Kansas 4-H horticulture projects lead to career at historic gardens

As Longwood Gardens celebrates its centennial year, one of its employees will have an opportunity to mark a different centennial, that of Kansas 4-H, which also is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

The 800,000 or more people who visit the Gardens this year might be unlikely to make a connection between the two, but most who visit the Gardens' conservatory will see flowers grown under the watchful eye of Jason Simpson, one of nine gardeners in production in the greenhouses for Longwood Gardens--and a former Kansas 4-H horticulture judge.

Longwood Gardens, created by industrialist Pierre S. du Pont, spans 1,050 acres and includes gardens, woodlands, and meadows. The property has 20 outdoor gardens; 20 indoor gardens, 11,000 different types of plants, numerous fountains and offers educational programs.

In preparation for the spring displays, Simpson has grown the hybrid lilies, blue hydrangeas and sprightly Gerbera daisies on display in the conservatory. He grows plants for the Gardens' popular Mediterranean Garden and, in the fall, what he describes as "lots and lots of mums" for seasonal displays in the famous conservatory.

The Bourbon County, Kan., native seems right at home in Pennsylvania's historic Brandywine Valley. But, what attracted Simpson to a career in horticulture? And, how did he land a job at one of the world's most prestigious horticultural centers?

Growing up as the oldest of four children, Simpson helped out on the family farm, a cattle and soybean operation, and also helped tend the family's vegetable garden. He joined 4-H and found that studying for 4-H horticulture judging contests expanded his world.

"Preparing for the contests requires learning about a wide variety of plants, including some that I might never have come in contact with locally," Simpson said. "The 4-H project and contests provided a background for choosing a high school project that involved re-landscaping our family's front yard," he said. "Working on the project made me realize this is what I wanted to do."

Simpson, who earned a bachelor's degree in horticulture at Kansas State University, worked one summer with a wholesale greenhouse in Hutchinson and, for six months, for a small cut-flower grower in Brookeville, Md., during his college years.

Meeting a representative from Longwood Gardens who spoke at a K-State Horticulture Club meeting on campus prompted Simpson to apply for a yearlong internship at the horticulture center. He was offered his current position as a gardener in production at Longwood Gardens after graduating from K-State in 2003.

Growing up on a farm in the sunflower state, which included showing sheep and hogs and participating in 4-H projects such as rabbit, cooking and photography, helped teach Simpson to identify a goal and work for it, he said.

And, as he has made the transition to young adulthood and living on his own, Simpson said lessons learned in the foods and nutrition project have come in handy. He also credits 4-H experiences with teaching him valuable lessons in personal responsibility, working effectively with others and speaking before a group.

"These are skills that are helpful in getting along in today's world," he said.

Does he miss Kansas?

Yes, especially family and watching the sky, even when storms move in, he said.

Though he'll miss many of Kansas 4-H's Centennial celebrations, Simpson will use skills nurtured in 4-H programs to help make Longwood Gardens' Centennial celebration a success.

More information on educational 4-H programs is available at district and county Extension offices throughout the United States. More information on Longwood Gardens and its Centennial Celebration is available at www.longwoodgardens.org. More information on Kansas 4-H is available at www.kansas4h.org.

Date: 4/20/06

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