OTTAWA, Ill. - This summer, the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program brought its ‘Tomato Troubles’ workshop to the LaSalle County Jail. With a new garden in its first year, the project has given inmates in the drug treatment program a chance to learn new skills and take pride in their work.
The garden began this spring with donated plants from Bonie Plant Farms in Ottawa. Inmates Hallan Brady, Derek Hornick, and Jovanny Castaneda rolled up their sleeves to handle planting and weeding. Their work included tying up tomato plants and trimming them at the bottom to keep the airflow.
“This project has given our inmates in our drug treatment program another tool during their recovery to experience something they never thought they would do or care about,” said LaSalle County Jail Superintendent Jason Edgcomb. “It helps them enjoy some of the simple things that living a sober life can present to them. They get excited to see what they have worked on produce so much harvest.”
The ‘Tomato Troubles’ workshop walked participants through how to spot plant problems and find solutions. The workshop included prevention tips on soil health, crop rotation, watering, mulching, pruning, staking, and airflow. Participants shared questions and observations, applying what they learned as they moved through the garden.
“Overall, it was a positive and practical program, helping participants strengthen gardening skills and build confidence in caring for their plants. I look forward to seeing how the garden grows in the future,” said Master Gardener Coordinator Bettyann Harrison.
To learn more about the Master Gardener program, call University of Illinois Extension at 309-364-2356 or email Bettyann Harrison at bettyann@illinois.edu.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.