Feeding Cleveland: Urban Agriculture
Cleveland Public Schools Horticulture Program
An article in the Sunday Plain Dealer dated, March 24, 1907, titled “Gardens in the Heart of the City” describes the beginning of the innovative Cleveland Public Schools, (CPS) horticulture program that trained many generations of gardeners. A 1948 report, (courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library) "Gardens in the Cleveland Public Schools" written by then Supervisor of School Gardens, Paul R. Young, is a snapshot of the program as it existed in the post-WWII years.
In the 1990’s Ohio State University, (OSU) Master Gardeners of Cuyahoga County re-opened and cleaned the garden classroom that was locked-up and unused for over 20 years. In 1996 they created and teach a hands-on science curriculum for fourth graders at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School. Since the 1980’s it has been the site for a community garden. Read a poem by a former Benjamin Franklin School student about her experience in the program.
Tending the Press - Cleveland Schools garden are Roberta Turner (left), Anthony Quinn, Theodore Crawford, and Suzette Adams of the Miles School
tract garden, June 1975. View image.
Master Gardener Ed Kucia examines the root system
of a plant with four Benjamin Franklin School fourth
graders. View image.