Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The closure of Jetson Correctional Center for Youth caused the youth to relocate and be reassigned to different facilities. At that time the project then shifted focus to teaching 6th and 7th grade adjudicated youth at THRIVE.THRIVE is a public, tuition-free, charter boarding school that serves at-risk students from East Baton Rouge. THRIVE is for students in grades 6 through 12. It provides students with an outstanding education in a holistically nurturing family-like residential setting.We have since, located some of the youth participants at Bridge City Center for Youth (BCCY) and have implemented and continued the program on site. BCCY is located in New orleans, LA. Weekly garden classes are held at THRIVEand bi-weekly classes at BCCY. Changes/Problems:In January of 2014 our home site for the program, Jetson Center for Youth (JCCY) closed abruptly and without forewarning. In response to Jetson's closure, the program was established at Thrive of Baton Rouge, a public charter boarding school that serves adjudicated students. Weekly classes at Thrive began May, 2014 and a garden was established and is currently maintained by students. We have also initiated a gardening program at the Bridge City Center for Youth in New Orleans, Louisiana. Several of the juveniles from JCCY were transferred there, and provide leadership in the project. Technology implementation was hampered at BCCY due to lack of Wi-Fi internet connection. However, Thrive will be able to take advantage of the iPads. The Life Skills component of this grant has not been implemented because BCCY has an existing Life Skills class, and no longer needs this component. We proposed to continue on the Family and Consumer Sciences track by implementing nutrition, therapeutic horticulture and workforce development as objectives of the program. Directors at Bridge City Center for Youth have changed three times since our involvement with the facility (October 2014). This has caused some significant setbacks with planning and approval for projects. Additionally, THRIVE has moved to a new site and location, where a new garden will need to be planned out and implemented. The renewal of the proposed grant will allow for funding and time to complete the original and revised objectives that have been outlined above. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided quality formal and informal learning opportunities for adjudicated and incarcerated youth in agriculture, with specific emphasis on horticulture and work force development. SUAREC staff was able to attend the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Annual Conference (SSAWG). The conference brings together farmers and organizations across the South to holistically address our food and agriculture system. Information gained at the conference strengthened the staff's agricultural knowledge base, thus enhancing the garden program. Moreover, we were able to share our successes and challenges with others who were interested in establishing similar programs. Additionally, this project has provided a research opportunity for one Southern University Urban Forestry graduate student. The objective of the study is to evaluate how agricultural training and field gardening activities change the behavior of incarcerated youth. Investigators and key personnel involved in this project attended and presented papers and poster displays at various local and regional conferences such as the Association of 1890 Research and Extension Directors meeting, Southern University Ag Day, Southern University Small Farmer Conference, Southern University Annual Fall Garden Workshop, LSU Agricultural Extension Annual Conference, and the National Extension Directors and Administrators annual conference. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Progress throughout the project has been submitted quarterly to Southern Ag Center's Communications Department for publication in the SUAREC Chancellor's report as well as blog publications. Progress has also been presented to Thrive's communication Department and Board of Directors. Bridge City Center for Youth's director and school principal have received progress communication and updates from the project. The National Extension Directors Administrators (NEDA) Planning Team selected the project to be showcased at the 2015 NEDA meeting that focused on Innovation in Cooperative Extension programs. The project was also selected to be part of the ECOP Cooperative Extension Innovation Inventory research project. As the result of the highly competitive process, nine programs were selected from a field of 151 entries. We showcased the Fast Track program with a poster as well as an oral presentation. Results of data gathered through open ended surveys and Likert scale surveys were shared with the participants. The highlight of the presentation was the program being featured in a nationwide NEDA Cooperative Extension Innovation Twitter Town Hall session. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Current implementation of the project has ended but theprogram will continue;the delivery method will be modified to suit the current adjudicated and incarcerated youth participating in the program. We have submitted a renewal proposal to continue with the main objectives of the project with new adjudicated and incarcerated youth. We will continue to work with youth at Thrive, BCCY and plan a new partnership at the Baton Rouge Juvenile Detention Center, located near the SUAREC campus. The renewal will entail several minor adjustments to ensure the success of the project. The overall goal of the experience is to teach and share the advantages of valuing the life of a plant or animal, and ultimately valuing the life of the incarcerated and adjudicated youth involved in the process. . Adjustments of the project include: • (1)implement of a structured nutrition education component to better support healthy food choices both while in the program and to follow the youth upon completion of the program. Nutrition education will utilize the Nutritionally Yours curriculum and will focus on exposure to both raw and cooked whole foods from the garden; and • (2) incorporate the benefits of therapeutic horticulture that are attained by hands-on gardening; and • (3), Establish the pastured poultry phase of gardening to include a fully integrated approach to sustainable agriculture(i.e. the life cycle of feeding chickens green waste from the garden, collecting chicken manure to fertilize the garden and collecting eggs for consumption) During the next reporting period, Program Investigators and key personnel involved in this project will share and present the accomplishments and experiences from the project at SUAREC events, community programs , schools, additional detention centers, and at professional and agriculture related meetings (eg. SSAWG, ARD, NEDA, etc.). The team will share our experiences, achievements and pitfall with policy makers and judges. Written resources including will be developed to assist with replicating the program at additional detention centers and schools where interest and applicability applies. These resources will include fact sheets, info-graphics, and curricula.