Joe Lamp’l talks garden tools with Dr. Amy Wagenfeld, Occupational Therapist
The work on the Veteran’s Farm (Full Episode: 308) embodies occupational therapy, a science-driven, holistic profession that helps people recover from a wide range of physical and mental challenges through the use of therapeutic activities (occupations). In this clip, we visit the gorgeous Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens to meet with Dr. Amy Wagenfeld, an occupational therapist whose practice focuses on the healing opportunities provided by nature.
Occupational therapy helps people of all ages participate in meaningful and purposeful activities that they want and need to do. In Amy’s practice she uses horticulture and farming as tools to address both physical and mental issues that people may be experiencing. Physically, this may involve eye-hand coordination, strengthening, and mobility; mentally, this may involve stress reduction and group work.
Setting occupational therapy sessions in a garden or on a farm nurtures the senses and the body and mind, while also contributing to the community by improving the health of the plants- it’s win-win!
Joe and Amy also discuss a few garden tools and how to modify them to make them easier for people with joint pain or limited mobility to use.
More information:
- A simple way to adapt a garden hand tool (PDF)
- InnOvaTive Use of Non-Gardening Tools in the Garden (PDF)
- The American Occupational Therapy Association
- AmyWagenfeld.com
- Full episode: Veteran Farmers
About GGWTV
Growing A Greener World is a national gardening series on Public Television that features organic gardening, green living and farm to table cooking. Each episode focuses on compelling and inspirational people making a difference through gardening. This gardening series covers everything from edible gardening and sustainable agriculture to seasonal cooking and preserving the harvest.
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I am a disabled vet and am tired of the money grubbers I find on the net. Vet farming is a very good program as it gives the veteran a chance that is not loaded with the money grubbers trying to rip the vet off. I found one that admits to being from VA but when it came down to it he was no more involved with the VA. and probably not ever a vet if the truth be known was a total money grubber. While in the service, I have worked the disaster programs, I realize a need for emergency food supply (fresh food) that only a Vet Farmer can provide. The Vet farms is the way to handle this and provide emergency fresh food supplies at the time of disaster. Get rid of the money grubbing bull and start supporting the local vet farmer. Thank you very much.
That you for your well done and very comprehensive approach to communicating gardening information.
Thanks Charlie. We try very hard to make sure we’re telling the best story. I’m sure it helps that our entire staff believes in the subject matter and we all live a life that exemplifies those stories we bring to you. We all appreciate you talking the time to leave us your comment.
I was so impressed with this program for vets. So much is needed in this area and I’ve never been so moved as when I watched the episode on NPT. I would love to see more people take advantage of this kind of therapy and I have no personal interest, but should I ever see a need.I have the information. I just have a heart for our veterans.
God Bless You, D. Christofferson
FAVA-Family Alliance for Veterans of America provides information, education, advocacy and support to families of veterans and veterans. We are interested in receiving more information on the veterans’ farm and occupational therapy. We are located at FAVA, 100 North Clark St. Forest City, Iowa 50436 or you may call at 641-243-4103.