At Avon Park Correctional Institution, some inmates are getting a new kind of vocational training, thanks to faculty and volunteers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Highlands County.
The UF/IFAS Extension program prepares inmates for a career in Florida’s nursery and landscaping industries, said David Austin, horticulture agent and Master Gardener coordinator for UF/IFAS Extension Highlands County. For the past two years, Austin and Master Gardener volunteer Charlie Reynolds have helped inmates master the practical horticultural skills they’ll need to pass the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association’s certification exam.
“The FNGLA certification is a widely respected credential for green industry professionals in Florida, and it is mandatory for anyone working in a Florida nursery,” Reynolds explained.
“This kind of training is different than the kind of apprenticeship other inmates get in a woodworking or welding class, for example,” Austin said. “Now they have proof of formal training that will mean a lot to those in the business.”
Last year, all 11 class members passed the test with a score of 90 percent or better, Reynolds said. Two students from the group have since left prison and are now working in the nursery industry.
The certification program, known as Therapy Through Plants, got started when Tommy Sauls, an officer at Avon Park Correctional Institution, asked if Reynolds would help inmates who worked in the prison’s greenhouses become Master Gardeners. However, Austin, Sauls and Reynolds eventually determined that FNGLA certification training would have a bigger long-term impact. In addition to FNGLA certification, some inmates were trained and licensed in pesticide application.
Reynolds and Austin partnered with Merry Mott, director of certifications and career development with FNGLA, to provide students with copies of the certification training manual, which cut down on the program’s cost.
In addition to preparing for the exam, participants get hands-on experience propagating and caring for ornamental plants such as orchids and ferns. “It’s an opportunity for them to have ownership and be proud of something. They sell their plants at the prison’s twice-yearly plant sale, and the proceeds go toward the nursery and the certification exam fee,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds has been working with prison officials, FNGLA leadership and landscape architects to urge state lawmakers to pass a measure that would give employers more incentives to hire released inmates who are FNGLA certified. The proposal is now on the legislative agenda for the next congressional session in, Reynolds said.
“If we can prevent at least one person from coming back to prison because of the program, that’s a success,” Reynolds said.
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By: Samantha Grenrock, 352-294-3307, grenrosa@ufl.edu
Source: David Austin, 863-402-6540, davidaustin@ufl.edu
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS works to bring science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. Visit the UF/IFAS web site at ifas.ufl.edu and follow us on social media at @UF_IFAS.
Photo courtesy of Charlie Reynolds
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Comments:
April 23, 2017
I adore this site - its so usefull and helpfull.
February 7, 2017
Thanks for your support, Janet!
February 7, 2017
Thanks for your support, Shirley!
February 7, 2017
Hi, Eric! Do you need help contacting the UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County office?
January 22, 2017
This sounds like a blast. It would be a fantastic class to have in Pinellas County.
January 14, 2017
So proud of our Florida 4-H members who will be able to participate in the Presidential Inauguration. They are very lucky to be attending Washington Focus while the inauguration is taking place. Have a great time as you study our government and your the historic landmarks that you studied in school. you will make new friendships with young people from all over the USA.
December 8, 2016
What a wonderful idea! As a Master Gardener myself, I can not think of a better program for prisoners. Horticulture is wonderful therapy and skills learned will be helpful when inmates are released. Congrats to all involved.
December 5, 2016
Hi, Gary. Thanks for your interest! You can find more information about the artist in residence program at https://ncbs.ifas.ufl.edu/artist-in-residence/. It doesn't appear that next year's application is up on the web site yet, so please email ncbs@ifas.ufl.edu for more information about the application.
November 29, 2016
How does one apply for this opportunity to be at Seahorse Key for a week!? I am a nature photographer who has taken many photos of the Cedar Key area which I love.
July 6, 2016
Hi Christine. Thanks for getting in touch. Could you tell me which county in Florida you are located in? This will help me better direct you to the right resources.
