photos by Gwendolyn Moiles ’15
green spot
(Left and middle) Program participants Joe Storie and Tarrel Lewis shovel and spread compost. (Right) Kellie Balfe ’15 and Robert Waalkos winterize a garden bed.
Growing Life Skills by Gwendolyn Moiles ’15
successful harvest season at Therapeutic Alternatives of
such as afterschool curricula for elementary school
Maryland (TALMAR) Gardens and Horticultural Therapy Center.
students, workshops for the elderly, and horticultural therapy
The 10-acre complex on the outskirts of Baltimore County
opportunities in collaboration with other nonprofits.
Founded by Catherine T. Murphy in 2011, TALMAR
Joe Storie as they heap shovelfuls of compost over dried soil and stems, the vestiges of another
and organic produce to local markets to support programs
offers horticulture opportunities for people with disabilities and
Often, those who complete the vocational training
welcomes anyone who wishes to find peace and comfort
workshops through the League are drawn back by the magnetic
while working in the garden.
pull of TALMAR and become employees and volunteers.
It is a warm afternoon in late October, and the forests
This is the first semester that Goucher students have
surrounding TALMAR are glowing with bright autumnal hues.
volunteered at TALMAR on a regular basis. Three times a
Jessica Leffers ’16, rake in hand, helps Tarrel Lewis spread
week, Todd Troester ’15, president of the Campus
compost into an even blanket for winter hibernation.
Agriculture Co-op, takes students from campus to the garden
Chalk and Leffers are among eight Goucher students
by the vanload.
who come to TALMAR every Monday. They work with Storie
Slowly, and with lots of laughter, the young men and
and two other 20-something men who are participants in a
women work their way across the field, repeating the process
13-week horticulture program organized by TALMAR and the
of loading the wheelbarrow and dumping and spreading the
League for People with Disabilities Inc. of Baltimore City. The
compost over the rows of flowerbeds. Leffers encourages the
two-year-old initiative uses horticultural therapy to teach life
group: “Let’s keep it up, guys.”
skills to adults with a range of mental and physical disabilities.
As the sun nears the horizon, the gardeners gather their
As they weed, water, and nurture the gardens, both Goucher
shovels and rakes and look contentedly over the full rows of
students and program participants learn about hard work and
composted flowerbeds. To celebrate the successful day of
collaboration. “It’s a really educational experience,” says Chalk,
hard work, Storie gives out hugs. §
a special education major.
GOUCHER TODAY
“Y
is a self-sustaining, nonprofit organization that sells flowers
ou’re doing great!” says Megan Chalk ’14 to
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