An NDSU plant sciences course uses horticulture as positive therapy for local people.

The course, Introduction to Horticulture Therapy, is taught each spring by Alan Zuk, assistant professor of plant sciences. Three of the course’s lab activities involve trips to a local elementary school, retirement community and adult life program that serves citizens who are mentally and physically disabled in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

In March, Zuk and students Derek Benson, Patrick Restemayer and Todd Christlieb helped residents at Touchmark at Harwood Groves Retirement Center in Fargo brighten up their apartments with plants. Students had started the tomatoes, flowers and herbs in February in the NDSU greenhouses.

During the projects, Zuk and his class help plant seeds and bulbs and transplant flower and vegetable seedlings to give residents and children a chance to learn about healthy and restorative aspects of growing plants. Zuk said planting flowers is a “more enjoyable activity to regain dexterity and fine motor skills than squeezing a tennis ball.”

The class also planned to visit an elementary school and another care facility in Fargo.

For more information on PLSC 150 or the NDSU Plant Sciences Horticulture program, visit www.ag.ndsu.edu/plantsciences/undergraduate/courses/plsc150 and www.ndsu.edu/ndsu/academic/factsheets/ag/hortfore.shtml.

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.