Garden Project at Jail Benefits Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties

An innovative project at the Stark County Jail will result in an educational opportunity for inmates and a long-term benefit for the clients of Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties.

Under the guidance of Master Gardener volunteers from the OSU Extension, Stark County office in Massillon and the Stark County Farm Bureau, non-violent inmates at the jail are planting a garden to grow vegetables such as beans, peppers, squash, zucchini, tomatoes and radishes. As the produce is harvested it will be delivered to Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties in Massillon, where it will be used in meals prepared for their clients.

"This program utilizes existing land and resources to benefit many people," said Maureen Austin, Ph.D., extension educator for agriculture and natural resources at OSU Extension, Stark County. "Trustees will grow the vegetables, and in the process more people will have a greater understanding of where food comes from. In particular, it will shine a light on Stark County agriculture, which is abundant."

Vegetables from the garden will become part of the meals served to Meals On Wheels clients. "We prepare our meals daily in our on-site commissary," said Nora Logsdon, program manager and dietician for Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties. "Fresh ingredients are essential to our dishes, and the harvest from the garden project will enable us to serve even more people."

The garden measures 30 feet by 90 feet and is located in a fenced area on the west side of the jail, which is located at 4500 Atlantic Boulevard N.E. in Canton. Up to five supervised inmates will work in the garden at any given time for up to two hours a shift, according to Captain Laura Stewart-Johnson of the Stark County Sheriff's Office.

"Our goal is to provide an education for the inmates and be able to give back to the community," said Stewart-Johnson. "The fact that it doesn't cost us or the taxpayers anything is a real plus.

"In addition to the support of the OSU Extension, Stark County office, financial assistance and equipment for the project are being provided by the Stark County Farm Bureau and Hartville Hardware.

"This is an exceptional use of people, land and natural resources," said Nick Kennedy, organization director for the Ohio Farm Bureau for Columbiana, Portage, Stark and Summit counties. "It's a great example of the positive impact agriculture has on the community, and we're proud to support the program."