Garden labor pays off with fresh produce

Offenders at McCook's Work Ethic Camp are learning direct lessons about the benefit of honest labor this summer, thanks to one of the best gardening seasons in recent years.

Their work in the WEC garden, which ideally takes place in the cooler morning hours, pays off in extra fresh garden produce to supplement their regular diet.

"We're bringing in three 5-gallon buckets of zucchini a day, two buckets of green beans -- they had their first batch of sweet corn the other day," said Sgt. Mike Towery, who heads up the garden project.

Cabbage, onions, beans and tomatoes are also coming on, and "we've been digging potatoes right along," said Dave Korte, public information officer for the facility.

What food isn't consumed by WEC residents is channeled into organizations that provide food for the needy, he said.

The Community Corrections Center-Lincoln reports similar success with its 11⁄4-acre garden, which last year produced 3,000 pounds of tomatoes as well as the other garden fare, saving the state about $7,000 on its food bill.

With this year's better weather, officials expect that figure to more than double, as produce goes into salads, pizzas, stews, jalapeņo jelly, cookies and cakes made with zucchini, dill and sweet pickles.

All together, there are eight prison gardens across the state.

Fortunately, you don't have to be in prison -- or even have a garden -- to benefit from this year's bountiful harvest of produce.

Greg Ibach, director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, is urging all Nebraskans to join him in celebrating Farmers Market Week in Nebraska this week.

McCook's farmers market takes place at the old West Ward school at West Fifth and C Street on Saturday mornings, but you'd better get there early.

There are also several produce farms in the area where you can pick your own vegetables or buy fresh produce right from the garden.

The state offers "Your Guide to Nebraska Fresh Produce" as a way to find their businesses. You can obtain it by calling (800) 422-6692 or visiting 222.agr.ne.gov.

The state is also promoting farmers' markets and fresh produce growers through a "Nebraska, Our Best to You" campaign, funded through a USDA grant.

So if you haven't been enjoying this year's cornucopia of fresh, locally produced vegetables, there's never been a better time to do so.