From Local Roots to National Reach: CEO Team Visits Kankakee Nursery
On November 6, the Kankakee County CEO class visited Kankakee Nursery in St. Anne, one of the largest wholesale nurseries in the United States. As the business celebrates its 100th year, it remains family-owned and continues to grow on more than 2,500 acres of fields and production space.
Students were welcomed by third-generation owners Pete and John Worth, who shared the history of the nursery and the responsibility of carrying forward a legacy built over decades. They discussed the scope of their work supplying landscape centers, municipalities, contractors, and garden centers across the U.S. and Canada, with a focus on both container-grown and balled-and-burlapped plants, including many native species.
During the tour, students saw the full cycle of nursery production: propagation, field care and cultivation, harvesting and tree digging, and preparation for shipping. The Worths also spoke about the challenges and opportunities in operating a large-scale agricultural business today, including employee retention, weather-related considerations, and balancing wholesale and contract growing.
The CEO students left with a deeper appreciation for the planning, patience, and expertise required to run a business of this size, as well as the value of strong leadership rooted in relationships and long-term thinking.
We are grateful to Pete, John, and the entire Kankakee Nursery team for their time and hospitality, and congratulate Kankakee Nursery on 100 years in business!
