FCC's Restorative Justice Gardens * 08/29/2011
Farmington Correctional Center’s Green House, under the supervision of Rick Hannah, became a very busy place in the early spring. There were over 30,000 plants in various stages of growth during the month of May. A large variety of both vegetables and flowers are grown from seeds which were collected during the fall of last year’s growing season. Vegetables grown were: Okra, Zucchini, Squash, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Peppers, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Onions, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Honey Dew, and Pumpkins. Plants are started in germination trays beginning in January, then placed in a regulator (cooker) to keep warm and speed up the germination process. The Restorative Justice, NAACP, and VVA, all donated funds to purchase seed, fertilizer, and trays for planting. Once the plants reach a size to be transported, the vegetable plants are sent to the Restorative Justice Garden projects.
By July, the vegetable plants were going strong in several different garden sites throughout the Institution. Once the plants began producing, the crops were delivered to the local food pantries. Ken Simpson, RO III, is responsible for the gardens on A-side and Rick Hannah in Maintenance for the gardens on B-Side. Both have Offender Garden Crews which work diligently planting, weeding, watering and then picking the fruits and vegetables. They are very proud of their efforts and look forward to seeing their crops being loaded into the truck each week for delivery to the food pantry.
The staff at the Elvins Food Pantry in Park Hills meet our truck each week with open arms and immediately begin to scurry to bring grocery carts to unload the fruits and vegetables. This pantry serves 480 people per month and are open on Mondays and Fridays. We deliver produce on both days. As of Monday, August 22, 2011, we have delivered over 14,500 lbs. of produce. Due to the large quantity of food, Elvins Food Pantry shares our bountiful crops with Bismarck Church of God Food Pantry, who serves 128 people; the House of Praise Food Pantry, serving 98 people; Park Hills Senior Center which feeds 250 people per day; and the Bismarck Senior Center, who also feeds 250 people per day. All of these people are very appreciative of our efforts and look forward weekly to a new load of healthy food for them and their families.
This is a very beneficial program and all involved are to be commended for their efforts in helping not only the local people in our area, but also for teaching Offenders the benefit of working hard and sharing with others.
