Growing Kentucky Growers: A Project for Prison Horticulture Education Expansion

This project is needed to address a specific workforce gap in Kentucky''s greenhouse industry, while also enhancing the career prospects and reintegration of students in the Kentucky correctional system. This will be achieved by the expansion of existing OSHA credentials to include greenhouse specific curriculum. The main audiences and stakeholders include: ? Students in Kentucky''s state-operated prisons, who will gain specialized skills to secure employment upon release through participation in the horticulture construction training program. ? Kentucky Department of Corrections (KDOC), our partnership with KDOC will ensure the program is integrated into existing credentialing programs and reaches a diverse inmate population. ? Kentucky''s greenhouse industry, which has expressed a need for skilled technicians in greenhouse construction and maintenance. Our program will provide a pipeline of qualified graduates, addressing this workforce gap and supporting industry growth. Our project purpose is threefold: 1. Address Workforce Needs: By providing training in horticulture construction, we will equip students with skills directly applicable to in-demand jobs in the greenhouse industry. 2. Enhance Reintegration: Offering specialized, industry-focused education will increase students'' chances of securing stable employment upon release, reducing recidivism and supporting successful reintegration. 3. Strengthen Partnerships: Collaborations with KDOC and the greenhouse industry will ensure the program remains responsive to workforce needs and provides students with opportunities for mentorship, internships, and employment.