Jim Zampini Passes

Jennifer Polanz

The industry lost an advocate and friend in long-time Ohio nurseryman Jim Zampini, who passed away at his home in April at the age of 85. He was in the nursery business all his life, first working for his father’s nursery, then joining the company with a 25-acre expansion into Perry Township, Ohio. Jim grew that expansion into Lake County Nursery Inc., a 600-acre wholesale nursery, which now operates as LCN Holdings, dba Lake County Nursery, which is owned and operated in part by his son, Joe. During his career, he bred, selected and introduced more than 200 patented and trademarked plants into the marketplace. He also co-founded Upshoot, a boutique horticultural marketing firm, with his daughter, Maria, which continues to license, market and sell those varieties, as well as new plant genetics from other breeders and plantsmen.

Along with being the past president of the Nursery Growers of Lake County, he was also active in numerous local and national boards and civic endeavors. He is survived by his wife, Margaret, two children, four grandchildren and his sister, Patricia Zampini. Our condolences to the Zampini family. GP