Paula Diane Relf

Virginia Tech | VT · Department of Horticulture

Horticultural products and services impact the health and well-being of urban populations. This is an extremely important group for horticultural scientists and researchers to serve: more than half of all people worldwide already live in urban areas, and more than two-thirds will do so by 2050. In this chapter we address the past, current, and futu...

Horticultural occupations provide therapeutic, rewarding employment for persons with intellectual disabilities. There are jobs available in this growing industry for reliable employees, especially if they are trained. Persons with intellectual disabilities have proven themselves capable of skills sufficient for employment in the industry. Employers...

Selection of appropriate hand tools is an influential factor in the success of many leisure and vocational activities among older individuals. Four pruners representing different blade types and cutting mechanisms were tested in this study of tool preferences of an active population over 50 years of age. Statistical differences were found in the ch...

The need for theoretical frameworks to guide the research and implementation of treatment in professional areas that are concerned with healthcare outcomes is evident as indicated by the books and courses on the subject in occupational therapy, gerontology and many related subject areas. Problems related to research in horticultural therapy (HT) as...

From the earliest years of treatment, rehabilitation, and/or residential care for individuals with disabilities in the U.S., agriculture has played a role. In the earliest stages, as today, the activities involved the care of both plants and animals. However, the goals were often more economic than therapeutic and the setting was rural farms or ins...

To set the stage for a discussion of the future growth of the study and application of the relationship between people and plants it is important to understand the history, current participants, and resources available. In this way it is possible to begin to target the needs to met by the next generation and encourage them in their professional pur...

The need to document the efficacy of nature-based therapeutic modalities is of concern to all who support and encourage this field of endeavour. While a relatively large body of information is available very few of the articles are published in clinical and medical journals that provide the underlying basis for academic, programmatic and policy dec...

The need to document the efficacy of nature-based therapeutic modalities is of concern to all who support and encourage this field of endeavour. While a relatively large body of information is available very few of the articles are published in clinical and medical journals that provide the underlying basis for academic, programmatic and policy dec...

SUMMARY The VCE Master Gardener Coordinator Manual , a 14-chapter resource book, was developed cooperatively with teams of Master Gardeners (MG), coordinators, and agents to enhance coordinators' skills in managing the local VCE MG program. The manual includes chapters on VCE MG management components such as risk management; job descriptions; recru...

This chapter explores the approaches to Green care/Farming for Health that can be identified in the United States by dividing it into three areas: • Traditional agriculture or farms, which often consist of residential facilities on farms that include horticultural crops as well as field crops and animals with the primary focus being for production...

A needs assessment was implemented for long-term strategic planning in 4-H horticulture programming. 4-H agents, Agriculture and Natural Resource agents, and Master Gardener Coordinators were surveyed regarding horticulture programs, areas for new programming, and available resources and resource needs. Interviews were conducted with staff of publi...

Results of research on youth gardening programs indicate a variety of benefits; however, most studies to date have encountered difficulties in separating treatment effect from confounding variables. A survey of those recently involved in this type of research was conducted to identify common problems and generate suggestions for improving future re...

Ten different horticulture therapy (HT) activities that can be adapted for preschool children, elderly adults, and intergenerational groups are outlined here. The goals for these activities included participation, self-motivation, and fun. The children's activities were designed for freedom to explore and learn and to ensure completion of the activ...

Based on two years of research involving a population of older adults with dementia attending an adult day service (ADS) program, the authors developed a handbook, "Horticultural Therapy and Seniors Using Herbs: A Manual for Recreational Therapists and Master Gardeners." Fifty activities, specifically designed for use with dementia-care clients, ar...

Horticultural activities offer numerous benefits to individuals with dementia, despite decreased physical mobility and mental acuity. Awareness of the characteristics and lifestyle associated with dementia is essential for the design of garden activities. Most difficulties encountered during gardening activities are related to mobility, access to t...

Human Issues in Horticulture (HIH) is a relatively new aspect of horticulture research that focuses beyond traditional horticulture (the production, maintenance, and use of crops) to include understanding the humans who utilize the plants and the role that plants play in life quality. Quite simply, HIH is the study of the application of horticultur...

Horticultural therapy (HT) is used across the lifespan with individuals with a wide range of physical, social, and cognitive abilities. Older adults make up a large group of participants in horticultural activities. As the population of older adults grows, more adults face the risk of experiencing a dementing illness. Many families turn to institut...

