My Name is Katy
The two things that get me the most excited are growing things and genuine connections with people. In no particular order.
A few years ago, in a life rut, I was talking to a friend about her son’s attempted suicide. As a person that struggles with mental health, I knew I had the ability to offer some insight into what he’s going through. The conversation was tearful and raw but ultimately, she came out of that interaction knowing more of the painful reality her then 16-year-old was facing. She said many times after that day that I gave her priceless information just by being honest about who I am.
That moment was a turning point for me too. I suddenly saw that I could empower people to live a richer life. So I began searching for ways to do more of this. In a long rabbit trail of Google searching (you know the ones I’m talking about), I discovered horticultural therapy.
Horticultural therapy combined the two things that make me feel most alive – people and plants. It allows me to reach people on a 100% equalizing platform. The garden doesn’t care who we are, it cares that we nurture and not harm it.
I enrolled in a certificate program and spent the next two years falling in love with the garden again. I grew up surrounded by grandparents and a father who all love to garden. You could say it’s in my blood.
Studying HT, however, changed how I saw the garden. It’s always been a place of healing for me but now it was also the modality to help others heal.
After completing the program and getting my certificate, I struggled to find a place to use it. And frankly, I struggled to find a place to use it my way. See, I have what the kids call “an authority problem,” a problem being told what and how and who I am supposed to be.
Instead of finding an existing program to get involved with, I decided to take the easy path and make my own. HA.
Little Goose Garden is my journey. Starting with plant production (the way I believe it should be done) and dreaming of HT programming in the future. Starting with a hobby greenhouse in my backyard and dreaming of acres of farmland. Starting where I am. Starting.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. I’m so glad you’re here.
