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In 2009, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) launched an aquaculture program to provide inmates with an enriching career-based learning opportunity as well as to reduce overall food costs.
In a recent Facebook post, the CCSO shared its recent harvest of 478 catfish ranging from 1.5-4 lbs. each. The catfish arrive on-site as “fry” and are raised in a hydroponic vat before being placed in a local pond to grow to maturity.
Additionally, inmates raise a variety of fruits and vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, onions, carrots, cauliflower and tomatoes, and more than 200 pounds of lettuce are produced weekly.
– Marie Gabrielle Patasin, C2 Communications
