Longwood Gardens Welcomes Students from Williamson College of The Trades

KENNETT SQUARE, PA - Longwood Gardens welcomed students from the Horticulture, Landscaping, and Turf Management program at Williamson College of the Trades this week for an opportunity to gain real world experience from horticulture experts. While onsite, students had the chance to tour Longwood’s new state-of-the-art nursery production greenhouse and observe expert demonstrations in tree root invigoration, tree digging, and pruning.

“We are so fortunate to have this opportunity for our students to learn from the best in the industry,” said William Beerman, Instructor for Landscape Construction and Management at Williamson College of the Trades. “It’s important for our students to connect with people who care about plants and exterior spaces when considering horticulture and landscape management as a formally educated career path.”

The Horticulture, Landscaping, and Turf Management program at Williamson College of the Trades prepares students to enter the horticulture industry and to advance quickly into management and supervisory positions. Graduates of the program are well prepared to enter entry-level supervisory/foreman management positions and to work for a variety of employers, including tree care companies, landscape design/build firms, grounds departments, private estates, golf courses, public gardens, and arboreta.

“Our long-standing relationship with Williamson College of the Trades is indicative of Longwood’s commitment to engaging young people with careers in horticulture,” said Sharon Loving, Vice President of Horticulture at Longwood Gardens, and Program Advisory Committee member for Williamson. “Through expert demonstrations, students gain real world experience that will help them to understand and value the importance of plants and the people who work in the art, science, and business of horticulture.”

Longwood’s connection with Williamson dates back over 30 years with the development of the Horticulture, Landscaping, and Turf Management Program in 1992. “Williamson is one of the top trade schools in the country that values hands-on, real-world learning and we look forward to continuing this collaborative effort to provide their horticulture students an opportunity for experiential learning and real-world experience,” said Loving.

About Longwood Gardens
In 1906, industrialist Pierre du Pont (1870-1954) purchased a small farm near Kennett Square, PA, to save a collection of historic trees from being sold for lumber. Today, Longwood Gardens is one of the world’s great horticultural displays, encompassing 1,100 acres of dazzling gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, 10,010-pipe Aeolian organ and grand conservatory. Longwood continues the mission set forth by Mr. du Pont to inspire people through excellence in garden design, horticulture, education and the performing arts, through programming that includes exhibitions, musical performances by leading artists, renowned horticulture education programs, horticulture research, environmental stewardship and community engagement. Longwood is one of more than 30 gardens in the Philadelphia region known as America’s Garden Capital. For more information, visit longwoodgardens.org.

About Williamson College of the Trades
Williamson College of the Trades prepares deserving young men to be respected leaders and productive members of society. To accomplish the mission, Williamson gratuitously provides students with academic, trade, technical, moral and religious education, and a living environment based on the Judeo-Christian perspective that fosters the values of faith, integrity, diligence, excellence, and service. For more information, visit williamson.edu.