1. Laura Ann DePrado, born and raised in Sussex County New Jersey, is a
Registered Horticultural Therapist, Columnist, and founder of Final Touch
Plantscaping, LLC, in Branchburg New Jersey. She specializes in connecting
people and plants through customized activities and programs fromchildren
through seniors,and has written countless articles as a columnistfor Gannett
Publishing,and freelancewriter for numerous publications. Laura has a BS in
Journalismfromthe University of Northern Texas, and Horticultural Therapy
Certificate from Rutgers University. In her last semester at Rutgers SEBS in
January 2011 Laura had a brain tumor removed. In January 2015 Laura
achieved the professional credential of “HTR”, horticultural therapist
registered by the American Horticultural Therapy Association.
Laura has infectious energy,passion for peopleand gardeningwith a purpose
and is committed to serving others through her vocation and avocation as a
business leader,Rotarian,and mentor to scouts,4Hyouth, students at Rutgers University,County Collegeof Morris,
Raritan Valley Community College. She introduced, implemented and expanded programs at the Adult Day Center
of Somerset County, Atlantic Health, Somerset County Library System, Windsor Health CareCommunities Abingdon
Care and Rehabilitation, NJFiremen’s Home, Chelsea Senior Living,Care One, Rotary District7510, Anderson House,
Rutgers NJAES and Cooperative Extension, Allies, Inc., Carrier Clinic, Groundwork Elizabeth, Community Access
Unlimited, American Horticultural Therapy Association, and the Mid Atlantic Horticultural Therapy Network. She
presented at the First Annual New Jersey Health and Wellness Expo in October 2016. She is a Friend of the NJ
Department of Agriculture. She is a longtime member and friend of NJNLA. She is a dedicated member of The 200
Club of Somerset County, Ambassador of The Somerset County Business Partnership and contributor to Sustainable
Somerset and WorkplaceWellness Committees. She is a Trustee on the NJ Agricultural Society,and 21017 member
of the Somerset County Board of Agriculture.
In October 2015 Laura was nominated to New Jersey First Lady Mary Pat Christie’s “NJ Heroes”. She received the
New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association’s 2015 “Distinguished Service Award” for expanding the
Horticultural Industry in New Jersey with Horticultural Therapy. She is a Board of Trustee of the NJ Agricultural
Society. She achieved Internship Supervisor status with the American Horticultural Therapy Association, and three-
time national presenter. She is the recipient of numerous awards including The 2013 American Horticultural
Association's Alice Burlingame Humanitarian Award, 2014 Boy Scouts of America “Toast to Scouting” Award, and
The Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship Award. She is a featured columnist for Gannett Publishing, writer for national
Produce News, GovNetNJ.com, and co-author Rutgers Fact Sheet "Enabling Gardens: The Practical Side of
Horticultural Therapy". Her work has been featured in Turf Magazine and Edible Jersey Magazine, and she has
underwritten Horticultural Therapy Resolutions at the New Jersey Agriculture Conventions in 2013, 2014, 2015,
2016, and Governor Christie signed into law on May 11th legislation designating the third week of March
Horticultural Therapy Week in NJ beginning in 2016. Congressman Leonard Lance issued federal Proclamation,
and Ceremonial Senate Resolution inauguration took place in The New Jersey Senate on March 14th 2016.
Hunterdon and Somerset Counties issued Proclamationsin celebration of Horticultural Therapy Week. At a special
ceremony orchestrated by Laura, in August, 2015, at Melick’s Town Farm, Congressman Lance flew American Flag
over the U.S. Capitol in honor of one of Laura’s senior clients,and he presented her with the Flag. The Senate and
Assembly issued Citation, and Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders issued Proclamation in celebration
of the impact of horticultural therapy on this senior’s life. Laura is a dedicated wife, married to Michael 22 years,
and mother of John, U.S. Army Sergeant and Ranger, and Jenny, a junior at James Madison University.