Take a Tour of the Salt Lake County Jail Garden!

So you've been hearing all about our Salt Lake County Jail program, how the inmates then bring and sell the produce at the downtown farmer's market, but what does their garden look like? Well now you can see for yourself! Click the picture for details.




Charles Martin, front, and Marciano Estrada spread mulch for the Horticulture Program at the Salt Lake County Metro Jail in Salt Lake City, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013. (Ravell Call, Deseret News)

 

New Posts Every Week!

Have you kept up to date with delicious recipe ideas for your fresh produce? What about looking into the forecast to be ready for if and when your garden sees a common Utah pest?

Don't forget to check out these pages of our blog. You'll find them updated weekly!

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Fresh Fruit Portal Digs our Prison Gardening Program!

Another article surfaced to inform more of the public about our prison gardening program at the Salt Lake County Jail.

“Certain fields of the green industry are a good option for some of these guys. We can’t forget that a lot of these guys have a felony charge and that does make finding a job harder. There are a lot of fields where that kind of mark on the record is an immediate out.”- Katie Wagner


Read the full article here!

Organic Forecast's garden tips page is officially up and running!

Have you been waiting to see your weekly tips about pest management and how to keep your garden still organic?!

Well, our Organic Forecast page here on the blog is up and running! The first tip has been posted.

Check in weekly for new garden tips!

Fresh Produce, Fresh Start for Salt Lake County Inmates

Another great article about the garden program at the Salt Lake County Jail!

Click here for the full article.

Salt Lake County Jail Gardener
 

Building an Army of Natural Enemies to Defeat Pests!

In Edible Wasatch's Summer 2013 newest magazine, Katie Wagner of our horticulture department here at Utah State Extension, wrote an educational and creative article on how to attract the natural enemies we all so desire in our garden. She writes, "This is accomplished through three simple steps: 1) plant shelter and food plants, 2) reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides toxic to natural enemies, and 3)grow a diverse garden."

Read the full article by clicking the image below! Find a hard print copy of the magazine at local stores near you. Visit the website to find out more!

USU Extension's Inmate Gardening Program makes local news!

It's true! Utah State University Horticulture Extension runs a garden program here at the Salt Lake County Prison!

Katie Wagner, an assitant horticulture professor, teaches these minimal security inmates how to grow organic vegetables, how to control pests in the garden, and what to keep an eye out for throughout the growing season through multiple classes at the jail.

This program allow the inmates to learn something valuable while 'doing their time' behind bars. They are rewarded by being allowed to take part in the program and work outside in the garden a few hours a week. Once harvesting begins, you will see a handful of them at the Downtown Farmers Market selling their produce. And trust me, it's all delicious!

It's not about making money for the prison, says Sgt. Mike Johnson, Salt Lake City Prison. Learn more about why this program is so rewarding for the prisoners by visiting the video below.

http://www.abc4.com/content/news/top_stories/story/Inmates-grow-sell-produce-at-farmers-market/QsEyy3rr5U6amSxC2ITwkw.cspx