Volunteers Work Hard on Greenhouse for Ken Craig Community Garden, Fundraiser Planned for February

The Ken Craig Community Garden had a very successful summer of supplying fresh food to community members and various local organizations. Representatives report that they’ll be able to support even more growth in the future thanks to a grant provided by the Starke County Community Foundation.

Ever since funds from the Foundation were received back in October, garden volunteers have been racing against the cold weather to get a greenhouse put in place. They’ve made significant strides over the last few months, and they also got tools from the best electric reel mower reviews so they can have the lawn also clean.  Continue reading

Starke County Justice Center Garden Expands, Trustees Start Planting for the Season

The Starke County Justice Center gardening program continues to grow!

According to Therapeutic Community Coordinator and Jail Warden Phil Cherry, the garden has quadrupled in size since last year. Justice Center has received multiple awards for the garden and the program in the three years since it’s been implemented.

Despite the dreary weather Thursday morning, a handful of trustees were out planting some “cold weather” items such as onions and potatoes. Though only about 6 inmates were working on this task, Warden Cherry shared that anywhere from 30 to 40 individuals will eventually be involved. Continue reading

Starke County Jail Offers Green Thumb Gardening Class as a Part of F.A.R.M Program

Instructor Phil Woolery Leads Gardening Class for Starke County Jail inmates

According to Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin, more than 30 jail inmates recently started a gardening class instructed by Starke County Purdue Extension Educator Phil Woolery.

Sheriff Dulin shared that a total of 32 inmates will be attending the month-long class where Woolery will teach lessons about agriculture, horticulture and other skills related to botany.

He said the “green thumb” gardening class is a part of a Starke County Jail program called F.A.R.M., which is an acronym that stands for Focusing A Recovery Mindset. Continue reading

Purdue Extension Welcomes New Ag Educator

Purdue Extension LogoPurdue Extension has a new Agricultural Educator in Starke and Pulaski County.

Phil Woolery started the job on May 1st of this year and has, so far, been working to assess exactly what residents in the two counties need out of his services. Purdue Extension offices work to provide educational opportunities in each of Indiana’s counties.
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