US (OR): Regional jail greenhouse earns state honour
This program partners the Master Gardeners with inmates at the regional jail juvenile facility. Working hand-in-hand with guards and service district educator Phillip Brady, the Master Gardener project has become a motivational learning experience for incarcerated youth, a major fundraiser for the local Master Gardeners and a source of funds to operate the correctional facility greenhouse.
Six years ago, current project leaders Sheri Esquivias and Peggy Peterson were the driving forces behind establishing the Master Gardener portion of what has become a sustainable horticultural work-study relationship with incarcerated youth. The behaviour of each youth is evaluated daily by two staff shifts for positive interaction with peers and staff, attitude, education and group rules. They must receive sufficient points to earn the right to work with the Master Gardeners in the greenhouse.
Source: The Dalles Chronicle