How different generations can work together in horticulture businesses

There are currently five generations in the workforce: the silent generation, baby boomers, generation X, generation Y (millennials) and generation Z. Each brings a different perspective on everything from employer expectations to career growth. Working cohesively can be challenging.

Paige Franks, senior executive search adviser with BEST Human Capital and Advisory Group, says even though values and beliefs can be divergent, bringing people together is more than possible. Here, Franks shares the benefits of a diverse workplace and what she’s learned about the horticulture industry overall.

Lauren Cohen: Tell me about what you do and your career path to get there.

Paige Franks: I’m currently a senior executive search adviser with BEST Human Capital and Advisory Group, specifically servicing the horticulture industry and hiring C-suite employees, anywhere from a head grower to a national sales manager. We have another area of our business that has to do with exit succession planning and human resource advising. My background is in psychology, and I’ve used that to integrate in behavioral screenings and emotional intelligence advocacy and all things mental health.

LC: Given your background, what got you into horticulture?

PF: This opportunity just happened via connections. I wasn’t specifically looking for horticulture; horticulture just kind of found me, which is great because I love plants. Now that I’m in this industry, I don’t ever want to leave it.

LC: What makes you want to stay in the industry?

PF: Above all else, the people. Of course, the plants and the products themselves are incredible, but the people are so refreshing. They’re down to earth, they’re passionate — people are in this industry because they are passionate about it.

LC: How do you combine your expertise in psychology with what you do in the horticulture industry?

PF: It definitely comes into play with behavioral screenings and working alongside people. But I have especially migrated into the emotional intelligence sector and have written pieces on that and done presentations on that and helped kind of coach and provide advocacy and information in that wheelhouse. So, that’s where I’ve allowed myself to exercise the mental health and wellness and psychology aspect of my background in this industry, because this industry has a lot of physical labor and long hours.

I mean, we just got out of spring, which was crazy — emotions went high. People aren’t well, you know, so talking about those things has been extremely fulfilling.

LC: Tell me about the multi-generational workforce and why it’s important for multiple generations to work cohesively.

PF: Right now, we have five generations in the workforce, which is crazy, and they’re all so starkly different — basically, just talking about the differences we’re seeing.

We’re having a really hard time as an industry bringing people in and attracting the younger generation, which is really problematic because we’re also facing mass retirements — so many people are retiring right now. There’s this huge gap of talent and labor shortages, and it’s a very real issue, so just exploring those generations and all the differences between them and how we can attract the younger generation, and in the meantime all work together as cohesively as possible.

Lauren Cohen was an editorial intern for the GIE Media Horticulture Group in summer 2025.