• Adaptive gardens are used in occupational therapy.Fountain in garden. Garden design image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
  
  Adaptive gardens are an integral part of horticultural therapy. These gardens are designed specifically with the handicapped in mind and include widened pathways and ramps so those who use wheelchairs have easy access. Adaptive gardens provide a place where people can go and interact with plants and nature. The concept of the benefit of therapeutic gardens can be traced back to ancient Egypt where people walked in gardens for their health and peace of mind. If you want to build an adaptive garden, there are a few places to go to apply for grant money.
  
  

USDA National AgrAbility Project

• In 1991 the USDA began funding the AgrAbility Grant Program. This program funds services for disabled farmers and are handled by each state. These state services, such as the Missouri AgrAbility Project, provide assistance to agricultural workers with physical and mental disabilities. In addition to monetary grants, they also fund the construction required to adapt homes and gardens so that they accommodate a disabled farmer's needs. According the Missouri AgrAbility Project, this grant program provides assistance and financial resources for all types of disabilities and limitations, including chronic health conditions or pain, such as arthritis, heart conditions, visual impairment, hearing impairment, respiratory diseases, and traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries.
  
  If you need financial help purchasing specialized adaptive equipment designed for disabled gardeners, the USDA National AgrAbility Project provides a contact list for every state's Vocational Rehabilitation Program with phone numbers and links that will take you right to your state's particular website. It can also help you get funding so that you can once again live an independent lifestyle. There are no monetary amounts listed, so you'll have to contact your state's AgrAbility director for that information. The contact information is available on the AgrAbility's website.
  
  

Do Something Seed Grant

• The Do Something organization aims to get young people involved in activities that benefit their neighborhoods or the global community. The Seed Grant gives $500 to individuals to help start their projects. This grant is recommended for young disabled people who want to start a garden. The grants are given out once a week. There are no deadlines and entrants learn within two to three months after submission whether they have won.
  
  

Garden Crusader Awards

• The Garden Crusader Awards have five categories. While not specifically for disabled farmers, these grants can help you if you need money to fund your garden. The categories for these grants are Education, Feeding the Hungry, Urban Renewal, and Restoration. Each category awards an individual whose garden has improved their community. There are no age restrictions. All you have to do is provide a reason, just like any other grant application, as to why you are deserving to be awarded this grant.
  
  To apply for a Garden Crusader Award, you must either nominate yourself or be nominated by someone. The awards are given out annually and there is a June 1 deadline for all applications.
  
  Each category has five winners:
  
  The grand prize winner receives $2,500 cash and a $2,500 gift certificate to Gardener's Supply. The other winners get gift certificates to Gardener's Supply: first place is $1,000 gift certificate; second place receives a $750 gift certificate, third place gets a $500 gift certificate, and honorable mention gets a $200 gift certificate.
  
  You can obtain a nomination form by calling the Garden Crusader Awards hotline at 888-239-1553 or by e-mailing crusader@gardeners.com.
  
  

Need Help Finding a Grant?

• If you want to start a garden, but you aren't sure where to look for help finding a grant, start with Gardening From The Heart. Gardening From The Heart is a volunteer organization founded in 1976 at the National Convention for Horticulture Therapy in Fort Collins, Colorado. Since its inception, it has expanded its reach and now helps local organizations start adaptive garden clubs. If you wish to start an adaptive garden club or need grants to get your garden started, the Gardening from the Heart program may be able to help fund it for you. There are no monetary amounts listed for the awards it gives out. Its website recommends contacting Gardening From the Heart if you need help with any sort of funding relating to gardening.
  
  For contact information write to:
  
  TGOA/MGCA National Office
  
  P.O. Box. 241
  
  Johnston, Iowa 50131