Sergeant Michael (Mac) McLeon is a correctional officer currently assigned to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Michael Unit in Anderson County, Texas. Mac is part of a team who developed a method of growing crops and herbs within the prison system using aquaponics and hydroponics to provide fresh food for offenders, food banks, homeless shelters and children’s homes. Even though offenders are incarcerated, through the program they can make a positive difference. Sgt. Mac McLeon, correctional officer in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Michael Unit in Anderson County, Texas, will speak about a correctional gardening program he helped develop. Mac teaches offenders coming from urban areas a new skill that can fuel a growing industry while saving taxpayers money. He is the first correctional officer to serve as a member of the American Correctional Association’s Sustainability Committee. Mac completed numerous aquaponics and hydroponic research courses and completed the Master Gardeners Program through Texas A&M’s Agrilife Extension. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
18 сен 2024