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During the 2015-2016 school year, 656 youth at THRIVE and at Bridge City Correctional Center for Youth (BCCY) 810 incarcerated youth were exposed to gardening experiences that allowed the students to implement a garden for the ground up and see the advantage of planting and growing their own garden. The opportunities provided to the youth this year brought the total impacted by the program to 1,466 youth at THRIVE and Bridge City Correctional Center for Youth combined. Gardens were established and maintained at both THRIVE and BCCY. THRIVE's campus garden is a 100ft in diameter in ground 'circle garden' with rows made by the students and planted and maintained by the students with SUAREC team guidance. The BCCY garden contains four 4x8 raise beds and four in ground 30 ft rows. At both locations students learned the dietary advantages of eating raw produce in salads, but also are taught cooking skills through cooking classes. A staff culinary chef at BCCY utilized produce from the garden to pre pare small meals for the incarcerated youth to try. The project has impacted a total of3,420youth from Jetson Correctional Center for Youth, THRIVE, and Bridge City Correctional Center for Youth over the 4 years (2102-2016) the project has been implemented.The project has provided youth with laboratory experiences and concepts for conventional gardening and organic gardening. The youth have gained knowledge by using the basic principles and practices of soil testing, natural fertilizers, planting, harvesting, processing and marketing. Family strengthening has given the youth the opportunity to build communication skills through group discussions, peer to peer counseling to address anger issues and some personal and family obstacles.?
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Presentation Title: "Using Agriculture as a Fast Track Vehicle for Change through Experiential Learning". Conference Title: National Small Farm Conference: Creating and Sustaining Small Farmers and Ranchers
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Elwood, Stephanie, Poster presentation "Using Agriculture as a Fast Track Vehicle for Change through Experiential Learning"; National Extensions Directors and Administrators Annual Conference, 2015
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Gremillion-Monroe, Christie, Poster presentation "The Young Mans Garden That Thrives"; USDA/NIFA 1890 CBG project directors meeting, Washington, DC. September 16-17, 2014
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Ghebreiyessus, Yemane, Kelli Kollins and Stephanie Elwood. Poster presentation "Developing garden skills as a transition tool from prison to community"; poster presented at the Association of 1890 Research Directors, Inc. annual meeting in Jacksonville, FL. April 2013
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Monroe, Christie, Cyrus, Kasundra, Ghebreyessus, Yemane, Walker, C. Reuben. Using Agriculture as a Fast Track Vehicle For Change through Experiential Learning. 71ST Professional Agricultural Workers Conference. Tuskegee, Alabama, December 8-10, 2013. Presentation Title: Gardens for Incarcerated Youth Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group January 2014
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Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/15
Outputs
Target Audience:The abrupt closure of Jetson Correctional Center for Youth caused the project to be postponed until the youth were relocated and reassigned at different facilities. We have since located some of the youth participants at Bridge City Center for Youth (BCCY), also a youth correctional facility,and have implemented and continued the program on site. BCCY is located in New Orleans, LA. We have also identified Thrive as a new site where we focus on the 6th and 7th grade classes. Thrive is a public, tuition-free, charter boarding school that serves adjudicated students from East Baton Rouge Parish. Thrive is for students in grades 6 through 12. It provides students with an outstanding education in a holistically nurturing family-like residential setting. Weekly garden classes are held at Thrive. Bi-weekly garden classes have been implemented and continue to meet with the Protective Custody (PC) Dorm at BCCY, New Orleans Changes/Problems:In January of 2014 our home site for the program, Jetson Center for Youth (JCCY) closed abruptly and without forewarning. In response to Jetson's closure, the program was established at Thrive of Baton Rouge, a public charter boarding school that serves adjudicated students. Weekly classes at Thrive began May, 2014 and a garden was established and is currently maintained by students. We have also initiated a gardening program at the Bridge City Center for Youth in New Orleans, Louisiana. Several of the juveniles from JCCY were transferred there, and provide leadership in the project. Technology implementation was hampered at BCCY due to lack of Wi-Fi internet connection. However, Thrive will be able to take advantage of the iPads. The Life Skills component of this grant has not been implemented because BCCY has an existing Life Skills class, and no longer needs this component. We propose to continue on the Family and Consumer Sciences track by implementing nutrition, therapeutic horticulture and workforce development as objectives of the program. Directors at Bridge City Center for Youth have changed three times since our involvement with the facility (October 2014). This has caused some significant setbacks with planning and approval for projects. Additionally, THRIVE will be moving to a new site and location, where a new garden will need to be planned out and implemented. The renewal of the proposed grant will allow for funding and time to complete the original and revised objectives that have been outlined above. