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A Farm of My Own:  Question...Inmate Garden  |
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Mamaa
Farmgirl at Heart
3 Posts
Michelle
Villa Rica
GA
USA
3 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 30 2010 : 08:41:48 AM
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Greetings Ladies!!
I remember reading an article about a garden that inmates had to tend to. Master Gardeners supplied the know-how to the inmates and it became a great success! I am looking for some input for the same type of program in my community. It was started a couple of years ago which I had no knownlege of how it began but it was not successful. I would love to have some imput and ideas to get this going. This garden would feed the inmates and also the food would go to the battered women's shelter in my community. Approx. 1 1/2 acres has been plowed this week. Next step is to do soil samples.
Anything you can send me as far as ideas will be great!
Thank you so much!
Michelle
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natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2010 : 09:09:29 AM
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I seen something about this somewhere. I think you could contact seed savers, I think they do a similar program for seeds being provided for this, I may be wrong. Have you aproached the facilities chaplin? They can get a surprising amount of things accomplished inside those walls. I have seen things done by the chaplin when everyone else was told it was impossible. Try doing an internet search for inmate gardens and things such as that, you'll probably find too much info.
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2010 : 8:10:50 PM
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I've seen a few articles lately too - I think it's such a good idea. There was an article in our paper on the prison in Monroe WA, and how they have switched to push mowers powered by inmates, plus they are planting the gardens and the guys who are doing it are totally into it. One of them was saying "we are just like a bunch of little old ladies, waiting for the seeds". Great opportunity for a whole bunch of learning and growth!!
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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vintagejenta
True Blue Farmgirl
83 Posts
Sarah
Walden
NY
USA
83 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2010 : 6:13:21 PM
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If you search "prison farm" or "prison garden" on google you should come up with tons of articles. I've read about both self-sustaining farms and gardens being extremely healing and helpful to inmates.
So how I understand it there is already a program set up, but it hasn't been too successful? I think the key to getting people involved (from children to seniors) is to let them in on the decision-making process. What kind of vegetables do the inmates like and want to plant? Also, helping themselves and others is helpful to inmates, I feel. That's great that you want to help feed the battered women's shelter, too!
I'm not sure how many inmates you want to involve, but a rotating schedule (5-6 per day in the garden) so that the most inmates can experience it would be a good idea. That way having just a few in the garden each day means they are easier to interact with one-on one and having people in the garden everyday means that there's never too much work for too few people.
Of course, I have no idea how many gardeners are willing to donate their time to this project, so everyday may not be possible. But hurray for you for taking on this project! Let us know how it turns out, please!
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http://citygirlcountryfood.wordpress.com |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2010 : 6:23:08 PM
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Hi Michelle and welcome to the forum! I read an article a few years back about a big prison in Colorado that farms 100's of acres and has a dairy. I thought that was great. They made money from the farm and the dairy. I think thay even made cheese. I think all prisons should have a program like this. It really helps the prisoners and the states don't have to provide all the funds to feed them. It's great that you are trying to get this going again. I wish you lots and lots of luck. And yeah, another Ga. girl!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2010 : 7:00:05 PM
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There are more than garden programs in prisons, they is a prison in Nevada that brings in Mustangs and the inmates train them, there are several prisons across the USA that have dog programs, last chance dogs from the pounds and therapy dogs. I think any program that gives back, plus gives these men and women a chance at starting over again with an honest life is wonderful.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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marmieto12
True Blue Farmgirl
213 Posts
laura
utah
USA
213 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2010 : 08:31:03 AM
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we have one here and they had a booth at farmers mkt in Salt Lake City, last summer. They grew heirlooms and were very knowledgeable about the veggies. It was great!
Laura;Dreaming of big girl farm...
Farmgirl # 148
Farm Girl Projects http://justsimplythegirls.blogspot.com
My Vinyl Decor Business http://thegirlscreate.blogspot.com |
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Mamaa
Farmgirl at Heart
3 Posts
Michelle
Villa Rica
GA
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2010 : 1:59:56 PM
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Thank you all for all of your imput! I will try to keep you updated with the project. I have taken pictures of the area to be planted. I will be getting imput from the inmates so we know what we need to plant. I still have to get soil samples done. Can I post pics on this forum? I will post a few if allowed.
Michelle |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Mamaa
Farmgirl at Heart
3 Posts
Michelle
Villa Rica
GA
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - May 06 2010 : 09:08:03 AM
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Thank you Alee! Will try it. There is a Sergeant that is also a pilot and is willing to take some aerial photos for me so we can get a birds-eye view of the land to be used. That will help tremendously!
Michelle |
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A Farm of My Own: Question...Inmate Garden |
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Question...Inmate Garden
Hope that helps!