June 28, 2016
Farming is not only found out in the rural fields of California but also found at the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department Jail, #PDC (Pitchess Detention Center) .This program was created with a collaboration between Jail Staff Operations, 5-Keys Charter School, Inmates Services Bureau (ISB), Education Based Incarceration (#EBI), and Jail Enterprises. In this agriculture program, inmates learn some of the most important aspects of agricultural academics and hands-on vocational work experience. The intention of the program is to teach work skills to inmates who, once released, will have marketable skills to seek gainful employment.
The Wayside Farm School uses 7 different PDC Agriculture sites and creates one of the most integrated agriculture educational programs in Southern California, by teaching and directly involving inmates in a variety of farming operations and marketing skills. The curriculum and field work includes; soil development, land management, greenhouse management, community gardens venues, grape and fruit tree orchards. In addition to herb gardens, large scale hay and cover crop production. They also learn various types of irrigation systems from large scale wheel lines to drip lines, flat lines and tape.
The produce generated from the farm is sold on site to employees, while inmates learn about the aspects of selling produce and food safety. Weekly agricultural team meetings are held to discuss program issues, solicit support, share ideas, knowledge, and information.
Contact Information: Education Based Incarceration - (323) 526-5380, ebi@lasd.org
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Wayside Farm School
Farming at Pitchess Detention Center
Learning agricultural academics
Inmates learning work skills
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