As the level of urbanization has increased, many people in Korea have begun to recognize the beneficial effects of plants in our immediate surroundings and involvement in horticultural activities. Today, an increasing number of Koreans attempt to improve the quality of life and enhance educational effectiveness through horticultural activities. Kin...

The Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Master Gardener (MG) Coordinator Manual, a 14-chapter resource book, was developed cooperatively with teams of VCE MGs, coordinators, and agents to enhance coordinators' skills. It includes chapters on risk management, volunteer management, the educational process, current policies, and the volunteer section...

This study provides a profile of six juvenile offenders' responses to a vocational horticulture curriculum. The results indicate that vocational horticulture curricula may be a tool to strengthen a delinquent individual's bonds with society and, subsequently, evoke changes in attitudes about personal success and perceptions of personal job prepared...

Many of the research questions that have been posed regarding the effects of plants on people can only be answered using methodologies from the social sciences. Lack of familiarity with these methods and their underlying concepts has limited the role that horticulturists have taken in this research. Horticulturists, because of their particular sens...

. This report examines the behavior of elderly adults and preschool children during horticultural therapy (HT) activities to determine if combining intergenerational groups would complement or detract from the HT goals for each group separately. During a 10-week observa-tion period, data were collected on video documenting attendance, participation...

ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. human–horticulture relationships; people–plant interaction; sociohorticulture; horticulture and behavior; benefits of plants; human well-being; psychologi-cal well-being; human health; stress reduction; interior air quality; children's gardens; horticul-tural therapy; research; nature; response to nature; perceptions of natu...

SUMMARY Management changes brought about by 1996 budgetary action shifted local MG program management from state-funded local agents to a structure of coordinators consisting of locally funded agents, locally funded non-agent coordinators, or volunteers willing to take on additional responsibilities. Virginia Cooperative Extension's (VCE) Master Ga...

Virginia Cooperative Extension’s (VCE) Master Gardener volunteer program in available in 73 of 102 unit offices. The unit programs are managed by MG coordinators who currently include 10 locally funded agents, eight locally funded non-agents, and 26 volunteers. In 1998, the VCE Master Gardener Coordinator Manual was developed for use by coordinator...

A 17-week vocational horticulture curriculum was assessed for it's effectiveness in changing attitudes about personal success and job preparation, presenting horticulture/landscaping as an appropriate career, developing an attitude of appreciation and fostering of the environment, and strengthen social bonds to reduce delinquent behavior. Pre-tests...

Virginia Cooperative Extension's (VCE) Master Gardener volunteer program in available in 73 of 102 unit offices. The unit programs are managed by MG coordinators who currently include 10 locally funded agents, eight locally funded non-agents, and 26 volunteers. In 1998, the VCE Master Gardener Coordinator Manual was developed for use by coordinator...

Gardening is increasing in use as the focus of interdisciplinary teaching units in the elementary school curriculum and as a stratagem for student therapeutic, recreational, and social experiences. Elementary school teachers, identified as experienced in using gardening as a teaching tool, were surveyed and interviewed to determine successful strat...

Ground covers are low-growing plants that spread quickly to form a dense cover. They add beauty to the landscape and, at the same time, help prevent soil erosion. Grass is the best known ground cover, but grass is not suited to all locations. Other ground cover plants should be used where grass is difficult to grow or maintain. Unlike grass, most g...

To determine if and how plant materials were used in Virginia elementary school curricula, a survey was conducted on horticulture or gardening in elementary [Kindergarten-sixth grade (K-6)] education. To do this, 10 questionnaires and cover letters were sent to each of 100 randomly chosen elementary schools throughout Virginia. Based on a 34% respo...

An analysis of commonly asked horticultural questions is being conducted by the Office of Environmental Horticulture at Virginia Tech in order to improve the question and answer process between Master Gardeners and the public. Records of questions received by Master Gardeners from a sampling of Extension offices representing all growing areas of th...

Virginia Cooperative Extension's (VCE) Master Gardener volunteer program is available in 72 unit offices. The unit programs are managed by MG coordinators who currently include 10 locally funded agents, eight locally funded technicians, and 28 volunteers. The VCE Master Gardener Coordinator Manual, a 12-unit resource book, was developed cooperative...

Master Gardeners (MGs) have proven to be effective judges for vocational horticulture student demonstrations of industry skills in 1996 Virginia and National FFA competitions. In a survey, the MG judges indicated a wide variety of backgrounds, with many being first-year MGs having no prior experience in judging or youth programs. Overall, they rate...

The Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Advanced Master Gardener-Tree Steward (AMGTS) program provides advanced training in leadership development and arboriculture to MG volunteer educators so they may expand the influence of extension through leadership in community forestry. A statewide survey of agents, MGs, and foresters served as the basis f...

