Nursery Leadership Wanted

Simon Bolin the Agribusiness Development Manager is looking for a nursery leader in Hillsborough County to serve the industry and the agriculture community.  If you have an interest, please read the following form Simon... 

The Agricultural Economic Development Council initiates and assists with efforts to create a business atmosphere that is conducive to the continuation and expansion of agricultural businesses within Hillsborough County for the benefit of all its residents. The AEDC has representatives from all the major agricultural sectors including the nursery industry. The AEDC will typically have meetings quarterly. Contact Simon Bollin, Agribusiness Development Manager c: 813-853-1086, e: bollins@HCFL.gov with any questions.

2025 Hillsborough and Polk County's Annual Ornamental Production Estimates

The ornamental horticulture nursery and greenhouse industry contracted again for the fourth year in a row in 2025 in both Hillsborough and Polk Counties in Florida.  Hillsborough County growers produced an estimated $172 million in nursery and greenhouse plants.  This decreased 1.1% from the year prior, which was then about $174 million in 2024.  The average annual wage paid to someone employed in this sector in 2025 was $46,136 or $22.18/hr.  This is about a 5% increase over last year's average annual wage of $43,865 or $21.09/hr.  

In Polk County, growers produced about 3.7% less than 2024 with nursery and greenhouse sales estimated at about $51.5 million in 2025, as compared to $53.5 million in 2024. The average wage reported in Polk County was $43,387 or $20.85 per hour. Last year's average wage was $41,512 or $19.96/hr. or an increase of 4.5%.   

Both counties have seen a decrease in sales since the last increase in nursery production seen in 2021, when Hillsborough nursery sales were $308 million and Polk produced about $65 million.