Interest grows in detention center gardening program
Thursday, July 29th, 2010By Joe Potter
Learning how to grow corn, okra, lettuce and rutabaga is exciting to youth at the Pasco Regional Juvenile Detention Center, according to teachers who revived the program last year.
The facility serves youth detained by the 6th Circuit Court awaiting adjudication, disposition or placement in a commitment facility.
Teachers Raymond Pelto, left, and Kevin S. Coggins stand beside corn that detainees at the Pasco Regional Juvenile Detention Center have grown. Working in the garden to plant the corn and other vegetables, detainees acquire agricultural skills. Items from the garden are also used as part of the meals at the center. (Photo by Joe Potter)
Although much of Pasco County is rural, most of the juveniles held at the center have little or no knowledge of agriculture, said lead teacher Kevin S. Coggins.
The gardening program was revived during 2009 at the center after a hiatus of several years.
Once the vegetables are harvested they are served to the students and staff in the dining area at the 57-bed secure facility.
“They are excited when they see how something goes from a seed to a plant. They’re a little freaked out when they get to see what things look like in their raw form,” Coggins said.
In addition to growing food to eat, the students also learn watering and fertilizing techniques and other aspects of agriculture. Pasco County schools employ a team of four teachers, two instructional assistants and a part-time special education consult at the facility.
