Matthew Ross is the Executive Director of The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park in Traverse City Michigan.  He oversees the 26-acre Botanical Garden which was founded by visionaries Kurt and Karen Schmidt and a team of volunteers on the site of the Northern Michigan Asylum Farm. 

Prior to coming home to Michigan, Matthew was the Director of Continuing Education at Longwood Gardens, a college instructor at Owens Community College, and chief Horticulturist at Toledo Botanic Garden. 

He is a proud graduate of Michigan State University where he received a bachelors and master’s degree in Horticultural Science with an emphasis on Landscape Design Construction Management and Urban Forestry, respectively.  He is a well-respected public garden professional that spends his spare time kayaking, hiking, and exploring the vast landscape of Northern Michigan.