Prison farm goes organic

Massachusetts - Mention the term organic and you might think of left-over flower children communing with nature in rural Vermont. Inmates in orange jumpsuits don't usually come to mind. But officials running the 60-acre Plymouth County Correctional Facility's farm think going organic may be the farm's best chance for survival.

Farm representatives are looking into the idea of becoming certified organic, a designation that could keep the financially struggling farm in business by making it eligible for grant money and helping it attract a new group of environmentally conscious customers.

The farm is even applying for grant money from the Newman's Own Foundation, an organization run by actor Paul Newman that supports nonprofit organic farms, among other causes.

‘‘We've got the historical value there,'' said Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonough, whose office oversees the farm. He was referring to the farm being the location of the first stagecoach house in Plymouth and being the largest remaining operating farm in the town.

‘‘Now, if we could do organic, that's modern stuff. It would meet everybody's needs,'' he said.

Generally speaking, organic farms do not use chemicals or toxic fertilizers. Food grown on them is free from artificial ingredients and preservatives.

As a first inquiry about becoming organic, farm officials met recently with a Kingston farmer involved with the New England Organic Farmers' Association to learn how difficult it would be to get certified.

The county is looking into the situation at a time when the taxpayer-supported farm, which ran a $100,000 deficit last fiscal year, has been facing difficulties.

For years, the farm was used to provide food for inmates at the old Obery Street house of correction and jail. As the prison population grew, the farm's usefulness as a food source dwindled.

Today, the farm raises cattle and grows flowers and plants that are sold at a roadside stand. It is still worked by six inmates, two correction officers and two part-time employees.

Ron Maribett, the Kingston farmer who met with the farm officials, said that to be classified as an organic farm, the county would need to receive certification from one of several agencies that operate nationwide. Certification involves inspections, detailed record keeping and soil testing, according to the Organic Trade Association.

Peggy Miars, communications director for California Certified Organic Farmers, one of the largest organic certification groups in the country, said she has only heard of two prison farms that are organic: one in Florida, another in the San Francisco area.

An application from the Plymouth County farm would be met with interest, she said.

Supporters of the idea say going organic could be just the boost the farm needs.

New Plymouth District Court and county Registry of Deeds buildings, and Jordan Hospital expansion have eaten away at the farm's land, reducing its size from 110 acres to 60 acres. 

The farm also was forced to sell off more than 50 cattle and close its dairy operation in 2002 because the operation was losing more than $400,000 annually.

Before selling off the dairy herd, the county applied for a grant from Newman's Own to support an organic dairy operation, but that application was rejected.

The farm is trying again, this time in an effort to convince Newman's Own to support its effort to attain an organic farm designation. Officials expect to hear whether their grant application is accepted by the end of the year, said Grace Earle, McDonough's chief executive assistant.

Sam Bartlett is a member of Friends of Plymouth County Farm, a group that wants to ensure the farm's future. He said emphasizing natural and organic products would allow the farm to reach out to a different clientele. 

‘‘It's the thing now,'' he said. ‘‘There's such a market for it.''

The farm already employs many of the principals required to be certified as organic.

Farm superintendent Ted DeCristofaro Jr., who has worked there since 1987, said the farm doesn't use chemicals on the items it grows.

For example, instead of spraying flowers and plants with pesticides, DeCristofaro uses an organic garlic spray. That requires more frequent spraying, he said.

‘‘It just takes a little more effort,'' DeCristofaro said.

As for the cattle business, this time it is raising cows for their meat. The ‘‘beefers,'' as they are called, will be

sold at auction. They get free reign over the farm's 40 acres of pasture.

‘‘With the beefers, we don't use any chemicals,'' DeCristofaro said.

In addition to the prospect of becoming organic, farm officials are also hoping that new greenhouses and a new farm stand will increase sales and boost revenue.

They hope the farm will at least break even within the next two years. 

‘‘At that point, the farm will just about be self-sufficient,'' McDonough said.

Article: ledger.southofboston.com