In-Prison Programming:
Our Insight Gardens

Land Together works with over 450 participants a year in 9 prisons throughout California, including two medical prisons and both women’s facilities.

Our 48 week program curriculum flows through four arcs of learning:

  • We are all connected.

    An introduction to systems, thinking, and principles of ecology to better understand and strengthen our connections to self, community, and nature.

  • Gardening from the Ground Up

    Permaculture, landscape design, environmental stewardship, food systems - and more, as hands on learning and lessons for living with intention, empathy, and balance.

  • Tending our Inner Gardens

    Drawing from our gardening insights, we turn inward with a focus on mindfulness, creative expression, self care, self management, personal growth, and healing from trauma.

  • Turning Insights into action

    Preparing for reentry, we set goals, build the leadership, advocacy, and life skills needed to make positive changes in our lives, our communities, and the world.

Land Together utilizes an “inner” and “outer” gardening approach that blends eco-literacy, eco-therapy, environmental stewardship, and mindfulness education with hands-on training in permaculture gardening and landscape design.

We also carry out personal and professional life skills workshops on topics ranging from effective communication and conflict resolution to financial literacy and goal-setting.

Diverse forms of creative expression are incorporated as opportunities for self reflection, healing and cultural empowerment.

Each of our sites includes a vibrant garden that is co-designed and maintained by participants. Utilizing innovative permaculture, composting, and water conservation techniques, our gardens become thriving ecosystems, restorative sanctuaries, dynamic living classrooms, and sources of nutritious fruits and vegetables. 

Food insecurity among incarcerated people is among the highest of any population. The large majority of incarcerated people in the U.S. rarely or never have fresh fruits or vegetables. Land Together advocates for policy and practice changes to improve food security and nutrition for incarcerated people by increasing access to the produce grown in our prison gardens.