Through a CyberServe Grant, a WWW Home Page and student/community listserve were established as core communication tools for a special study taught Spring 1997, Hort 4984, Horticulture and the Community: Professional Growth through Volunteering. It incorporated the Blacksburg Electronic Village to easily put student volunteers and the community pro...

Virginia Cooperative Extension's (VCE) Master Gardener–Water Steward program (MGWS) provides advanced training in leadership development and water quality management to Master Gardener (MG) volunteer educators so that they may expand the influence of Extension through leadership in community water quality management. Typically, agents cite limited...

A national survey was conducted of teachers who use school gardening and horticulture as a teaching strategy to enhance student learning within a educational curriculum. The surveyed teachers are employed by schools that were recipients of a Youth Gardening Grant from the National Gardening Assn. in the 1994–95 and 1995–96 school years. The intent...

The Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Advanced Master Gardener-Tree Steward (AMGTS) program provides advanced training in leadership development and arboriculture to MG volunteer educators so they may expand the influence of extension through leadership in community forestry. A statewide survey of agents, MGs, and foresters served as the basis f...

Virginia Cooperative Extension's (VCE) Master Gardener!Tree Steward program (MGTS) provides advanced training in leadership development and arboriculture to Master Gardener (MG) volunteer educators so that they may expand the influence of extension through leadership in community forestry. According to a statewide survey, 70% of VCE MGs and agents...

A multi-faceted extension education program to reduce consumer contributions to nonpoint source pollution by encouraging proper landscape management was initiated in Prince William County, Va., and funded through the USDA-extension service. The program now is being replicated in several counties in Virginia, primarily in the Chesapeake Bay watershe...

Additional index words. grounds maintenance, individuals with mental disabilities Summary. Surveys taken in 1991 and 1992 in Virginia suggest that the enclave model of employment may be a more successful and long-term method of employing individuals with mental disabilities (IMDs) within Virginia college grounds departments. Individual, competitive...

Surveys of consumers and the recently bereaved were conducted to determine who sends flowers as a sympathy gift and when and why sympathy flowers are sent. Of consumers, 85% sent flowers as a sympathy gift at least once; similarly, 84% of the recently bereaved had sent sympathy flowers. Most sympathy flowers are sent to close friends (63%) and clos...

Registered nursery operators on Virginia were surveyed to determine the potential utilization of yardwaste compost (YWC) from a proposed statewide yardwaste composting system. Respondents reported using 94,000 yd ³ of potting medium, 36,000 yd ³ of peat in containers, and 9000 yd ³ of peat for field soil amendment, and retailing 144,000 yd ³ of org...

The Internet is a system of nearly 10,000 computer networks linked together in cooperative, non-centralized collaboration. There are more than a million host computers in 36 countries from universities, research groups, companies and government installations. GOPHER is a tool that allows someone to look for information by moving through menus in th...

Additional index words. demographics, volunteer activities , training and management Summary. A survey of Virginia Master Gardeners (N = 188) indicates that answering individual questions and providing educational programs designed to change indi-viduals' behavior were equally important and ranked as number 1 priority for volunteer activity. In ter...

In 1991 and 1992, two surveys were developed and sent to 87 Virginia colleges and universities to ascertain the most effective method of employing individuals with mental disabilities within their grounds departments. There were 62 (71%) responses to the surveys. The surveys show that 21 (34%) colleges and universities have employed or currently em...

A series of 20 informational brochures has been produced cooperatively by representatives from five departments and the horticulture industry. These brochures focus on environmentally sound, residential landscape practices. The brochures are designed for purchase by retail garden centers, nurseries, and landscape contractors for distribution to the...

Plants traditionally are used by interior designers as complementary natural components of the interior. This study attempts to identify if plants, in addition to providing visual interest, affect the spacial perceptions and behaviors of users in close proximity to them. The study was conducted in a three-level atrium built as part of an in-fill ex...

Through funding from various horticultural associations (including ASHS, ALCA, SAF, WFFSA, and HRI), the People-Plant Council has been able to develop a computerized bibliography that will be of great value to researchers in the area of People-Plant Interaction and a second bibliography specifically for the area of Horticultural Therapy. The combin...

Additional index words. national survey, perceptions of plants, value of plants and gardens, importance of plants and gardens Summary. Recently there has been an increased interest in the role of plants in human well-being and in the general public's perception of the value of plants. Knowing the nature and extent of the value of plants to people c...

