Women in Horticulture Interview Series
Ann Tosovsky and Tayler Jordan Home Nursery Inc.
Our Guests
Ann Tosovsky
Home Nursery Inc.
Ann Tosovsky is President of Home Nursery Inc. a field and container production nursery headquartered in Albers, IL. The business includes production facilities in Illinois and Tennessee and distribution centers in Illinois and Missouri. Ann is a third-generation owner and leader of the business that celebrated their 100th Anniversary in 2021.
Like many in our industry, Ann started her career as a young child doing various jobs around the nursery like pulling weeds, sweeping floors, and mowing grass. She went on to work in the garden center & floral shop helping customers, watering plants, and still sweeping floors. Not thinking this was the life for her, Ann went to Eastern Illinois University and pursued a degree in business. After spreading her wings for a while, she realized her roots run deep and found her way back to the family business. Ann worked her way around the company and learned the processes and procedures of the business gaining experience in sales, marketing, and administrative tasks. She transitioned to the role of president in 2012.
Ann has considerable experience working across the industry and the community having served on a variety of industry boards and organizations including the Illinois Green Industry Association Board of Directors, Illinois Invasive Species Council, Madison County Extension Education Foundation Board, Hortica Advisory Council and Hortica Insurance Board Member, The Gardens at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Advisory Board, the Rotary Club of Edwardsville Board of Directors, and President, Edwardsville CEO Program Board.
Tayler Jordan
Home Nursery Inc.
Tayler Jordan, Ann’s daughter, is a fourth-generation member of the Home Nursery team. While the company has always been a part of Tayler’s life, her professional path initially led her elsewhere. She earned bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice and Social Work from Lindenwood University, followed by a Master’s degree in Criminology from Saint Louis University, and began her career as a St. Louis County Police Officer.
Eventually, Tayler felt called to return to the family business and joined as the Communications Coordinator in 2021. In that role, she worked closely with Human Resources to improve internal and external communication, support HR initiatives, and help develop and refine company policies. A year later, she was promoted to Human Resources Manager, where her role expanded significantly. Today, she oversees recruiting efforts, including a focus on the growth of their internship program. Tayler works directly with employees across the company to build strong relationships and develop safety and training programs.
Tayler’s a proud mom to a sweet (and wonderfully wild) 2-year-old boy, and she truly believes mom life is the best life. She is excited to continue growing within horticulture, to follow in her mom’s footsteps, and one day introduce the 5th generation to the family business and everything it represents.
Sign up to hear this dynamic mother-daughter duo share insights on switching careers, working with family, and running a successful nursery operation.