us as we continue to cultivate the
utilization of horticulture as therapy in Michigan!
Cathy Leavey, HTR, Conference Coordinator MHTA Web Site: www.mhtachapter.org

2. F RIDAY B REAKOUT S ESSIONS
BLOOMING WITH SENIORS ~ Susan Powers a.m. only
Susan will share an overview of the Village of Westland including her favorite activities and projects. This
senior residential program includes 200 apartments, two assisted living cottages on 26 acres of grounds with
raised beds, butterfly garden, rose garden, waterfall garden, and memory garden.
Susan is a Master Gardener and a Residential Living Advisor at the Village of Westland.
FRAGRANT ROSE SPA ~ Sarah Sieradzki, OTR/L ($3 material fee payable at the session) a.m. only
Learn the history and lore of roses and ways to incorporate them into your horticultural therapy program.
Participants will create three projects to take home: Restorative Rose Petal Tea, Relaxing Rose Sachet, and Skin
Smoothing Rose Bath Sachet.
Sarah is a Clinical Specialist in mental health occupational therapy with experience in special education and
mental health. She was the keynote speaker at MHTA’s 2007 conference, and we are excited to have her return
this year.
GROWING KIDS WHO GROW GARDENS ~ Staff from Blandford Nature Center & Mixed Greens a.m. only
Join us to learn how Mixed Greens offers experiential education for elementary students in gardening, cooking,
and vermicomposting in the Grand Rapids area. Program staff will share their experiences teaching children
about growing and eating local seasonal foods and the connections between food, plants, people, and the earth.
HORTICULTURAL THERAPY IN A MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY ~ Melanie Hammer, HTA, MSW a.m. only
Melanie will share her experiences at Wellstone Regional Hospital, a psychiatric hospital that includes indoor
and outdoor horticultural therapy activities.
Melanie is a graduate of the Horticultural Therapy Institute and registered with AHTA as a Horticultural
Therapy Assistant. She has a Masters in Social Work and experience working with children and adults in the
mental health setting.
SUCCULENTS IN A SHOE ~ Kate Verspoor a.m. & p.m.
Come to this session for a fun hands-on experience. Participants will design and plant succulents in a shoe and
learn how this activity can meet a variety of goals/objectives in a horticultural therapy program. Shoe provided
(or bring your own).
Kate has experience in leading activities for seniors with a focus on self-esteem and fun. She has ten years
experience working in Adult Day Care and on a Dementia and Alzheimer’s Unit in a nursing home setting.
POTLUCK PROJECTS ~ MHTA Members facilitated by Betsy Brown, HTR p.m. only
Come and see a variety of creative projects to use in your horticultural therapy program. Each presenter will
share a project, materials and cost, and how the activity can be utilized to meet goals of clients in an HT
program.
Betsy is a Horticultural Therapist Registered (HTR). She is the MHTA Membership Coordinator and works as a
Horticultural Therapist at the Michigan Home for Veterans, Porter Hills, and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health
Services.
GETTING TO THE ROOT OF HORTICULTURAL THERAPY ~ Cathy Leavey, HTR p.m. only
This is an introduction to the basics of horticultural therapy. Learn how HT is applied with persons having
special needs - the who, what, why, and how HT improves well-being!
Cathy is a Horticultural Therapist Registered (HTR) and MHTA Conference Coordinator. She works as a
Horticultural Therapist with traumatic brain injured clients at Hope Network Lansing Rehabilitation Services.
HERBOLOGY ~ Mitchell Hewson, HTM p.m. only
Come learn about the ten best herbs to use for mind, body and soul. Mitchell will also share information on
herbal teas, butters, vinegars, marinades and more. Participants will make their own sachet with fresh herbs.
Mitchell, our keynote speaker, will share his wealth of knowledge on herbs and the positive effects on our health.

