Spring Yard Cleanups – A Fresh Start for Military Families

Spring yard cleanups bring a fresh start for military families – greening lawns, budding trees and more time outdoors as warmer days return.

For military families with a loved one deployed, however, spring can also bring added stress.

Seasonal yard work does not pause for deployment. Leaves left behind from fall, broken branches from winter storms, compacted soil and matted turf all demand attention. What might normally be a weekend project for two adults can quickly become overwhelming for the spouse or caregiver managing home, work and children alone.

That is why spring yard cleanups are more than cosmetic. They are practical, protective and deeply meaningful.

Removing Winter’s Wear and Tear

Winter leaves its mark on every landscape. Snow mold can mat turf down. Salt from walkways can damage grass edges. Fallen limbs, debris and leftover leaves block sunlight and trap moisture.

A thorough spring cleanup typically includes:

Removing sticks, branches and debris
Raking and dethatching matted turf
Cleaning out landscape beds
Pruning damaged shrubs
Edging and redefining borders

These steps allow air, water and nutrients to reach the soil surface again. They also reduce the risk of fungal disease and pest activity that can take hold in damp, compacted areas.

For a military spouse juggling daily responsibilities, having volunteers step in to complete these tasks removes a physical burden and a mental one. It restores order after a long winter and creates breathing room at a time when it is needed most.

Setting the Stage for a Healthy Summer Lawn

Spring cleanup is not just about appearances; it is foundational to long-term lawn health.

When debris is cleared and turf is upright and exposed to sunlight, grass can begin active growth more evenly. Early-season aeration and proper fertilization are more effective when the lawn is not smothered by thatch or leaves. Pruning damaged branches encourages healthier, stronger growth throughout the growing season.

The result by summer is:

Thicker turf that crowds out weeds
More resilient grass during heat and drought
Healthier root systems
Cleaner, safer outdoor spaces for children and pets

For families awaiting the return of a deployed service member, a healthy lawn and maintained yard become more than landscaping goals. They become the backdrop for homecomings, backyard barbecues and simple evenings outside together.

Stability During Deployment

Perhaps the most powerful benefit of a spring yard cleanup is a sense of stability.

A well-maintained property signals that someone cares. It helps families avoid potential homeowners association notices or neighborhood concerns. It prevents small maintenance issues from becoming costly problems later in the season.

Most importantly, it allows the family at home to focus on what matters most – staying connected to their deployed loved one and managing daily life with confidence.

When green industry professionals donate their time and expertise through programs like GreenCare for Troops, they are not just mowing grass or trimming shrubs. They are lifting a weight from a military family’s shoulders.

Spring is a time of renewal. For military families navigating deployment, a simple yard cleanup can provide structure, dignity and encouragement at exactly the right time.

As lawns green up across the country, so too does the reminder that small acts of service can create lasting impact – one yard, and one family, at a time.

Join the Mission – Become a Volunteer Today!

To learn more, register as a volunteer, or review eligibility requirements, visit:
https://projectevergreen.org/greencare-for-troops/

Thank You to Our Generous Supporters

The Title Sponsor of the GreenCare for Troops program is Nufarm, while BOSS Snowplow proudly sponsors SnowCare for Troops.

Our Platinum Partners include Toro, SiteOne Landscape Supply, and Heritage Landscape Supply.

The Silver Partner is Arborjet/Ecologel and our Affiliate Partners include the Connecticut Grounds Keepers Association and the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association.

GreenCare for Troops is proudly endorsed by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

Join us today and be part of something bigger.

Fort Drum SnowCare for Troops Volunteer Supports Military Families in Heavy Snow

Fort Drum, the U.S. Army base in upstate New York where winter storms are often measured in feet rather than inches, knows that snow removal is far more than a matter of convenience. It is an essential service that helps families safely navigate daily life during some of the harshest winter conditions in the country.

This winter alone, the Fort Drum region has already received well over six feet of snow, with lake-effect storms continuing to add to the seasonal total – a reminder that in northern New York snowfall is often measured in feet rather than inches.

“Snow removal service is expensive, like $50 or $60 a visit, and on a soldier’s salary – especially E4 and below – that’s a lot of money,” says John Russell, a retired soldier and SnowCare for Troops volunteer. “I own two track snow throwers and they run $1,500 to $2,000 per unit, so going out and buying that kind of equipment just isn’t feasible for many soldiers.”

Russell still works full time at the base as a behavioral health MFA, but giving back has always been part of his life. Raised in a family where community service was expected, he has been volunteering since he was 14 years old.