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided quality formal and informal learning opportunities for adjudicated and incarcerated youth in agriculture, with specific emphasis on horticulture and work force development. SUAREC staff was able to attend the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Annual Conference (SSAWG). The conference brings together farmers and organizations across the South to holistically address our food and agriculture system. Information gained at the conference strengthened the staff's agricultural knowledge base, thus enhancing the garden program. Moreover, we were able to share our successes and challenges with others who were interested in establishing similar programs. Additionally, this project has provided a research opportunity for one Southern University Urban Forestry graduate student. The objective of the study is to evaluate how agricultural training and field gardening activities change the behavior of incarcerated youth. Investigators and key personnel involved in this project attended and presented papers and poster displays at various local and regional conferences such as the Association of 1890 Research and Extension Directors meeting, Southern University Ag Day, Southern University Small Farmer Conference, Southern University Annual Fall Garden Workshop, LSU Agricultural Extension Annual Conference, and the National Extension Directors and Administrators annual conference. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Progress throughout the project has been submitted quarterly to Southern Ag Center's Communications Department for publication in the SUAREC Chancellor's report as well as blog publications. Progress has also been presented to Thrive's communication Department and Board of Directors. Bridge City Center for Youth's director and school principal have received progress communication and updates from the project. The National Extension Directors Administrators (NEDA) Planning Team selected the project to be showcased at the 2015 NEDA meeting that focused on Innovation in Cooperative Extension programs. The project was also selected to be part of the ECOP Cooperative Extension Innovation Inventory research project. As the result of the highly competitive process, nine programs were selected from a field of 151 entries. We showcased the Fast Track program with a poster as well as an oral presentation. Results of data gathered through open ended surveys and Likert scale surveys were shared with the participants. The highlight of the presentation was the program being featured in a nationwide NEDA Cooperative Extension Innovation Twitter Town Hall session. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Current implementation of the program will continue; however the delivery method will be modified to suit the current adjudicated and incarcerated youth participating in the program. We will submit a renewal proposal to continue with the main objectives of the project with new adjudicated and incarcerated youth. We will continue to work with youth at Thrive, BCCY and plan a new partnership at the Baton Rouge Juvenile Detention Center, located near the SUAREC campus. The renewal will entail several minor adjustments to ensure the success of the project. The overall goal of the experience is to teach and share the advantages of valuing the life of a plant or animal, and ultimately valuing the life of the incarcerated and adjudicated youth involved in the process. . Adjustments of the project include: (1)implement of a structured nutrition education component to better support healthy food choices both while in the program and to follow the youth upon completion of the program. Nutrition education will utilize the Nutritionally Yours curriculum and will focus on exposure to both raw and cooked whole foods from the garden; and (2) incorporate the benefits of therapeutic horticulture that are attained by hands-on gardening; and (3), Establish the pastured poultry phase of gardening to include a fully integrated approach to sustainable agriculture(i.e. the life cycle of feeding chickens green waste from the garden, collecting chicken manure to fertilize the garden and collecting eggs for consumption) During the next reporting period, Program Investigators and key personnel involved in this project will share and present the accomplishments and experiences from the project at SUAREC events, community programs , schools, additional detention centers, and at professional and agriculture related meetings (eg. SSAWG, ARD, NEDA, etc.). The team will share our experiences, achievements and pitfall with policy makers and judges. Written resources including will be developed to assist with replicating the program at additional detention centers and schools where interest and applicability applies. These resources will include fact sheets, info-graphics, and curricula.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During the 2014-2015 school year, 727 youth at THRIVE, a boarding school for adjudicated youth, and 550 incarcerated youth at Bridge City Correctional Center for Youth (BCCY) were exposed to gardening experiences that allowed the students to implement a garden from the ground up and see the advantage of planting and growing their own fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants. Gardens were established and maintained at both Thrive and BCCY. Thrive's campus garden is a 100ft in diameter in ground 'circle garden' with rows made by the students and planted and maintained by the students with SUAREC team guidance. The BCCY garden contains four 4x8 raised beds and four in ground 30 ft rows. At both locations students learned the dietary advantages of eating raw produce in salads, but also are taught cooking skills through cooking classes. A staff culinary chef at BCCY utilized produce from the garden to prepare small meals for the incarcerated youth to try. This program provided leverage to other similar extension activities within Southern University. For example the Developing Garden Skills as a Transition Tool from Prison to Community Project worked with the St. Landry Parish government in Opelousas to teach adult inmates to establish and maintain market sized gardens. Thus these projects helped the participants to gain valuable horticultural skills that could benefit incarcerated women and men infinding focus for their lives post-release. The participants gained hands-on experience, enjoyed working out in the field and many expressed their desire to start vegetable farming upon their release.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Ghebreiyessus, Yemane, Kelli Kollins and Stephanie Elwood. Poster presentation "Developing garden skills as a transition tool from prison to community"; poster presented at the Association of 1890 Research Directors, Inc. annual meeting in Jacksonville, FL. April 2013
