Garden Chapter 1012 – Macomb Regional Facility Update.

Thanks and congratulations go out to Chapter 1012 for their successful Garden Program. It has been a Hot Hot July, but that has not stopped the hard-working volunteer gardeners at Macomb Regional Facility NLA Chapter 1012. They spend 4 hour daily shifts Planting, Weeding and then Harvesting a crop of vegetables that are donated to local charities and foodbanks. I would like to personally thank the following members: Dwight Henley, John Nader, Jeff Julian, R. Russell, Scott Timmer, Mike Tulcz, R. Shabazz-El, Gary Ferguson, Brian Lazaro, C. Clark, and DJ Mason. A shout out also goes to Dario Cruz for the hard work he performed before being transferred. This project would not be possible without the dedication of its leader Tilmon Barnett and the Facility Warden’s support.

I received the following update from Tilmon that gives a preview of what will no doubt exceed a harvest of over 1,000 pounds of fresh produce.

Good Morning, Hope you’re well and your day is going well. I just came in from the garden, what a harvest! We did amazing!   So far this season Incarcerated Individuals from Macomb Regional Facility NLA Chapter 1012 have grown and donated over 455 pounds of fresh vegetables (prison grown) to local charities. 

We planted, weeded, grew, harvested and then donated the following vegetables to local charities.

7/22/25 we donated over 365 pounds of fresh vegetables to the Macomb Community Food Bank. This included:

130 lbs yellow squash, 

147 Ibs Zucchini, 

88 Ibs Cucumbers.

Prior to that shipment we had donated more than 13 pounds of Radishes to Macomb Food Pantry and

31 pounds of Yellow Squash 

36 pounds of Zucchini,  

8.5 pounds of Basil donated / sent to the New Haven Food Bank.

Great Job Guys. Your continued contributions from Prison to Society are truly appreciated. They are a blessing to others and an example of your humanity.

Conrad A

NLA