{"id":1927,"date":"2017-06-26T14:02:58","date_gmt":"2017-06-26T21:02:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/engage\/?p=1927"},"modified":"2017-06-26T14:02:58","modified_gmt":"2017-06-26T21:02:58","slug":"custody-youth-greenhouse-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/engage\/2017\/06\/26\/custody-youth-greenhouse-project\/","title":{"rendered":"In-custody youth greenhouse project"},"content":{"rendered":"
Based on a 2016 Digital Measures impact report submitted by Lynn Long<\/a>, Extension horticulturist and co-county leader for Wasco County. Michelle Sager<\/a>, Master Gardener education program assistant, supported the project. Edited by Ann Marie Murphy.<\/h5>\n

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\n \"Wasco<\/a>\n
Wasco County Master Gardeners working in the NORCOR greenhouse preparing plants for sale.<\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n

A greenhouse, purchased many years ago by Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facilities (NORCOR) teaching staff, languished empty and unused. In 2009, OSU Master Gardeners (MGs) in Wasco County\u00a0 began a partnership with the facility to share the greenhouse space originally intended to be used by student detainees as part of their science curriculum. NORCOR houses youth from Wasco, Hood River, Sherman, and Gilliam counties.<\/p>\n

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The MGs work with NORCOR youth to grow a large variety of plants\u2014including\u00a0 annuals, herbs, perennials, vegetables, and ornamental grasses\u2014for their fundraising spring plant sale. In exchange, they share their knowledge and passion for plants with the detained youth and a portion of the funds are used to operate the greenhouse.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe people who attend the fair often tell Master Gardener volunteers that they intentionally buy our plants to support the NORCOR youth and show appreciation for our involvement with the NORCOR project.\u201d*<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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NORCOR provides the greenhouse, water and power along with the staffing required to monitor the in-custody youth while in the greenhouse. Master Gardeners provide hands-on learning experiences for the students and NORCOR\u2019s high school education staff provides academic support in the form of theoretical science curriculum.<\/p>\n

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For the MGs, preparation begins in the fall when they scour seed catalogs for an array of plant varieties that are anticipated to grow well in the region and are marketable at the spring plant sale. The seeds are ordered and the greenhouse is prepared for the spring growing season. In January, supervised greenhouse sessions with the youth begin.<\/p>\n

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\n \"WCMGA<\/a>\n
Selling plants raised in the NORCOR greenhouse at the WCMGA Spring Plant Fair<\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n

Over the years, Master Gardeners recorded the number of seeds planted and planting dates and bloom times in order to produce marketable plants that are mostly sold at the one-day WCMGA Spring Plant Fair<\/a>. From January to May, more than 250 different varieties\u2014totaling approximately 6,500 plants\u2014are grown in the NORCOR greenhouse.<\/p>\n

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NORCOR students are able to participate under close NORCOR staff supervision after they have maintained several days of exemplary behavior as rated by NORCOR staff.\u00a0 Youth are paired with a Master Gardener to perform a variety of greenhouse tasks.\u00a0 MG volunteers develop mini greenhouse sessions for the students. Because many of the youth are residents for fewer than six weeks, short lessons with easily grasped concepts are essential. At the end of their sessions, students discuss what they learned that day.<\/p>\n

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Working with MGs in the greenhouse is a positive environment where students learn about seeds, soils, plant identification, transplanting, irrigation techniques, fertilizer schedules, temperature control, and the ability to work together with adults and co-workers. All while gaining life-long work skills and experience.<\/p>\n

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Student tasks include:<\/p>\n