HCSO trustie farm welcomes plentiful harvest in 2023
In a remarkable display of self-sufficiency and community engagement, the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Trustie Farm Program has achieved a bountiful harvest in 2023.
Under the leadership of Sheriff Tatum, HCSO reports that the farm crew this year has reaped bountiful harvests, including 13 lbs of peppers, 510 lbs of squash and zucchini, and 27 lbs of tomatoes.
Sheriff Tatum has been spearheading this initiative for the past five years, using incarcerated labor to sustainably produce food for the inmates at the HCSO jail. The program not only ensures access to nutritious meals but also estimates a substantial annual savings of nearly $150,000 for taxpayers.
By growing their own produce, the HCSO farm breaks away from the typical prison system practice of providing subpar, cost-cutting meals. Instead, inmates are served real food at a reduced cost of 50 cents per meal, compared to the average $1.50 in other systems. Sheriff Tatum emphasized the importance of feeding inmates quality meals.
The trustie farm goes beyond vegetable cultivation. Hens from the farm provide the jail with fresh eggs and pigs supply a steady source of meat. Sheriff Tatum takes pride in the farm’s naturalistic approach in practicing pesticide-free farming, with the exception of minimal use of diatomaceous earth.
The success of the trustie farm program not only fosters self-sufficiency and cost savings but also promotes a sense of pride and purpose among the inmates involved. Hopkins County sets an example for other communities by prioritizing fresh, locally sourced food and sustainable practices within its correctional system.
By Taylor Nye. Photos by HCSO
