Gardening Behind The Gates

By Renee Tokar

Michigan Horticultural Therapy Association

The article below was written by a prisoner at Pine River Correctional Facility and a worker/greenhouse grower in their horticulture program. What is not mentioned in the article is that Dave has been instrumental in growing thousands of pounds of vegetables for the prison kitchen, community soup kitchens, and other charitable organizations. He has assisted, along with other prisoners, in the propagation of trees and native plants for the DNR and Habitat for Humanity, flowers for our highways’ Welcome Centers, design projects for garden clubs, and countless other endeavors throughout the state. Dave is one of many prisoners who are helping themselves while giving back to our communities.

My name is Dave and I am in my 30th year of serving time in the Michigan Department of Corrections. For the first 14 years I was pretty much involved in most of the negative behavior and conduct within the prison system. I really did not have any direction or goals in my life. At that point in time I had taken most everything the MDOC had to offer. I was kind of looking for something to help me change the path that I was on.

One day a few prisoners asked me if I would help them. Like myself, they had taken everything that the MDOC had to offer and were looking for something more. They wanted to bring the Michigan State University Master Gardener course into the prison. I guess I sat and kind of wondered, I could not for the life of me think why they would be asking me to be a part of this. For all I knew potatoes grew on trees and you bought your flowers at the local Wal-Mart; if you waited long enough you could get them for half price.

I did not have much more to do besides my job so I jumped in with both feet. Within a year I was a certified Master Gardener and chairman of a new horticulture program at the prison. I soon found myself with the knowledge that in fact potatoes did not grow on trees and it was not good to wait to get your flowers until Wal-Mart marked then down to half price. Within five years of taking my first Master Gardener class I was teaching sections of the class. I would have never guessed that I would be able to be something like that. I started to interact and work with, not against, the facility administration. I learned how local governments and local charities work. I found myself enjoying learning again. I hate school and could not wait to be done with it. Now I enjoy the learning. In the horticulture field you learn every day. I now thrive on learning and passing on to others what I have learned. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that I can teach someone something.

I have proven to myself through horticulture that I can do positive things, that I can be a positive influence in someone’s life and that I can help others to learn that they too can do positive things; that they can be unselfish and help others. On top of the knowledge that I have gained from working in the horticulture field, the peace of mind that I have gained is invaluable. As you may be able to guess the prison system is a pretty stressful environment. There is nothing more relaxing than listening to some music and planting and caring for plants. I never thought I would say this, but yes even pulling weeds is relaxing at times. There is a hidden calming effect to weeding.

I am within a few years of possibly being released. Sixteen years ago I never thought I would reach that date. I am positive that learning and working in the horticulture field is the only reason I am close to being released. It gave me a direction in life. It allowed me an avenue for stress relief. It helped me to grow up while allowing me to know that I can do positive things. Horticulture allowed me to experience that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you help someone learn. Gardening has helped me to reconnect with family member and friends. Rather than always taking, I am now able to help with problems that they have around their own house and gardens. You cannot imagine how huge it is to now have phone calls and letters where family members and friends ask me for advice and help rather than me always asking for help. Horticulture has really changed my life and I am sure as I get older it will help me keep active.


			Gardening Behind The Gates By Renee Tokar Michigan Horticultural Therapy Association The article below was written by a prisoner at Pine River Correctional Facility and a worker/greenhouse grower in their horticulture program. What is not mentioned in the article is that Dave has been instrumental in growing thousands of pounds of vegetables for the prison kitchen, community soup kitchens, and other charitable organizations. He has assisted, along with other prisoners, in the propagation of trees and native plants for the DNR and Habitat for Humanity, flowers for our highways’ Welcome Centers, design projects for garden clubs, and countless other endeavors throughout the state. Dave is one of many prisoners who are helping themselves while giving back to our communities. My name is Dave and I am in my 30th year of serving time in the Michigan Department of Corrections. For the first 14 years I was pretty much involved in most of the negative behavior and conduct within the prison system. I really did not have any direction or goals in my life. At that point in time I had taken most everything the MDOC had to offer. I was kind of looking for something to help me change the path that I was on. One day a few prisoners asked me if I would help them. Like myself, they had taken everything that the MDOC had to offer and were looking for something more. They wanted to bring the Michigan State University Master Gardener course into the prison. I guess I sat and kind of wondered, I could not for the life of me think why they would be asking me to be a part of this. For all I knew potatoes grew on trees and you bought your flowers at the local Wal-Mart; if you waited long enough you could get them for half price. I did not have much more to do besides my job so I jumped in with both feet. Within a year I was a certified Master Gardener and chairman of a new horticulture program at the prison. I soon found myself with the knowledge that in fact potatoes did not grow on trees and it was not good to wait to get your flowers until Wal-Mart marked then down to half price. Within five years of taking my first Master Gardener class I was teaching sections of the class. I would have never guessed that I would be able to be something like that. I started to interact and work with, not against, the facility administration. I learned how local governments and local charities work. I found myself enjoying learning again. I hate school and could not wait to be done with it. Now I enjoy the learning. In the horticulture field you learn every day. I now thrive on learning and passing on to others what I have learned. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that I can teach someone something. I have proven to myself through horticulture that I can do positive things, that I can be a positive influence in someone’s life and that I can help others to learn that they too can do positive things; that they can be unselfish and help others. On top of the knowledge that I have gained from working in the horticulture field, the peace of mind that I have gained is invaluable. As you may be able to guess the prison system is a pretty stressful environment. There is nothing more relaxing than listening to some music and planting and caring for plants. I never thought I would say this, but yes even pulling weeds is relaxing at times. There is a hidden calming effect to weeding. I am within a few years of possibly being released. Sixteen years ago I never thought I would reach that date. I am positive that learning and working in the horticulture field is the only reason I am close to being released. It gave me a direction in life. It allowed me an avenue for stress relief. It helped me to grow up while allowing me to know that I can do positive things. Horticulture allowed me to experience that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you help someone learn. Gardening has helped me to reconnect with family member and friends. Rather than always taking, I am now able to help with problems that they have around their own house and gardens. You cannot imagine how huge it is to now have phone calls and letters where family members and friends ask me for advice and help rather than me always asking for help. Horticulture has really changed my life and I am sure as I get older it will help me keep active.