The SEN Agriculture Department
Growing Skills, Confidence, Independence, and Community!
The SEN Agriculture Platform is dedicated to empowering individuals with special educational needs (SEN) through inclusive agricultural education and training. Recognizing the therapeutic, educational, and economic value of agriculture, the platform promotes hands-on learning opportunities that build life skills, self-confidence, and pathways to independence. Through thoughtfully designed programs, it encourages engagement with farming, gardening, and sustainable practices tailored to diverse abilities. The platform serves as a bridge between traditional agricultural methods and innovative approaches that accommodate different learning styles and needs. By integrating agricultural activities into special education frameworks, the SEN Agriculture Platform supports both personal development and community inclusion. It also aims to spark an appreciation for environmental stewardship, healthy living, and food security among its participants. Aligned with CESC’s broader mission, the platform ensures that every learner, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to cultivate growth, resilience, and purpose through meaningful agricultural experiences.
Department Chair
Mr. Michael Fraser, MSW
Michael D. Fraser, MSW is a seasoned social worker, educator, and community advocate, bringing over two decades of expertise to his leadership of the SEN Agriculture Platform at CESC. He holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from California State University, complemented by advanced certifications in Clinical Supervision and Adoption Programs.
Michael’s career spans vital roles in both social services and education. His experience includes serving as a Training Liaison Officer with the Child Care Protection Agency in Guyana, and supervising Family Service Specialists at the State of New Jersey Division of Youth & Family Services. Throughout his work, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to mentoring, training, and empowering social work professionals to deliver effective, compassionate care.
In academia, Michael has contributed as an Adjunct Lecturer at Essex County College and as an Instructor for virtual courses, teaching on the critical role of social workers in diagnostic processes. His educational philosophy emphasizes collaboration, real-world application, and interdisciplinary team approaches, principles he brings to CESC's SEN Agriculture Platform.
Beyond his professional commitments, Michael is deeply involved in community service through leadership roles with the Columbia University School of Social Work Alumni Association and various health and outreach initiatives. His dedication to service, education, and community upliftment positions him uniquely to guide the SEN Agriculture Platform’s mission of integrating social support frameworks into sustainable agricultural development.
Project 1 - 2025
Belladrum Shade House Farm
Belladrum Greenhouse Farm, located in West Coast Berbice, Guyana, is a community-driven agricultural initiative under the ProBella Plus Future Leaders Cooperative Society. Founded in 2017, the farm emerged from a vision to empower young people through sustainable agriculture, skill development, and local food security. Led by retired social worker Michael Fraser, the project was inspired by a call for innovative programs to tackle youth unemployment and build stronger communities.
With support from organizations like NARI and Partners of America, Belladrum Greenhouse Farm was built within a year and has since become a learning hub for children, teenagers, and adults in the area. Participants gain hands-on experience in seedling preparation, soil mixing, planting, and maintaining crops such as celery, lettuce, pak choi, eggplant, and peppers. The farm not only supplies organic produce to the surrounding community, reducing the need for long-distance travel to buy fresh vegetables, but it also offers young people valuable employment opportunities and promotes healthier lifestyles.
Despite challenges, the farm has cultivated a sense of pride, teamwork, and self-reliance among its members. Volunteers from local communities and even international supporters, like members of the diaspora, have contributed to the growth of the farm, strengthening its sustainability and future potential. Looking ahead, the vision for Belladrum Greenhouse Farm includes expanding to unused lands for specialized crops and continuing to serve as a model for agricultural innovation and community empowerment across Guyana.
