Forty Under 40 Perspectives: Climbing peaks and growing dreams in horticulture
When I was 7 years old, my dad said, “Let’s go for a hike.” I didn’t think much of it at the time, but our continued family outings sparked a lifelong passion. Mountain top after mountain top, I discovered a deep love for nature. By age 13, I had summited all 48 of the 4,000- foot peaks in New Hampshire and become a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Every hike and outdoor adventure fueled my fascination with the natural world.
In 2007, while working my after-school job at Stop & Shop, a New England grocery chain, I spent one evening in the florist department. That experience set the stage for my future in horticulture. From wrapping bouquets to designing and merchandising the plant displays at Stop & Shop, I discovered my true calling in horticulture — I found my passion. At the start of my career, I took every opportunity to try new jobs like garden center sales, landscaping, a golf course and florists.
The only college I ended up applying to was the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMass Amherst. I earned an associate degree in horticulture and bachelor’s degree in plant, soil and insect sciences. The Stockbridge School of Agriculture provided me with the foundation for my career, helping to build a lifelong network of industry relationships.
I often share a few pieces of advice with others:
- Don’t burn bridges — it’s a small industry.
- Create a LinkedIn profile.
- Try different jobs to find your niche; dial in on your expertise.
After graduating, I worked for Monrovia Growers as an inside sales representative at its Connecticut and California locations, supporting sales to garden centers with trees, shrubs and perennials. I later became the perennial crop grower at Monrovia’s Connecticut location, helping to orchestrate the symphony of growing crops for retail sales in over 100 greenhouses. This role involved crop planning, pest and disease management, team leading and quality control for retail sales. These experiences sharpened my operational skills and deepened my understanding of retail horticulture.
Following that role, I joined the Griffin Greenhouse Supplies team as an outside sales representative covering Vermont and upstate New York. This role allowed me to service greenhouse operations with grower and retail supplies, as well as green goods seeds and plugs.
Today, I’ve been with Griffin Greenhouse Supplies for over six years and now serve as retail education manager. This role takes me across the country, working with our sales team and independent garden centers to help their retail businesses thrive. I also serve as the company’s retail speaker at events and contribute retail articles to our company magazine. Much of my focus revolves around collaborating and sharing the success of other independently owned garden centers. If you’d like to connect, you can find me on Instagram @hannahplants.
The horticulture industry offers countless paths to success — there are no limits to where this field can take you. As I always say, “Stay on your own unique path, and don’t let anything stop you.”
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