Participants in the Starke County Justice Center’s Fostering a Recovery Mentality (F.A.R.M.) are working to complete substance abuse programming to develop a better life outside of addiction and they are developing other productive life skills.
Starke County Justice Center Warden Phill Cherry said 18 men and women are a part of the F.A.R.M. program. To qualify to be part of the program, inmates must be enrolled in the Intensive Outpatient Program. There are a few inmates ready to graduate from the program on July 13, and then another round of classes will be available in August for eligible inmates.
Cherry said trustees have a flourishing garden again this season. There are a variety of vegetables growing in the garden that were planted by the F.A.R.M. participants. They also maintain the space. Harvest of tomatoes, beans and others are ongoing to be used as food for inmates and donations to worthy organizations and outlets.
Plans on holding public sales at the Justice Center are on hold due to COVID-19.
Participants are also learning skills in woodworking, sewing and crafts to make items for sale to the public. Many decorative jars and clothes sewn by members of the F.A.R.M. program are available at the Bass Lake Marina. Others have been making decorative rolling coolers for BBQs, camping, graduation events or other gatherings.
The sale of these items helps sustain the F.A.R.M. program and assist with costs associated with related substance abuse treatment classes. For more information or to place an order, call Warden Phill Cherry at the Starke County Justice Center at 574-772-3771 ext. 276.
