COUNTY NEWS
» » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » »
Three state Act 309 inmates have been responsible for the garden since Sheriff Danny Hickman started it three years ago after moving to new grounds outside town.
Inmates’ green thumbs trim Boone County food budget
It was only three years ago that the Boone County Sheriff's Office planted a garden. Tey'd just moved southeast of town and had room – and thanks to the state Act 309 pro- gram, had some inmates with the knowledge and willingness to coax delicious veggies out of the Ozark soil. Te first year was "only" a half-acre. Last year they doubled it to an acre; this year they added another 10 feet to the garden which is behind the county jail at Valley Springs just south of Harrison. “We really depend on this garden,” which last
year produced nearly $18,000 in market value of vegetables, said Sheriff Danny Hickman. Tere are three Act 309 state inmates who see
to the garden. At the peak of harvest time, they might get some help from a misdemeanor in- mate or two, said Jason Day, jail administrator. A Boone County justice of the peace provides them with an application of turkey litter as fer- tilizer once a year. Tomato plants – a staple for the big garden – are raised and donated by the Valley Springs FFA. “It is really a money-saver,” said Day. “Tere
have been a lot of people come out and look at it, too.” He said numerous other sheriffs and jail administrators have expressed an interest in doing something similar back home. “Tey’ve asked about what we grow, how we do it, and the savings to our food budget.” Tere is no waste to this garden, either. Te
A bright yellow bloom will soon produce a squash. COUNTY LINES, SUMMER 2011
veggies and melons are canned, frozen or eaten fresh immediately after they’re picked. Tey also share some with a local benevolent organization called Share and Care, so that none of the pro- duce goes unused. “With the garden, the inmates eat good; it’s healthy; and it’s cheap,” said Day. “Te taxpay- ers and community appreciate it – and we want to save all the money we can. We’re taxpayers, too.” In 2010, the Boone County Jail garden pro- duced the following fruits and veggies with a total market value of $17,403. Cucumbers, 1,928 lb.; okra, 272 lb.; can-
Not a weed in sight, thanks to the inmates’ hoes.
taloupes, 713; bell peppers, 185 lb.; banana peppers, 1,316 lb.; lettuce, 215 lb.; corn, 4,509 ears; squash, 2,126 lb; greens, 836 lb.; beets, 179 lb.; watermelons, 346; tomatoes, 2,433 lb.; snap beans, 651 lb.; cabbage, 130 lb.; carrots, 119 lb.; sweet potatoes, 195 lb.; and lima beans, 21 lb.
39
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64