A gardener at Airway Heights Corrections Center (AHCC) harvest carrots from one of the gardens on the campus.
Nearly every living unit at AHCC has a courtyard garden, growing produce in the eastern Washington sunshine.
Volunteers from the nearby community support and enhance the gardening program. Two community volunteers work with the K-Unit (a living unit) Seniors in the K Unit garden. A Washington State University (WSU) Spokane County Extension Horticulture Specialist, Jeremy Cowan, makes presentations to all inmates active in the program, and consults on every garden at the prison. DOC staff Kraig Witt, a Recreation Specialist, and Lt. Leonard Mayfield also are integral to operations, and do a wonderful job of coordinating all the gardens.
Cooks process vegetables grown on-site, preparing them for inmates’ dining hall.
Many thanks to all involved for their dedication to the gardens. The bring nature inside and healthy, delicious food to the menu.
Update June 29, 2015
The gardens at AHCC are thriving, and on track to out-produce last year. Here are photos from only a few days ago:
Welcome garden is in bloom!
The prison’s main garden is showing acres of healthy crops.
A living unit garden and surrounding grounds are lush and green.
2 Comments:
Shannon Krueger
I worked in Food Service at AHCC, as clerical support, from July 1 – December 31, 2014. I saw lots of wonderful produce come in from these gardens. The offenders loved it and it allowed Food Service staff the opportunity to try some new recipes. There were lots of salads and cooked veggies. They also made come fantastic zuccini bread. Keep up the good work!!
trivettj
Thank you for sharing that!