3. C ONFERENCE S CHEDULE ~ F RIDAY, M ARCH 7, 2008
8:30 - 9:00 Registration Refreshments and review of displays
9:00 - 9:15 Welcome, Introductions Patti Travioli, MHTA President
9:15 - 10:45 Opening Session in Keynote Address by Mitchell Hewson, HTM
Auditorium Horticultural Therapy as an Effective Treatment Tool
for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Abuse
10:45 - 11:15 Morning Break Refreshments, displays, book sales, and networking opportunities
11:15 - 12:30 A.M. Breakout Sessions Blooming with Seniors
(choose one to attend) Fragrant Rose Spa ($3 material fee payable at the session)
Growing Kids Who Grow Gardens
Horticultural Therapy in a Mental Health Facility
Succulents in a Shoe
12:30 - 1:30 Lunch In the Conservatory (lunch included in registration fee)
1:30 - 2:45 P.M. Breakout Sessions Succulents in a Shoe
(choose one to attend) Potluck Projects
Getting to the Root of Horticultural Therapy
Herbology
2:45 - 3:15 Afternoon Break Displays, book sales, and networking opportunities
3:15 - 4:30 Closing Session in MHTA membership meeting, seedy character winners,
Auditorium door prizes, closing remarks, and special presentation
4:30 P.M. Conference Adjourns Book sales, evaluation forms, and AHTA Certificates
SATURDAY WORKSHOP
Saturday, March 8, 2008 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Nurturing Mind, Body and Soul including Chocolate Therapy
Session presented by Mitchell Hewson, HTM, keynote speaker at Friday’s conference
$45 Registration fee ~ MHTA Members only ~ Space is limited
This optional workshop will assist caregivers in learning to nurture mind, body and soul through the best
foods, health research, environment and bibliotherapy. The second part of this session will promote
wellness through the use of chocolate therapy. A great culinary experience will stimulate participants with
the sights, smells and taste of chocolate. Take home eight kinds of chocolate! This fun workshop will
teach you how to use chocolate as therapy and provide a great avenue to generate funds for your program.
8:30 - 9:00 Check–in (Room 149) Refreshments and book sales
9:00 - 10:15 Welcome, Introductions Mitchell Hewson, HTM
and Opening Session Nurturing Mind, Body and Soul
10:15 - 10:30 Break Book sales and networking opportunities
10:30 - 12:30 Second Session, Mitchell Hewson, HTM
Closing and Questions Chocolate Therapy
12:30 p.m. Adjourn Book Sales
~ Please visit MHTA’s website at www.mhtachapter.org for more details ~

4. MHTA
Lynn Van Haveren
1906 Woodlawn SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
INFORMATION INSIDE
MISCELLANY SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS
SEEDY CHARACTER CONTEST: This contest is a conference tradition – in its sixteenth year. Clients in therapeutic
horticulture programs make these characters. Entries are judged: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places receive cash prizes! For contest
guidelines, please visit our website at www.mhtachapter.org.
DISPLAYS: Do you have an exhibit that showcases the therapeutic horticulture program where you work or volunteer?
A limited number of spaces are available; please reserve a spot by checking the box on the registration form.
HORTICULTURAL THERAPY BOOKS: A variety of books, including new titles, will be for sale at the conference.
Cash or checks accepted, but credit card transactions are not available. Look this year for books at discounted prices.
LUNCH: Lunch is included in the registration fee (vegetarian option available).
AREA ACCOMMODATIONS: A block of rooms has been reserved at Towne Place Suites near MSU campus.
Reservations can be made by calling 517-203-1000 before February 22 and giving the group code “MIHO”. Rates: single
$89, double $109.
DIRECTIONS / MAP: To locate a map to the Plant and Soil Sciences Bldg., (located at Wilson and Bogue on MSU
Campus), please visit our website at www.mhtachapter.org or the MSU website at www.msu.edu/maps or contact Cathy
at leavey123@aol.com or (517) 332-1616, x238.
PARKING: The best option is the Wharton Center Parking structure one block northeast of PSSB. A limited number of
spaces are available in the lot next to PSSB. Parking is free during ANR week.

5. MICHIGAN HORTICULTURAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION
REGISTRATION FORM
Horticultural Therapy: Connecting People and Plants March 7 & 8, 2008
Name: Credentials/Title:
Address:
City: State: Zip:
Organization:
Work Address:
City: State: Zip:
Phone (day): (evening):
Email:
REGISTRATION AND MEMBERSHIP FEES
*ATTENTION MHTA NON-MEMBERS ~ Please consider joining MHTA today for an annual membership fee of
only $15. Joining today and registering as a Member costs the same as registering as a Non-Member. As a Member, you
will also receive four newsletters per year and other member benefits (please visit the website for full details).
ANNUAL CONFERENCE ~ ANNUAL CONFERENCE ~
Early Bird Registration postmarked by February 25 Regular Registration after February 25
___ $55 MHTA Member ___ $65 MHTA Member
___ $70 Non-Member* ___ $80 Non-Member*
OPTIONAL SATURDAY WORKSHOP ~ Available to MHTA members only*
___ $45 MHTA Members Only ~ Space is limited
MHTA ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP ~
___ $15 New membership (I’m joining now and registering for the conference as a MHTA Member above)
___ $15 Renew my membership
DONATION TO MHTA ~ Tax Exempt TOTAL ENCLOSED ~ $_________
___ I’d like to make a donation to MHTA of $__________
BREAKOUT SESSION PREFERENCES ~ OPTIONS ~
(information used for planning purposes only) ___ I would like the vegetarian option for lunch
AM:_________________________________ ___ I plan to bring a Seedy Character entry
PM:_________________________________ ___ I’d like to reserve space for my informative display
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY ~
___ Yes, I give MHTA permission to share my information with other members of MHTA
___ No, please do not share my membership information with other members of MHTA
Please mail this completed form and your payment (check payable to MHTA) to:
Lynn Van Haveren, 1906 Woodlawn SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 (Federal ID #382918844)
FOR MHTA USE ONLY ~ Date Received:____________________ Date $ Deposited: ____________________