BILLINGS, MT - Seeds of prevention are being sown in an old warehouse behind the Salvation Army Thrift Store in downtown Billings.

For the past several months, a crew of four formerly homeless men have been starting a compost production facility. They live in nearby sober housing run by Rimrock Foundation. Compost is just the beginning of the plans for this partnership of Rimrock and the Salvation Army.

The vision that starts with compost (vegetable material only) includes creating permanent jobs, growing vegetables, feeding the community, recycling glass, teaching needy children art, music and agriculture, and helping them save for college. These projects will involve other community organizations, said Maj. Kevin Jackson, Billings Salvation Army leader.