About Christine Pollard, HTM

approachable * creative * dedicated * engaging * entertaining * enthusiastic * experienced
good sense of humour * great storyteller * honest * inspiring * knowledgeable
personable * resourceful * respectful * supportive

It is my enthusiasm, humour and love of life and people that led me from my BSc in Agriculture/Horticulture, to work with Agriculture Canada in virus testing, to extension agriculture and community development with CUSO in Papua New Guinea, to Horticultural Therapy (HT), Providence Farm and now Home Farm in the Cowichan Valley of British Columbia, Canada.

For the past 25 years, I have had the opportunity to combine my community development expertise with my horticulture to develop the Horticultural Therapy Programs at Providence Farm in Duncan and now in my local, national and international community. My accomplishments during this time included the establishment of an accessible public garden, community garden plots, a seniors garden club for persons with mental health issues, a supported employment program for persons with mental health issues and horticulture training and rehabilitative programs for persons with other barriers to employment and education.

Since 2001, I have established the Home Farm Horticultural Therapy Certificate meeting accepted CHTA requirements. This certificate is available at various centres in Canada and Chile and is now on-line!

As one of five Masters level Horticultural Therapists in Canada professionally registered with the American Horticultural Therapy Association, I have spoken nationally and internationally advocating the benefits of horticulture for health.

I now support the CHTA as a member of the Education Workteam under the direction of the Education Director Emma Rooney. .  We have now established the CHTA HT Competencies.  The Education Work Team is now working on CHTA Education Guidelines to be posted on the CHTA website available to CHTA members so that more educational opportunities can be made available in Canada with guidance from the CHTA. 

We are have updated the CHTA Internship Guidelines that is now posted on the CHTA website encouraging CHTA Professionally Registered HT's to mentor CHTA members working towards their professional registration. 

My current consultation contracts includeVancouver Island University Horticultural Therapy Diploma.  As of July 2007, we now have our first four graduates of the HTh Diploma in Canada!  VIU currently has 7 more students enrolled in the HTh Diploma.  We are hoping that the momentum will continue to build to support HT in Canada.

As one of five Masters level Horticultural Therapists in Canada professionally registered with the American Horticultural Therapy Association, I have spoken internationally advocating the benefits of horticulture for health.

Emma Rooney, Home Farm Associate

Emma currently works for the Children’s Garden and Exploring Toronto Programs with the City of Toronto .  Previously, as Program Coordinator at the Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Street Kids International, Emma managed a youth-led community mapping project on local poverty and homelessness.  As a Home Farm Associate, Emma enjoys supporting the development and instruction of innovative and accessible education projects, like the Home Farm HT Certificate Live On-line.

Emma has a passion for using new technologies for the purpose of connecting people and sharing knowledge.  She records her personal journey as a Horticultural Therapy student on her blog Garden Route Therapy and also administers the Home Farm Alumni News.

In 2008, Emma completed her Horticultural Therapy Internship at Providence Farm on Vancouver Island. Emma sits on the Board of the the Julien Project, a new Horticultural Therapy program in Guelph, and the Board of the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association, as Education Co-ordinator.

Sharon Stewart, Practical Training Instructor