Linn County Sustainability is hosting interactive horticulture therapy classes this month called Garden Bridge Outreach. The classes were developed by Linn County Food Systems Council member Scott Koepke to show the therapeutic benefits of gardening.
Program participants will learn about life skills, such as hope, resilience, patience, balance, and peace while observing or participating in garden maintenance (watering, weeding, and harvesting). Samples of vegetables will be provided each week.
The classes are free and will be held on Saturdays, August 14, 21, and 28 from 10 a.m.-noon in the gymnasium at the Linn County Fillmore Building, 520 11th St. NW in Cedar Rapids. The content of each class will be same. Attendance will be capped a 20 people per class, so registration is encouraged.
Research shows that the practice of gardening is therapeutic. In addition to producing food and beauty, gardens grow healthier minds and social networks. From soil to soul, this inspirational and fun gathering offers both practical gardening tips for any horticultural context, and food for thought on how nurturing botanical life can heal people’s trauma in many forms.
For more information, visit LinnCounty.org/GBO.
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Scott Koepke Bio
Scott Koepke is the Farm Manager of the Indian Creek Nature Center, and a substitute teacher in five corridor school districts. He founded Soilmates, a garden & life skill education service for children, and co-founded Grow Johnson County, a hunger relief farm in Iowa City. Scott has taught garden therapy at both juvenile and adult correctional facilities, and serves as a member of the Linn County Board of Supervisors’ Food Systems Council. He is a graduate of Iowa State University and a former Peace Corps Volunteer.