Does the chef who invents the recipe also run the entire food factory?
Of course not. In every successful industry, the Product Expert is supported by a team of System Experts. No single skillset does everything.
Now, let's look at your business.
You are the undisputed Product Experts. But who are your System Experts? Tick all the roles currently filled by someone whose primary training is in horticulture.
Think of it this way: Shane Warne was one of the best cricketers ever. Would a team of 11 Shane Warnes be the best team ever? Of course not. You need a variety of different skillsets to create a great team.
You Don't Have a Skilled Worker Shortage. You Have a System Skills Gap.
When your Product Experts are forced to run the entire production system, they're not gaining broad experience; they're just finding their way through. It's the difference between having 20 years of evolving experience, or simply repeating the same year 20 times.
The Solution Isn't a Problem. It's a New Mindset.
You don't need more horticulturists; you already have that world-class skill. You need process workers, and a great system allows anyone to be an effective process worker. For other key roles, you need specialists from outside the industry. The "shortage" isn't a problem to be solved; it's an opportunity to think differently.