Crestwood, KY – Yew Dell Botanical Gardens announces a new manager for their plant production as the organization continues to attract the best talent in the horticulture industry. Yew Dell is located at a historically-significant site in Oldham County- the original home, gardens, and commercial nursery of the late plantsman Theodore Klein. After Klein’s passing, the community established a nonprofit organization to develop the property into a botanical garden. 20+ years later, Yew Dell now showcases exceptional display gardens, arboretum, and hiking trails while participating in ongoing garden plant research and offering an ambitious schedule of educational programs, event rental opportunities, and a variety of incredible plants for purchase. Yew Dell’s plant market reflects the organization’s growth. Within a few short years, we’ve gone from buying in 85% of the plants grown in the gardens and sold to gardeners, to producing 95% of our plants right here in our rapidly growing nursery! We are excited to announce Yew Dell’s next chapter of plant production under the leadership of our new Nursery & Greenhouse Manager: Jeff Margreiter!
Jeff Margreiter comes to Yew Dell from Auburn University where he recently received his master’s degree in Natural Resources - Professional Forester. His undergraduate degree is in Horticulture with a concentration in Greenhouse & Nursery Management. Throughout his time in Alabama, he worked in the Advanced Forest Health Laboratory within the College of Forestry, Wildlife, & Environment as well as Opelika Grows, a nonprofit organization focused on using community gardens to provide local produce and public garden spaces.
Executive Director Dr. Paul Cappiello says, "Jeff's passion for plants, the constant search for better and more sustainable plants, and his love of sharing that passion with others makes him a perfect fit for taking our nursery operation to the next level."
Margreiter was actually introduced to Yew Dell a few years ago during a Horticulture Club trip to Louisville for the 2019 American Society of Horticultural Science conference. He recalls being impressed by the uniqueness of the glass greenhouse and accompanying green roof, as well as the living collection of trees in the arboretum.
Director of Horticulture and Facilities Jacob Stidham explains, “The future of our growing operation at Yew Dell has been given a huge dose of enthusiasm and plant geekiness with Jeff coming onboard. It is exciting to watch Yew Dell find more ways to utilize our greenhouses and the skills of our horticulture team.”
For more information or to set up a time for coverage; contact our PR & Marketing Manager Manda Barger at [email protected].
