Rachel Cochran | Trellis Horticulture Therapy Alliance

Rachel Cochran

Trellis Horticulture Therapy Alliance

Decatur, DeKalb County

For many people, a garden is a place of peace, growth, and connection. For those living with disabilities, it can be much more—an essential part of their healing journey.

Rachel Cochran, co-founder of Trellis Horticulture Therapy Alliance, knows the deep isolation that often comes with disability. “I have my own daughter with a disability that had a traumatic brain injury,” said Rachel. “You feel isolated because you can't drive, can't navigate, and don't want to go out because you just can't explain yourself anymore. That's the sadness about disability, that you really lose connection with people who are not disabled.”

Determined to combat this isolation, Rachel co-founded Trellis Horticulture Therapy Alliance with fellow grower Wendy Battaglia. The two met while pursuing a Horticulture Therapy certification at the Denver-based Horticultural Therapy Institute and found a shared mission: to use the power of gardening to enrich the lives of people living with disabilities. Through their work, they provide purpose, foster independence, and create community for their clients. Last year, they served 115 people through their garden therapy programs at their Ability Garden at Callanwolde—and now, they’re preparing for something even bigger.

Rachel and Wendy are moving their Ability Garden to a new home at Decatur Legacy Park, where they will join a vibrant community of nonprofit organizations! The new garden will host Trellis’ therapeutic programming and will also include a community garden for Decatur residents. 

With a lot of work ahead of them, Trellis applied for Food Well Alliance’s Garden Forward Grant and received $10,000 to help build raised beds and install an irrigation system. “We’re excited,” said Rachel as she showed some of the Food Well team around the new garden. “We have space for 16 beds, and part of these beds are going to be the community garden.” The vision for the new garden includes ADA-accessible walkways made of crushed slate and four large L-shaped raised beds that are easily accessible for those in wheelchairs.

Trellis has had a long relationship with Food Well starting with compost deliveries and small grants to help them grow. “Food Well realizes the unique nature of what we do,” said Rachel. “Honestly if it wasn’t for that first grant – that really motivated us. It gave us the confidence that someone believes in what we’re doing, because you need that first funder to believe in you.”

A lot of progress has been made to the new Ability Garden and Rachel shared more good news. After several donations, Trellis has secured a year-long lease on a cottage next to the garden. This additional space will serve as storage, indoor classrooms, and – with plans to make the kitchen wheelchair accessible – a place to teach clients how to cook with fresh, local produce from the garden. “The location is great,” said Rachel. “The really important thing about this space is that the people who come will feel part of this larger community.”

Rachel expressed gratitude for Food Well Alliance’s belief in their vision. “Food Well is such a caring, kind, and generous organization. They understand the struggles of farmers in all walks of life. Without the resources, there can’t be progress.”