A Detroit horticulture program is making a difference in the lives of its students

The upcoming June issue of Michigan Gardener (in stores Tuesday, June 2) contains an article about Detroit Pubic Schools’ Drew Horticulture Program. The article is written by Michael Craig, a Detroit Public School special education teacher and horticulture program instructor at the Charles Drew Transition Center. Craig was recently honored with the Michigan Lottery/WXYZ’s “Excellence in Education” Award. Here is an excerpt from Craig’s article:

I am excited to relay to you the story of The Drew Horticulture Program featuring The Gardens at Drew, and in the process, include tips and techniques from our program that you can implement in your own gardens. I’ll also explain how we battled and defeated the dreaded blossom end rot on our precious tomatoes.

The Charles Drew Transition Center, a Detroit Public School, is a unique post-secondary vocational center for the moderate and severely cognitively impaired, visually impaired, hearing impaired, physically impaired, and students with autism. The Transition Center, which serves special education students ages 18-26, is a one-of-a kind educational facility where students have access to an age-appropriate learning environment. The staff develops programs teaching vocational work skills leading to the possibility of employment, providing functional independence and full inclusion into community life.

Read the rest of the story on June 2. Pickup a copy of in stores or read our digital edition.

Watch Michael Craig’s acceptance of his award along with a
surprise visit from Tom Izzo, head coach, Michigan State basketball team