June 29, 2016
Hi Christine. Sorry you're having this problem. The videos are on pause when you open the page, but if you click the play icon, they should start up. Please let us know if you are still having difficulties.
June 29, 2016
BTW: Tech issues with this page: the videos on the mosquito workshop embedded are on pause and will not play.
June 29, 2016
I am working on a Farm-To-Table Educational Workshop Project to take nationally and wondered if there was any kind of grant programs available for projects such as this?
May 3, 2016
Hi, Amanda. UF/IFAS doesn't promote or endorse products, but thank you for your interest!
May 1, 2016
If you would like to highlight a Florida-grown product that would fulfill the magnesium deficiency, such as peanuts, I would be happy to provide you with photos. UF IFAS is always such a big supporter of Florida's farmers.
February 26, 2016
Hi, June. Thank you for your question. I recommend taking a look at these UF/IFAS publications for more information on removing nuisance armadillos: The Nine-Banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) -- see the section called "Methods of Control" Baiting the Nine-Banded Armadillo Dealing with Unwanted Wildlife in an Urban Environment -- see the section called "Armadillos" I hope these are helpful to you, and please let us know if you have any more questions.
February 24, 2016
I have a family of armadillos under my shed. I also have dogs and do not want them in my yard. How can I get rid of them humanly?
February 10, 2016
Julieta, this is the answer to your question from Dr. Jonathan Crane, a UF/IFAS Extension Topical Fruit Crop Specialist: "1.Propagation of kumquat by seed may or may not result in the same identical plant. Kumquats can produce seed from nucellar (mother plant) tissue and through cross pollination with other citrus. 2.Propagation by seed usually results in weak plants. 3.Kumquat is mostly propagated by grafting or budding onto cold hardy rootstocks (usually trifoliate orange, ‘Flying Dragon’)."
February 10, 2016
Hi, Julieta. Thank you for your message. I am consulting one of our experts about your question and hope to have an answer for you soon.
December 23, 2015
The ones I am eating today are from Alachua County and they are delicious. If I plant the seeds, will I get perfect kumquats again or I wonder if I will get part of a hybrid or rootstock.
October 21, 2015
Hi, Linda. Thank you for your message. I am consulting one of our experts and hope to answer your question soon.
October 18, 2015
where can I buy local pecans in Florida?
September 17, 2015
Hi Deborah, Thank you so much for your suggestion. Go here to have our blog posts delivered to your email box: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/global/subscribe/. Then, feel free to forward the email on to others! -Thanks, Tennille
September 16, 2015
Please email these timely blogs, so I can pass the info onto the people purchasing my Green House Growing Solutions Systems here in New Port Richey, Fl. PPI: Providential Provision Inc would like to get these 4' by 6' VICTORY GARDENS out to enable the Veterans and Families to Get Growing their own food Vertically, Hydroponically, Bioponically, and Aquaponically all 4 growing seasons! Let's Put the Pieces Together, Together!
September 15, 2015
Hi, Tomatoes need about 1-2 inches of water per week. If rainfall is not enough, water plants thoroughly once a week. Heavy soakings once a week are better than many light sprinklings. More frequent watering may be needed in sandy soils, especially in the first week plants are set. Include a lot of organics in your soil to help absorb and hold water. For more information go here: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh028 | http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_tomato. Thanks!
September 11, 2015
How often should I water my tomato plants?
August 27, 2015
I am in the Florida Keys and haven't seen any native tree frogs for decades. I have pretty much eliminated Bufos from my property. I enjoy the insect control provided by the Cuban Tree Frogs but would happily trade them for native Green Tree Frogs. My problem is when I eliminate the invasives how/where can I get natives, hopefully tadpoles, to repopulate.
August 27, 2015
The first sentence under the 'Capture & Humane Euthanization' section erroneously identifies native tree frogs as culprits when it should read Cuban treefrogs. BTW, Paula & I enjoyed being led by Dr. Johnson on a rafting trip down the Snake River several years ago. Thanks for the memories.