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Garden Gate:  Gardening, Health and Wellness?  |
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harvesttender
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
56 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 03 2013 : 08:22:05 AM
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| I'm about to write a proposal to encourage some college students to volunteer their time to work (next summer) in a community garden. They're all health majors, and I'm thinking that I could motivate them by appealing to the 'healthiness' of working in a garden. Just wondering what thoughts anyone might offer. Thanks, and blessed new year to you from us in CT. |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2013 : 11:23:50 AM
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One can get lots of vitamin D working out in the sun, be sure to use sun block. It's good exercise, lowers blood pressure in many people. I'm sure there are many others.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
Posted - Jan 04 2013 : 04:47:51 AM
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That is a wonderful idea/proposal! The college students can definitely benefit from getting their hands dirty. It will help them make the connection of good soil producing nutritious fruits and vegetables. And perhaps it will make them think of health in terms of prevention instead of or including medication. Good job!
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
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jenne.f
True Blue Farmgirl
643 Posts
Jenne
Wagontown
PA
USA
643 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2013 : 1:36:02 PM
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I read recently, tho I am not sure where, that working in the dirt, excuse me, soil, exposes us to bacteria which strengthens our immune system. Also home grown or fresher food provides more nutrients.
Good Luck!
~blessings~
Jenne
Farmgirl #4616 |
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mscountrygirl
True Blue Farmgirl
552 Posts
Michelle
Lucedale
Mississippi
USA
552 Posts |
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harvesttender
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
56 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2013 : 12:57:44 PM
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| You are all so very kind and supportive. Thank you for your ideas. Instinctively, we gardeners know that being outdoors, working the soil, and tending seeds to harvest, are natural and enriching activities that use our bodies, minds, and hearts. It's odd how our society has moved to a point where I need to "justify", in writing, what could possbily be the links between gardening, health, and wellness. But I'm up to it, and I'll get it done. Thanks again, good folks! |
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westfork woman
True Blue Farmgirl
554 Posts
Kennie Lyn
Emmett
Idaho
USA
554 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2013 : 6:53:59 PM
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Sounds like a great idea, and I have one you might just add to it. What about having your college kids work a community garden that is for the benefit of a nursing/ assisted living facility. I had an elderly uncle that went into a nursing home only because he could not take care of his wife, and wanted to stay with her. He had always had a garden, and the nursing home would not let him plant one. Even a couple of pots of tomatoes would have made him happy. But no. Lots of these older people have always had gardens, and nothing would make them happier than scatching in the dirt, or even just watching a garden grow. My husband said it would give them something to live for, maybe just to get a bite of the first tomato. Something to think about. It would be a benefit to the students, the elderly and the community.
Greetings from the morning side of the hill. |
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joanieh
Farmgirl in Training
29 Posts
Joan
Brinnon
WA
USA
29 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2013 : 06:26:32 AM
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| The benefits of working in a garden are healthy in many ways! physical: exercise of the body, contact with beneficial bacteria, Vitamin D from the sun; emotional:connecting with other people you are working with, knowing that you are helping your community, and nutritional: the good nutrition from home-grown food! All I know is, I am never more content than when I am working in the garden on a nice day! |
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mscountrygirl
True Blue Farmgirl
552 Posts
Michelle
Lucedale
Mississippi
USA
552 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2013 : 07:05:43 AM
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I can't believe the nursing home said no! If the family looks at the resident rights they have a right to stuff like that. Here in Mississippi we have an omnibudsman who gets complaints like that and reminds the nursing homes that these people have rights. If no local nursing home would take the fruit of your labors I bet a local foodbank would.
It all comes back to the ground!
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westfork woman
True Blue Farmgirl
554 Posts
Kennie Lyn
Emmett
Idaho
USA
554 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2013 : 1:23:47 PM
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I think the nursing home felt it might make more work for their employees, but if a group of student volunteers were doing the labor, they might agree. I know our local food bank would take the food, they take it from our church's garden, and lot's of others. But with the emphasize of local fresh food for institutional use, the nursing home might be able to take the produce.
Greetings from the morning side of the hill. |
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Garden Gate: Gardening, Health and Wellness? |
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Gardening, Health and Wellness?
