Support the MSU Extension Veterans Therapy Garden Project

Overview

Finding quality mental health resources can be a critical problem for veterans returning to civilian life. Whether it’s dealing with gaps in the VA healthcare system or financial barriers, too many veterans are unable to access the care they need to live full, productive lives.

The MSU Extension Veterans Therapy Garden Project (VTGP) addresses the unique mental, emotional and physical healthcare challenges of former military service members by establishing spaces and services which support evidence-based therapeutic horticulture practices.

Program Model

Established in 2021 at 801 Hazen St. in Paw Paw, Michigan, the VTGP allows participants to engage in gardening activities and evidence-informed programming to reduce stress, promote sensory engagement, and provide an environment that facilitates resilience-building habits. The garden offers participants an inclusive, serene, and supportive community gathering place. Program participants and visitors interact with the garden in three different ways:

Self-guided learning for visitors: educational signage, demonstration areas, and free-use materials are located throughout the garden for visitors to interact with. These tools provide real-world opportunities to improve knowledge and practice skills related to therapeutic horticulture practices. Examples of educational signage include pollinator protection information, mindfulness meditation techniques, and foundational information describing the practice of therapeutic horticulture.
Instructor-guided learning for short-term participants: Classes, workshops, and one-on-one training are provided on both a scheduled and appointment basis. Priority is given to participants with military veteran affiliation, but these services are offered to all visitors and participants. Examples of previously held classes include pollinator planting techniques, beekeeping, and native plant garden design.
Access to community garden space for long-term participants: Gardeners are assigned to care for a portion of the common area of the garden to support their goals within their therapeutic horticulture self-practice. Alternatively, gardeners are allotted 4x8’ raised beds, growing vegetables for personal use or for donation to local food banks. The garden currently hosts 6 long-term gardeners assigned to raised beds and common areas.

Gifts to this project will allow us to create an entirely accessible space to help address the needs of military veterans, free of charge. Donations will also be used to provide the funding needed to facilitate the construction and expansion of the garden, including:

Purchasing building materials
Ensuring the garden meets full ADA compliance standards
Providing plants and necessary garden supplies
Implementing evidence-based educational and therapy programming
Resources for community outreach initiatives, guest speakers, and future expansion efforts

The VTGP is managed by MSU Extension District 13 in coordination with MSU Extension's statewide network of experts. In addition, a team of volunteers from MSU Extension Master Gardeners of Southwest Michigan provides program support to ensure the garden is expertly maintained and continues to meet rigorous quality standards upon its completed renovation in 2026.

Success in this program is measured by participant and stakeholder feedback. Specific measures of feedback include:

Visitor and participant contact hours, numbers of visits, and evaluation of program effectiveness
Self-reported changes to knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to therapeutic horticulture
Self-reported improvement of physical and mental health symptoms which participants are managing through therapeutic horticulture practices
Quantities of physical resources distributed to visitors and program participants, including plants, printed materials, and educational kits.
Program referrals from partner organizations (e.g. local Veteran Service Offices, hospitals, schools, and district courts)
Requests for consultation by external agencies to establish therapy horticulture sites and services

Program Successes in 2023

Program donors in 2023 successfully funded the 12x16’ barn in support of a unique aspect of the program. Over 90% of the 12,000 lbs. of building materials used in the first year of garden construction were recycled from a generous cast of local small businesses, contractors, and homeowners. A barn to receive, process, and store these materials greatly reduces the costs and other challenges associated with sustainable, community-powered, and accessible landscaping.

Financial Support

This garden is among the first of its kind in the state of Michigan: a managed outdoor space with a primary function and design to address public mental health education needs. Grant funding from the Michigan Labor and Economic Opportunity agency funds the majority of the program’s infrastructure development through 2026. The combined value of these projects with added financial support from MSU Extension and private donors is $237,000.

Gifts to this project allow for the creation of an accessible space that address the specific needs of military veterans, free of charge. Donations are used to fund the upkeep and expansion of the garden, including:

Purchasing construction materials and landscaping supplies
Ensuring the garden greatly exceeds ADA compliance standards
Providing plants and necessary garden supplies to participants
Hosting instructors for evidence-based horticulture and mental health classes

Future Challenges and Work

Hidden from the above cost are the years of research, planning, and face-to-face programming which typically precede funding of such programs. This multi-year lag-time, large financial investment, and lack of standardized program benchmarks create major barriers to the establishment of therapeutic horticulture sites. As part of its mission, the Veterans Therapy Garden Project aims to reduce these barriers through documentation and distribution of high-quality best management practices (BMPs) to relevant schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, senior living communities, non-profit organizations, and government entities.

Contact Info

For more information:Contact Melissa Franklin, frank126@msu.edu, 269-657-8213, or visit MSU Extension's Veterans’ programming website.

The garden is located at 801 Hazen St., Paw Paw, MI 49079

Make a Gift by Mail:

University Advancement
Spartan Way
535 Chestnut Road, Room 300
East Lansing, MI 48824

*Make check payable to Michigan State University and write “Appeal 25AFCCF1VTGVD” in the note section.