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County staff propose pilot garden using jail inmates to grow produce for community distribution
Summary
A LaSalle County staff member described a proposed pilot program to use inmates in educational gardening tasks; committee gave informal approval to proceed with planning and coordination with extension and health officials.
A county staff member proposed a pilot gardening program that would give participating inmates hands-on horticulture experience and produce food that could be distributed to low-income families and county staff.
"I have one of my officers who has equipment and has offered to bring that equipment in and till up an area for a garden so that they can take those inmates that are in those programs out there and have them work in a garden," said Mr. Edgecomb (staff member), who presented the idea to the LaSalle County Properties Committee.
Edgecomb said staff have identified a fenced area behind the jail where inmates in treatment programs could work without requiring full restraints because they would remain inside the secured perimeter. The county is pursuing cooperation with the University of Illinois Extension Office to provide instruction on planning and cultivation so the work is educational rather than solely labor.
Ideas discussed included planting pumpkins in late summer to make them available to low-income families via public notice such as the county's Facebook page. Edgecomb cautioned that produce from the garden likely cannot be used in the jail kitchen without meeting public health guidelines; he suggested confirming requirements with the health department. "We've looked into this in the past. We cannot use any of that stuff in our kitchen, my understanding is. I would double check with the health department on that," Edgecomb said.
Committee members asked operational questions about water access; staff confirmed a spigot is available near the south side of the building and that an officer previously used a connection for a pressure washer.
No formal vote was taken; the committee discussed the concept and members indicated support for exploring the pilot. The presenter said the program would not cost the county for equipment because an officer had offered his equipment and the county believes no additional county funds would be necessary to begin planning.
The committee requested staff follow up with the extension office and the health department to confirm program design, food-safety requirements and any limits on distribution or kitchen use.
