MAHTN Newsletter, Vol. 6, #6 2025

Welcome to the

2025 June edition - MAHTNMatters

June is a month of rapid growth—plants stretch toward the sun almost overnight, filling gardens with new leaves, blossoms, and life. This quick transformation mirrors our own potential for change when we’re nurtured and given space to grow. As we immerse ourselves in the garden’s pace, we’re reminded that while growth can be fast and full of energy, it’s grounded in deep roots, consistent care, and connection to the environment around us. Nature’s rhythm teaches us that flourishing happens when we’re present, engaged, and open to change.

Mikkele Lawless - Editor MAHTNMatters

MAHTN Presents:

Innovators in the Field of Horticultural Therapy/

Therapeutic Horticulture

When: June 14, 2025

10:00 AM

Location: Online

Registration:

MAHTN Member - Free

Non Member – $15.00

It’s such an exciting time in the field of Horticultural Therapy/ Therapeutic Horticulture! There is so much innovation and creativity with new ideas, activities, and uses in a diversity of populations.

Join MAHTN as we host a webinar, sharing the experience and knowledge of a few innovators in HT/TH practice...

Rich Matteo, Overbrook School for the Blind

Lisa Story, “Hope Grows” Respite House & Gardens

Collie Turner, “Heroic Gardens” Programs for Veterans

FREE for Members, $15 for Non-Members - or consider joining us today!

Please join us for our next COP virtual meeting.

Wednesday June 25th 7:00pm

Topic:

"What Are the Immediate Challenges in Your Horticultural Therapy Pracitces?"

You’re warmly invited to join a collaborative discussion with fellow horticultural therapy professionals and students, to explore the real-world challenges we’re currently facing in our practice. Whether it’s related to client engagement or consideration of gender within groups, activity ideas and planning of current seasonal programming, initiating and funding new programs, or adapting to diverse populations—we want to hear your experiences.

This is an open space for honest sharing, peer support, and brainstorming solutions. Let’s learn from one another and strengthen our practice as a community.

We look forward to growing together.

For more information, to present or pose a topic please contact:

fred@ongrowingmindfulness.com

Please contact megan.fainsinger@gmail.com to be added or removed from the COP mailing list and to receive the COP Zoom link.

All Are Welcome and Encouraged to Attend!

Please contact

For more info. click here!

Save the Date for the

2025 AHTA Annual Conference!

Theme: Nurturing Community: Planting the Seeds of Our Future
Dates: October 9–11, 2025
Location: Virtual – on a dynamic new platform that’s designed to make attending more fun and interactive than ever!

This year’s conference will offer exciting new ways to connect with colleagues, engage with presenters, and grow together as a professional community. To view the 2025 AHTA Conference page, view more here.

Registration will open soon!

Calling all Pollinators & Pollinator Lovers!

May 23 through September 30, 2025

Morris Arboretum & Gardens becomes a paradise for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators in its newest exhibition, Bees, Butterflies & Blooms: A Pollinator Paradise.

Each month brings together people, plants, and pollinators in meaningful ways. Throughout the entire season, visitors can enjoy a variety of fun events, from interactive workshops to engaging programs to specialty guided tours, making this exhibition a delightful and eye-opening experience for all ages.

Click here to find out more!

2nd Annual Newark Grows School Gardens Tour

Friday, June 13, 2025

8:00 am1:00 pm

32 Prince Street Newark NJ 07103

Click for Details

Member Perks

The Potting Shed

Available to all MAHTN members providing a comprehensive repository of information and ideas to support HT's.

Inside the Potting Shed you will find:

On-demand access to HT webinars and videos
Networking opportunities
Access to specialized Communities of Practice
Marketing Tool Box
Employment Opportunities

Check out our new postings!

If you have an employment opportunities to share please email: info@mahtn.org

Check back each month to see updates and new materials added!

What's New in the Media?

Read All About it Here!

MAHTN's very own Carolyn Vachani is in the news supporting HT/TH.

Click H ere to see the news broadcast.

Read the Article Here!

Nature Connection and Neurotransmitters:

How Mindfulness in Nature Enhances Brain Chemistry

Program Spotlight

An interview with:

Stefan Livermore

Workforce Development Coordinator

Greens Do Good

Hackensack, NJ

Greens Do Good is an HT program that focuses on training young adults with ASD for jobs in the horticulture industry.

We asked Stefan...

1. What population do you work with?

I work with young adults aged 16-21, who are on the autism spectrum.

2. Why did you choose to work here and how did you get involved with this population?

I have a background in ABA therapy and I have always enjoyed working around plants so I thought Horticulture Therapy would be ideal. Unfortunately, I was studying at Rutgers when the pandemic hit. It was tough finding internships and jobs then, but I loved my studies and landed a spot in a plant lab. After that, I worked as a researcher at Aerofarms, a huge indoor farm in Newark. When I heard about Greens Do Good's mission, it really clicked with me, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I am incredibly lucky to have found a place that combines all of my work experience!

3. What is innovative about your program?

We believe that this industry is perfectly suited to folks on the autism spectrum. Every task, from seeding and planting to harvesting and packaging, can be adjusted to allow for all different independence levels. It is also an invaluable experience for our participants to be able to work closely with our neuro-typical staff.

4. What kinds of activities do you do?

Our groups have a hand in absolutely every task that goes into running a commercial farm. Typical tasks include seeding hydroponic grow plugs, labeling containers to go to market, harvesting produce, and packaging. I’m proud to say that every head of lettuce we grow has been seeded and planted by someone on the spectrum!

5. How is your program evaluated?

We work with the Department of Vocational and Rehabilitative Services, so I write multiple reports with detailed descriptions of the tasks that a person does while attending the program. We also have to strictly adhere to food safety regulations.

6. How can I get more information about your program?

I encourage anyone who has questions about the program, or HT, to email me at slivermore@greensdogood.com. You can also look into our program at www.greensdogood.com! On the website you can find a link to schedule a tour as well!

7. Anything else you'd like to mention?

The people we work with are all capable and willing to learn how to be productive members of society. If there are people thinking about starting a similar program or about hiring someone with ASD, I encourage them to reach out to me or to come in for a tour to see how much our groups are able to accomplish.