A New Passion Blossomed for Jimmy

A transformation can be as simple as redirecting energy into a new passion. 

Jimmy, long known as one of Little City’s top athletes, has won gold medals in powerlifting, led flag football and basketball teams, and participated in nearly every Special Olympics event he could.  

In 2025, that same drive and athleticism sparked a new passion – horticulture. 

“I had actually been trying to recruit Jimmy for a couple of years,” said Wayne Johnson, Horticulture Manager. “He’s been such a huge help with our fields and doing a lot of the hard work that some of the others can’t physically do.” 

The horticulture program is known for its greenhouses and beautiful plant arrangements, but much of the work happens in two large outdoor fields. Jimmy quickly became an integral part of planting and harvesting, using equipment such as land rollers, wheelbarrows, and shovels to prep fields, move soil, and tackle tough digging. 

Jimmy’s enthusiasm has him spending nearly all day on Wednesdays in the program, contributing to everything from planting hundreds of pounds of tomatoes for the Harvest Stand to preparing fields for pumpkin season. The second field posed particular challenges this year, including concrete and deeply rooted invasive weeds. Jimmy’s physical ability and dedication made it possible to get the work done safely and efficiently. 

“He did some planting with his family in the past, and this has given him a chance to do that kind of work again and he really loves it and has been great to work with,” Wayne said. 

Jimmy’s success in horticulture has even opened doors to potential community-based work. Wayne has already connected with Goebbert’s Farm, a large family farm attraction in the area, to explore opportunities for Jimmy in planting and harvesting. 

With Jimmy’s energy and dedication, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most bountiful years yet for Little City’s horticulture program!