Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin commends the staff and the inmates who have taken part in planting, growing and cultivating the vegetables that have been available for sale.
He said a majority of the produce grown and harvested goes right back to benefit the inmates for nutrition at the Starke County Justice Center.
“We expanded the garden to a little less than four acres now,” said Dulin. “About 80 percent of the produce goes to help supplement the inmate’s meals. With the other 20 percent, we found a way to bring in extra money to help fund the substance abuse program with their books or utensils they need for the class. We got the approval from the state to sell the produce wholesale to the public, like a Farmer’s Market.”
During the past two Saturdays, a little over $1,200 has been raised through the sales toward recovery programs. The funds not only support substance abuse classes. It supports a Nurturing Fathers class as well as a GED equivalent courses, horticulture, and bee hive keeping efforts. Collaboration efforts between the Starke County Justice Center and the Starke County Economic Development Foundation are ongoing for vocational training.
Dulin added that hearing positive comments from the community while they are selling the produce helps inmates in their recovery.
“We want them to reintegrate back into society and not feel like an outcast. Part of that is talking to the public at these farm stands and interacting with the public. It’s been a huge asset to them and their mindset.”
The produce stand will be open today from 9 a.m. to noon at the Starke County Justice Center on State Road 8 east of Knox. Painted wood pallets will also be available for purchase.
