The AHTA Annual Conference is traditionally held in the fall each year. The 2013 Conference, Honoring the Past...Envisioning the Future, will take place Sept. 20th and 21st in Minneapolis, MN. The Conference is an opportunity to bring together on a national level those involved in research, education, best practices and the novice who wants to explore the ever growing field of horticultural therapy. It celebrates the profession and brings recognition to the role horticultural therapy and its practitioners play in the health and well being of peoples’ lives.
AHTA issues a “Call for Presenters” in January of each year; registration opens in early spring.
AHTA celebrates several annual events on the national level and participates in several additional regional ones. Most notable is National Horticultural Therapy Week, traditionally celebrated the week that includes the first day of spring. In 2013, Horticultural Therapy Week will be celebrated the week of March 17th. (Spring begins with the vernal equinox on March 20, 2013, at 7:02 A.M. EDT in the Northern Hemisphere.)
Regional Horticultural Therapy Events
Since many - if not most - horticultural therapists work as consultants or as solitary practitioners within their settings, professional commaraderie is particularly important as a way to share ideas, explore new techniques, and expand contacts. Although structurally independent of AHTA, these regional networking groups are invaluable in the activities and support they provide to their members. AHTA works synergistically with these groups to provide national exposure for their programs and events.
