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Prison volunteer coordinator asks for topsoil; county offers compost and support
Summary
A prison volunteer-service coordinator requested topsoil for two prison gardens; commissioners and staff proposed compost, manure and donated soil options, agreed to match prior community-garden support, and authorized a baseline allocation to be recorded in the minutes.
Jill Makua Oli, the prison's volunteer service coordinator, asked the board for topsoil to improve inside and outside prison gardens used in inmate programming. She said the gardens give residents practical experience and pride and that current hill soil is heavy clay and difficult to work by hand.
"We have 2 gardens, 1 on the inside of the prison and 1 on the outside of the prison... the ladies do a lot of work tilling the soil," Makua Oli said, asking for topsoil on an as-needed basis. Commissioners and staff pointed out the county's compost supply and suggested coordinating with local greenhouses and retailers for donated or broken-bag soil. Staff cautioned that heavy compost additions can "make the soil too hot," and recommended consulting greenhouse experts and adding material incrementally.
Commissioner (speaker 3) moved to authorize an initial county contribution matching prior community-garden support and to record the baseline amount in the minutes for follow-up. The motion carried; staff will work with the volunteer coordinator on hauling and timing.
