Developing, delivering, and evaluating whole-health focused programs for youth using horticultural therapy models, cross-disciplinary community partnerships, and local and national funding sources

In the United States, northern Arizona youth take part in therapeutic activities that are the product of a collaborative and creative cross-discipline approach to develop social-emotional, workforce, and other life skills.
This paper will highlight the application of horticultural therapy at two Flagstaff, Arizona schools: Killip Elementary and Ponderosa High School.
Programs are community and individual needs based.
After school programs aim to improve student wellbeing at Killip Elementary and pre-vocational elements are designed to improve long-term individual and community impacts for at-risk youth at Ponderosa High.
Horticultural therapy sessions were developed and delivered by the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension faculty with support from local non-profit Terra BIRDS, certified Master Gardeners, Northern Arizona University student interns, AmeriCorps members, Ponderosa High School teachers, and Coconino County Juvenile Probation Services.
Youth learn life skills and strategies for careers and wellness through evidence-based horticultural therapy sessions.
Horticultural therapy brings elements from cross-disciplinary partners together for the benefits of youth, their families, and their communities.

XVI International People Plant Symposium

G. Gratop

horticultural therapy, youth, wellness, pre-vocational, at-risk, Cooperative extension, collaboration, nutrition

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2026.1459.3