Close Resources

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025


Success StoryFederal Prison Master Gardener Program Continues to Grow



Federal Prison Master Gardener Program Continues to Grow

Author: Lori Bowling

Planning Unit: Boyd County CES

Major Program: Master Gardener

Plan of Work: Best Management Practices in Home Horticulture

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Since 2001 the Boyd County Extension Horticulture program has offered the Certified Kentucky Master Gardener program at the Federal Correctional Institution Camp in Ashland, Ky.   There have been over 450 inmates that have gone through this program with an average of 80% of those becoming Certified Kentucky Master Gardeners.  The inmates learn in both a classroom setting and through hands on learning activities to be sure they understand the course content.  They perform their volunteer hours in the 6-acre garden located at the facility which produces fresh fruits and vegetables that benefit those less fortunate in the local community through a partnership with a food distribution center, River Cities Harvest, that serves 28 agencies in Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia.  The 2022 class had 12 graduates from this program and the garden produced over 91,000 lbs of produce.  Because of the success of this program, the Bureau of Prisons determined that the Ashland Facility could benefit from hiring a Vocational Technical Horticulture Instructor to work directly with the Extension Service to help to continue not only this program but for future horticulture program opportunities and certifications for inmates.  Many of the inmates who have become Certified Master Gardeners have been able to secure gainful employment upon release back into society or they have gone on to pursue more education in the horticulture field.  This program has proven that not only does it benefit the local community, but it benefits the inmates with horticulture skills to build on and also offers them a form of therapy to help them be able to cope with the time they must serve in the facility.






Stories by Lori Bowling


Master Gardeners Are a Vital Part of Program Outreach

about 1 months ago by Lori Bowling

Extension Master Gardener volunteers are a vital part of the Boyd County Extension Horticulture prog... Read More


Healthy Options for Homeless and Low-Income Populations

about 4 months ago by Lori Bowling

With an increase in the local homeless population and the number of residents that are below the pov... Read More


Stories by Boyd County CES


Youth Lamb Showmanship Clinic

about 27 days ago by Meredith Hall

Describe the Issue or Situation.Local 4-H youth are looking for opportunities to grow as showmen and... Read More


Sprayer Calibration Clinic

about 27 days ago by Meredith Hall

Describe the Issue or Situation.Many landowners and farmers have questions regarding pesticide spray... Read More