Additional index words. mass media materials, information transfer, electronic communications technology Summary. In 1985 an extension consumer horticulture computer information system (HORT) was initiated on the Virginia Tech mainframe computer to mitigate the demands on agents' time while providing monthly professional updates and accurate, timel...

The effects of plants in the workplace on the opinions and attitudes of workers was assessed. Attitudes of employees regarding plants were favorable, and most surveyed agreed that plants in the office made it a more desirable place to work. Office workers were aware of the benefits, such as improving air quality, that plants provide. No behavioral...

Additional index words. Master Gardeners, runoff, Chesa-peake Bay, fertilizer, nonpoint source pollution Summary. A mass media water-quality program aimed at changing lawn and garden fertilization practices of homeowners successfully elicited responses from individuals by using local cooperative extension offices and newsletters. Traditional extens...

An effort has been made to minimize the time involved in production of consumer horticulture radio television, and newspaper columns on a state level, while maximizing quality and utilization. The production of The Virginia Gardener weekly radio program is an annual 4-day marathon ofrecording interviews with subject matter experts. The weekly Virgi...

In 1986, VPI&SU contracted with the New River Valley Workshop for a pilot project to determine the effectiveness of “enclave placement” in its landscape maintenance program. An enclave of five disabled adults and one working supervisor were employed to assist Virginia Tech's Grounds Department by working as a crew in litter removal, weeding, raking...

Public concern over the impacts of pesticides and fertilizers on ground water quality has been increasing. Health impacts from ingestion of these chemicals in ground water vary considerably. Recent estimates of the volume of pesticides used in the U.S. indicate that home and garden uses account for about six to eight percent of total pesticides use...

Horticulture information is being placed at the fingertips of Virginia citizens through the use of Public Information Interactive Video Systems. A personal computer (with a touch-screen monitor) and laserdisc player work together to offer a multi-media delivery system. The user moves through programs by simply touching the screen to browse, skip ah...

The Commonwealth of Virginia has mandated a recycling goal of 10% of municipal solid waste (MSW) by 1991, 15% by 1993, and 25% by 1995. Yardwaste (leaves, grass clippings, shrub and tree prunings) comprises 15% to 20% of MSW going to landfills daily. Yardwaste can be recycled by collecting material, piling it into large windrows, and allowing it to...

The Virginia Gardener Nutrient Management Education Program addressed non-point, urban-runoff pollution of Virginia's streams, estuaries, and groundwater, and included a calendar aimed at alerting the garden consumer to the connection between overfertilization and water pollution. Over 15,000 calendars were requested. A survey of calendar recipient...

Developing the Interdisciplinary Research Team of the Office of Consumer Horticulture has proven to be very effective at Virginia Tech. Established with the support of the Director of the Agricultural Research Station and the Dean of Research, the initial team was gathered based on their diverse fields and a common “interest” in plants. This core g...

An important sector of florists' business is sympathy flowers. Although flowers are still a component of the funeral, florists are seeing a decline in their sympathy sales. Do flowers serve a role in the funeral ritual? Surveys of funeral directors, grief therapists, and the recently bereaved were conducted to answer this question. Survey results s...

Horticulture information is being placed at the fingertips of Virginia citizens through the use of Public Information Interactive Video Systems. A personal computer (with a touch-screen monitor) and laserdisc player work together to offer a multi-media delivery system. The user moves through programs by simply touching the screen to browse, skip ah...

The horticulture industry offers numerous unskilled and semi-skilled job opportunities for qualified disabled individuals. A survey of Virginia horticulture businesses was conducted to document the employment of persons with mental retardation and to investigate employers' perceptions of these workers. Employers' perceptions of the general work hab...

Administrators of geriatric institutions, including activity directors, have the responsibility for selecting and providing appropriate activity programs for the residents of their institutions. Goals of these programs are generally to improve and enhance, or at least maintain. residents' morale. social interactioa cooperation, selfconfidence, and...

Popular folk wisdom has long indicated that there are psychological benefits to be derived from interaction with plants. The ancient Chinese are credited with the proverb: If you would be happy for a day, kill a pig; If you would be happy for a week, take a wife; If you would be happy for a lifetime, plant a garden.

Perennials are plants that live year after year. Trees and shrubs are perennial. Most garden flowers are herba-ceous perennials. This means the tops of the plants (the leaves, stems, and flowers) die back to the ground each fall with the first frost or freeze. The roots persist through the winter, and every spring new plant tops arise. Any plant th...

Vita. Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Maryland, 1976. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 190-196). Photocopy.