Growing farm program at Kan. prison feeds many

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) - Prisoners at Leavenworth Federal Prison are learning valuable farming skills while feeding needy folks across eastern Kansas and beyond.
The prison's Therapy and Mentoring Horticulture Program yielded more than 100,000 pounds of produce last summer that was used at the prison and donated to food banks.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports prison staff think this year's output could be at least twice that much.
Prison food services coordinator Joe Mason says the program features cutting-edge sustainability practices while not costing taxpayers a dime.
About 50 minimum-security inmates participate in the program that produces watermelon, tomatoes, squash, corn, strawberries and garlic.
Mason says all of the seeds, equipment and labor is salvaged or donated by community members.

Information from: Lawrence Journal-World, http://www.ljworld.com

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