BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — Since April, the Benton County Sheriff's Office's (BSCO) Inmate Garden Program has been in full swing. Now, they are seeking donations for this year and next year.
The program runs from April to October with the goal of allowing inmates to learn valuable skills while in custody.
"Participation in the program requires inmates to meet certain behavioral standards," BCSO said. "We’ve found that many inmates strive to improve their behavior to qualify for these opportunities."
Not only does this program teach inmates the gardening process, it also supplies fresh fruits and vegetables to local food pantries through the Community First Initiative.
The sheriff's office said the garden has donated over 5,000 pounds of fresh produce in previous seasons.
While tending to the 2024 garden, the program is looking to plan for 2025.
The sheriff's office is in need of the following items:
- 2024 garden
- 30 seed packs of tomatoes
- 25 small seed packs of cherry bell radish seeds
- 2025 garden
- 40 seed packs of peaches and cream sweet corn
- 15 seed packs of sugar baby watermelon
- 50 seed packs of cherry bell red radishes
- 30 seed packs of green cucumbers
- 30 seed packs of green okra
- 40 seed packs of zinnia flowers
- 25 seed packs of marigold flowers
- 40 seed packs of mammoth sunflowers
- 15 seed packs of cantaloupe
- 15 seed packs of beets
For those interested in donating, reach out to the public.relations@bentoncountyar.gov.
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