Rogers State Prison's farm operations and vocational programs: what families should know
If your loved one is at Rogers State Prison, their work assignments and training opportunities likely connect to the facility's large farm operation. Here's how the farm setup and vocational programs affect daily routines — and what that means for building skills that matter.
Rogers State Prison does more than house people - it runs an extensive farming operation that supplies vegetables, meat, and milk to correctional facilities across the state. This shapes what jobs look like inside. Farm Operations is also listed as a formal vocational/on-the-job training (OJT) program, meaning some farm roles offer structured skill development, not just daily labor.
Note: “Dairy” shows up at Rogers as both a work detail and a vocational/OJT program, so it may function as hands-on facility work and a training opportunity at the same time.
Work Details
- ✓ Swine Unit
- ✓ Beef Cattle Operation
- ✓ General Farm Labor
- ✓ Canning Plant (cannery)
- ✓ Vehicle Maintenance
- ✓ Laundry
- ✓ Warehouse
- ✓ Grounds & Institutional Maintenance
- ✓ Recycling
Work assignments at Rogers fall into two broad categories: keeping the institution running and supporting the farm mission. Some people get placed in farm-facing details. Others land in support roles - laundry, warehouse, maintenance, recycling. Where someone ends up depends on security classification and what the facility needs staffed at the time. Two people at the same prison can have very different options.
Vocational Programs
- ✓ Farm Operations
- ✓ Cannery
- ✓ Dairy
- ✓ Barbering
- ✓ Warehousing
- ✓ Sanitation
- ✓ Wastewater Treatment
- ✓ Food Preparation
- ✓ Clerical
- ✓ Auto Repair
Look for training that builds a real skill, not just a way to fill time. Rogers' vocational/OJT programs include farm-aligned options like Farm Operations, Dairy, and Cannery, plus trades like Auto Repair, Clerical work, Food Preparation, and Warehousing. Even inside a prison, these programs teach habits that transfer: safe equipment handling, shop practices, food-service workflow, inventory management, basic office tasks. All useful when planning for re-entry.
- Encourage them to ask about openings - Have your loved one speak with their counselor or appropriate staff about what vocational/OJT programs are currently available and what the sign-up process looks like.
- Write a focused, supportive note - A short letter saying you support them pursuing vocational participation can help reinforce motivation, especially if they’re trying to build a routine around work and training.
- Keep expectations realistic - Remind them (and yourself) that job and program placement can change based on security status, staffing, and facility needs.
Reminder: Rogers’ large farming mission and day-to-day operational needs shape which work details and training opportunities are available, and assignments can shift accordingly.
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