Horticulture program returns to women’s institution in Truro
The Horticulture Skills Training Program, offered at Nova Institution for Women in Truro, is operational again after being interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nova Institution for Women is a multi-level (medium/minimum and maximum) security facility. Dalhousie Agricultural Campus’s Extended Learning Department in Bible Hill delivers the horticultural program in partnership with the Correctional
Service of Canada (CSC/CORCAN).
The goal of the program is to help incarcerated women gain technical skills for high demand employment areas of the horticulture industry. Other benefits include an understanding of where food comes from, healthy food choices, the importance of maintaining a healthy environment for plant growth and creating an optimum environment for themselves, their children and society.
The Horticulture Skills Training Program runs yearround and consists of eight courses: organic vegetable grower; garden fundamentals, landscape maintenance worker, landscape installation techniques, plant propagation, garden centre worker, horticultural business exploration and horticultural business operation.
There are typically 10 participants in the program at one time, although currently the limit is four as a result of Public Health measures.
Lindsay Jennings, program facilitator, offers expertise in programming, horticulture and horticultural therapy to create an engaging and supportive learning environment for participants. As part of the program, Jennings leads the participants in a experiential learning experience, using the greenhouse and grounds at the institution as a true living lab to demonstrate, develop and assess the skills required to be successful in the program.
For more information on the initiative visit the Horticulture Skills Training Program at dal.ca/exl or email extended.learning@dal.ca