The two organizations in March began planting tomatoes in the greenhouse at the Global Impact STEM Academy and now plan to give away approximately 500 of those plants to the community.
The plants will be available for pickup from 4 to 7 p.m. May 23 at the Enon Farmer’s Market and from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 1 at the Springfield Farmer’s Market.
“We hope to give away all 500,” said Michael Cooper, Clark County public information officer.
South Charleston-based PayGro donated compost for the project. The container garden pouches are made from recycled bottles and once the tomatoes have bloomed, the containers can be reused for up to five years.
The composting facility receives food waste from commercial businesses. The waste is then converted and used for compost, potting soil and mulch.
The program is funded by the Solid Waste District Program as an education piece and costs approximately less than $1,000, said Cooper.
The tomato plant pouches were filled by PRIDE inmates from the Clark County Jail.
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