Aase Haugen Home residents are working on a garden project

(Left to right): Marian Ness, Ray Fadness, Mitch Demers shown repotting plants to beautify the courtyard and inside Aase Haugen Homes

For the past seven years, Aase Haugen Homes residents have had garden space available to grow a few tomatoes, beans and other vegetables.

But this year the home's gardening spaces have been expanded, thanks to a project by Luther College student Mitch Demers.  He had a plan to bring in wheelchair accessible raised bed gardens into the courtyard of Aase Haugen Homes.  Working with his advisor, Dr. Stephanie Travers,Mitch planned the project and applied for a Faculty/Student Collaborative Research grant to cover the cost of the garden boxes through Luther College.  After the grant was approved by the Dean's Office, Mitch installed and filled the garden boxes, invited residents to participate and purchased supplies to get the garden going.

Mitch hopes the expanded program will lead to increased social activity, decreased depression, and less cognitive decline for the gardeners.  "It's great to see residents getting involved and talking about their personal experiences from years of gardening," he said.

The raised bed garden boxes will remain at Aase Haugen Homes in the courtyard along with a program guideline to maximize wellness for all those involved in caring for them. Thanks to a recent grant from the Depot Outlet Foundation, there will be a funding to purchase seeds and supplies for next year as well.  Many private individuals have supported the program so far with donations of supplies,equipment, pots, seeds and money. 

(Left to right): Dr. Stephanie Travers, Doris Blaess, Irene Holthaus, Horace Seegmiller, Ray Fadness, Mitch Demers (seated) and Jodi Halse, shown admiring the progress of the garden boxes

(Left to right): Darlene Iverson, Lawrence Blong, Paul Gerleman, Mitchell Demers and Lester Duff planting vegetables in the new garden boxes in the courtyard of Aase Haugen Homes