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Gremillion-Monroe, Christie, Poster presentation "The Young Man's Garden That Thrives"; USDA/NIFA 1890 CBG project directors meeting, Washington DC. September 16-17, 2014
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Elwood, Stephanie, Poster presentation "Using Agriculture as a Fast Track Vehicle for Change through Experiential Learning"; National Extensions Directors and Administrators Annual Conference, 2015
|
Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Due to the abrupt closure of Jetson Correctional Center for Youth, the project was postponed until the youth were reassigned and relocated. At that time the project shifted focus to teaching 6th and 7th grade adjudicated youth at THRIVE. THRIVE is a public, tuition-free, charter boarding school that serves at-risk students from East Baton Rouge. THRIVE is for students in grades 6 through 12. It provides students with an outstanding education in a holistically nurturing family-like residential setting. Changes/Problems: Due to the abrupt closure of Jetson Correctional Center for Youth, the project was postponed until the youth were reassigned and relocated. At that time the project shifted focus to teaching 6th and 7th grade adjudicated youth at THRIVE. THRIVE is a public, tuition-free, charter boarding school that serves at-risk students from East Baton Rouge. THRIVE is for students in grades 6 through 12. It provides students with an outstanding education in a holistically nurturing family-like residential setting. Upon locating youth from JCCY, which were relocated to the Bridge City Center for Youth in New Orleans, LA. Youth expressed high levels of concern to continue with the gardening project. They communicated that the garden provided a stress reliever and a since of normality, as well as giving them the opportunity to learn new skills and a trade. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Progress through out the project has been submitted quartly to Southern Ag Center's Communication Department and to THRIVE Communication Department and Board of Directors. Project information was shared with the greater professional community: one oral presentation was made at the 71ST Professional Agricultural Workers Conference. Tuskegee, Alabama and one poster presentation made at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture 1890 Capacity Building Grants Program Project Directors' Meeting. Washington, DC. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Current implemtation of the program will continue; however the delivery method will be modified tosuit the current youth partipating in the program.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
StartingApril 2014,76 youth from THRIVE were exposed to gardening experiences thatallowed the students to implement a garden for the ground up and see the advantage of planting and growing their own garden. Several workshops were held at the garden site over the summer for the THRIVE students to attend. This garden also help feed the surrounding community during the summer.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Christie Monroe, Kasundra Cyrus, Yemane Ghebreyessus, Reuben C. Walker, Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Using Agriculture as a Fast Track Vehicle For Change through Experiential Learning. 71ST Professional Agricultural Workers Conference. Tuskegee, Alabama, December 8-10, 2013.
Presentation Title: Gardens for Incarcerated Youth
Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group
January 2014
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
GremillionMonroe, Christie. "The Young Mens Garden That Thrives", poster presentation at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture 1890 Capacity Building Grants Program Project Directors Meeting. Washington, DC. September 16-17, 2014
|
Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The project targets troubled youth ages 13-17 incarcerated in state correctional facility. The youth are housed atJetsonCorretional Center for Youth, where youth are labeled by the Judicial System as "Fast Track" beacuse the incarceration time is 90 to 120 days. However,many of the youth are not released in 120 days. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? As a result of the youth attending class they have developed awareness and increased knowledge in leadership development, gardening plans, agriculture programs, marketing skills and life skills. The youth was given the opportunity to speak at the Southern University Ag Center annual Youth and Family Exposition in June 2013. The youth had a panel discussion of the project and answered questions from other youths. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Progress through out the project has been submitted quartley to Southern University Ag Center's Communication Department and to the Office of Juvenile Justice's Communication Department. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Current implementation of the program will continue; however the delivery will be modified to increase agriscience and life skills based on career opportunities and goals. Animal Science will be incorparated into the program in which youth will develop knowledge of basic animal hubandry. This comprehensive program will help youth who may want to pursue degrees or join the work force in agriculture.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The project has provided youth with laboratory experiences for a conventional and organic gardening. The youth have gained knowledge by using the basic principles and practices of soil testing, natural fertilizers, planting, harvesting, processing and marketing. Family strengthening has given the youth opportunity to build communication skills through group discussions, peer to peer counseling to address certain anger issues and some personal and family obstacle. In this reporting year 369 youth participated in the program.
Publications
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