The foodbank garden at South Idaho Correctional Institution is coming along.
This year SICI inmates are growing seven acres of butternut and acorn squash and three acres of red potatoes.
SICI Ofc. Josh Stricklin, who oversees the inmate workers, says they had to carefully monitor soil moisture levels during the early heat wave that hit the Treasure Valley this spring. He says the crops weathered the high temps well.
This is sixth year the Idaho Department of Correction has teamed up with the Idaho Foodbank to provide fresh produce for hungry Idaho families.
The garden receives virtually no taxpayer funding. Everything is donated, from the seed that is planted in early spring to the use of the trucks which haul the produce to the foodbank's warehouse in the fall.