You often hear about ‘farm to table’, but have you heard about the ‘farm-to-vase’ movement? An inspiring partnership between Santa Cruz nonprofits, the ‘Flowers to Patients’ program — founded by Hospice of Santa Cruz County (HSCC), in collaboration with UCSC Farm & Garden and The Homeless Garden Project Farm, delivers ethically grown flowers to people who are facing the end of their lives.
Hospice nurses, chaplains, and volunteers scoop up bunches of freshly-cut dahlias, snapdragons, yarrow, sunflowers, and many other vibrant florals, grown by The Homeless Garden Project Farm and the UCSC Farm & Garden. The flowers go straight to hospice patients and families.
HSCC is currently looking for volunteers to fulfill the vital role of supporting individuals at the end of their lives. Volunteers support people in hospice care by providing a hand to hold, a break for caregivers, and sometimes help with light errands. The Farm to Vase program reflects the qualities of the big-hearted, ethical, kind people that serve as volunteers.
“We are very grateful for our partnership with UCSC Farm & Garden and the Homeless Garden Project, and to our gracious hospice volunteers,” says Forbes Ellis, Director of Volunteer Services at Hospice of Santa Cruz County. “Our ability to deliver beautiful bouquets of flowers to our patients and families, truly brightens their day, and gives our volunteers and staff a sense of fulfillment.”
Eighty percent of flowers in the United States are imported, with harsh chemicals, and often in poor labor conditions. “Folks deserve to have clean, healthy flowers to enjoy — that weren’t produced at the expense of someone else’s labor and health,” says Kellee Matsushita-Tseng, Assistant Manager at the UCSC Farm & Garden. “The Hospice Flowers to Patients program is really important. I really feel lucky to be able to provide flowers that are grown without pesticides and chemicals.”
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Next Hospice Volunteers Training
Applications due: August 23
Training begins: September 6
