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Horticulture Career Preparation Training in Arkansas Prisons

Horticulture & Turfgrass

Sherri Sanders
County Extension Agent - Agriculture
University of Arkansas Syst. Div. of Agri. Ext. Serv.
SEARCY

Abstract

 

A unique partnership between the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and the Arkansas Department of Corrections developed because of the need for horticulture education for inmates.   The program is taught in three prison units in the state: McPherson Unit – Maximum security women’s unit, North Central Unit, and the Randall L. Williams Unit – Medium security men’s units.

Riverside Vo-Tech School, located inside the prison system provides education in the following areas for inmates: Cosmetology, Computerized Accounting, Business Technology and Horticulture.  Horticulture students receive a certificate of completion after 1440 hours in the Riverside program. 

Michael Harmon, Agriculture instructor at McPherson participated in the White County Master Gardener training and wanted to provide additional opportunities for his students, like the Master Gardener training. A plan was developed to offer an additional 40-hour Horticulture Course Program with “hands-on/real world” information to aid newly released inmates in becoming employable.

 

The program includes:

  • Turf Management
  • Common Weeds, Diseases, Insects in Landscape and Turf
  • Basic Soil Fertility
  • General Pesticide Safety
  • Trees for Arkansas Landscapes
  • Plant Propagation – “Hands – on”
  • Plant Selection (annual, Perennials, Woody Ornamentals Sun vs. Shade)
  • Cool & Warm Season Vegetables
  • Tree Fruit Production
  • Small Fruit Production
  • Tomato Production in the Home Garden
  • Soft Skills

 

How the Program Works

  • Extension personnel teach the classes at each unit.
  • Typically spend one day per month at each location.
  • The ADC/Riverside teachers test the students.
  • 70% or better – passing grade.
  • A “transcript” of sorts will be on file for the inmate.
  • Upon graduation of our program the student will receive a certificate of completion from the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
  • Upon release the participant will be provided with a portfolio developed by Good Grid.
  • The portfolio will include all earned certificates during incarceration.
  • We hope to establish a network to provide possible employment opportunities for these graduates.
  • Buy in from the industry has been received – Arkansas Turf Grass Association and The Arkansas Green Industry have agreed to hire our graduates who have completed the course.
  • There are some tax incentives for employers who hire felons.

 

 

Authors: Sherri Sanders
  1. Sherri Sanders CEA-AGRI, University of Arkansas Syst. Div. of Ag. Coop. Ext. Service, Arkansas, 72143