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Planting the Seed
Mary Beth Miller founded Gardening for Good in 2001 due to her passion to help her older friends stay connected to gardening and nature. This passion grew from listening to elderly neighbors explain why they had stopped gardening. "I'm too old for that now."
"I can't plant my daffodils like I used to."
"It's too much trouble." But no matter what reason they gave, she could see their longing for the old days when they could move about the garden and plant with ease. Mary Beth was determined to show her older friends how they could still enjoy nature and gardening. Germination Time
Six years is a long time for a seed to germinate! But that's how long it took for the conditions to be right for Gardening for Good to sprout. It happened when Mary Beth lost her mother and became caregiver for her father. She took him for walks in public gardens, drives to scenic areas, and planted her mother's favorite flowers. It was soothing for the both of them. Staying connected to Mother Nature was important. Putting Down Roots
Her father then got involved in the senior center's Adult Day Program. What a difference that made! Mary Beth could see how the activities helped him get back on his feet. Why not a gardening program? After all these years, Mary Beth finally found a way to help her older friends! An Organization Blossoms
Working at the senior center, Mary Beth discovered the need for more resources on gardening programs. The director also indicated that along with the activities, it would be helpful for centers to have the info on how to start and run a program. Mary Beth's background in management, marketing, fundraising, and horticulture were just the right combination to develop programs. Instead of just helping her older neighbors, Mary Beth found a way to help many more folks. Gardening for Good became a reality. And we continue to Grow
Over the years we've discovered that older adults were not the only ones experiencing a disconnection with nature. Feedback from website visitors and workshop attendees indicate that people of all ages are benefiting from our ideas and information. We have expanded our services to meet the needs of a growing audience of caregivers, individuals, educators, and corporate and healthcare professionals. Mary Beth Miller founder, is a horticultural therapist, speaker, writer, garden designer and Master Gardener. She is a member of the national board of the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) and holds a certificate in horticultural therapy from the Horticultural Therapy Institute, Denver, CO. In 2005, the Rhode Island State Council of Granges honored Mary Beth as "Agriculturalist of the Year" for her work in horticultural therapy. Also in 2005, Gardening for Good was cited as "Best Gardening with a Mission" in Rhode Island Monthly magazine's "Best of Rhode Island" Editor's Poll. Since 2004 Gardening for Good has received several awards for its educational outreach garden displays during the Rhode Island Spring Flower and Garden Show including "Best Creative Design" and the People's Choice Award.
Gardening for Good is a partner organization with the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center in Providence, Rhode Island and provides horticultural therapy consultation and services to the Rhode Island Children's Garden Network. Gardening for Good is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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