“My whole family does volunteer work,” says Russell. “It was just part of how we were raised.”

In addition to volunteering with SnowCare for Troops, Russell serves his community as a volunteer firefighter and paramedic and currently holds the role of safety chief in his department.

Russell also does some snow removal work on the side. When he heard about the SnowCare for Troops program three years ago from someone at the base, he did some research, signed up and began helping local military families. This winter he has provided snow removal for two families, bringing his total number of families served to four.

“One of the families I help has a husband who is deployed to Korea,” says Russell. “When it’s a minor snowfall she likes to handle it herself, but when it gets past what she can manage I’ll go out and take care of it. They’re definitely grateful – she’s even offered me hot chocolate a couple of times when I come by.”

The Value of SnowCare for Troops During Extreme Winters

Heavy lake-effect snow is a fact of life around Fort Drum, and major winter storms can quickly overwhelm military families already managing the demands of deployment, long work hours and tight household budgets.

That is where SnowCare for Troops volunteers like Russell make a meaningful difference. By clearing driveways and walkways during major snow events, volunteers help ensure families can safely leave their homes, get children to school and access essential services.

For Russell, who served more than two decades in the military and is raising four children with his wife, the motivation is simple.

“We’re a pretty close-knit community here and we try to take care of each other,” he says. “I know what it’s like to leave your family behind when a deployment happens. If I can step in and make life a little easier for a military family during the winter, I’m happy to do it.”

Join the Mission – Become a Volunteer Today!

Are you ready to give back to our military heroes through the power of landscaping? Sign up today and make a meaningful difference!

Thank You to Our Generous Supporters

The Title Sponsor of the GreenCare for Troops program is Nufarm, while BOSS Snowplow proudly sponsors SnowCare for Troops.

Our Platinum Partners include Toro, SiteOne Landscape Supply, and Heritage Landscape Supply.

The Silver Partner is Arborjet/Ecologel and our Affiliate Partners include the Connecticut Grounds Keepers Association and the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association.

GreenCare for Troops is proudly endorsed by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

Join us today and be part of something bigger.

GreenCare for Troops Celebrates 20 Years in 2026 as Project EverGreen Expands Services to Disabled Veterans

GreenCare for Troops celebrates 20 years in 2026 of mobilizing green industry professionals to provide free lawn, landscape, and snow removal services to military families nationwide.

As part of this milestone year, the organization is expanding program eligibility to include disabled veterans in select states – a meaningful next step in extending support to those who have served. Additionally, irrigation maintenance and seasonal irrigation services are new services available to families through the registration process.

Launched in 2006, GreenCare for Troops was built on a clear and powerful mission: remove one burden from military families during deployment while ensuring the healthy maintenance of their home landscapes. What began as a simple act of service has grown into a national volunteer movement that preserves safe, well-maintained green spaces and provides stability during times of uncertainty.

Over 20 years, thousands of green industry professionals have donated their time and expertise delivering season-long services that allow families to focus on staying connected while a loved one serves. For recipients, the program represents more than maintained lawns or cleared driveways. It represents reliability, dignity, and community support.

“For 20 years, GreenCare for Troops has been rooted in the power of healthy, well-maintained green spaces,” said Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen. “Cared-for lawns and landscapes do more than enhance curb appeal. They create cooler, healthier outdoor environments and a sense of stability at home. When volunteers step in during deployment, they’re not just mowing grass; they’re sustaining living green spaces that support families and strengthen communities.”

20 Years Serving Those Who Serve

$20 million in donated services
15,000 professional volunteers
20,000 military families served
All 50 states reached

The program’s success is rooted in its professional volunteer model, which matches military families with local lawn, landscape, and snow removal providers who commit to reliable service throughout the duration of a deployment often six months to a year or longer. These consistent relationships ensure properties remain safe, attractive, and properly maintained while families navigate the challenges of service.

Expansion to Disabled Veterans

Beginning March 2026, GreenCare for Troops will offer services to disabled veterans in Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas – states where strong volunteer capacity supports responsible program growth.

Greencare for Troops - Project EverGreen

Beginning in March 2026, GreenCare for Troops will expand services to disabled veterans in Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas – states where strong volunteer support enables responsible program growth.

Eligible veterans may receive up to one year of donated service when a volunteer is available in their area, with the opportunity to reapply annually based on need and capacity. Additional states may be added as volunteer participation expands. This strategic rollout allows Project EverGreen to grow thoughtfully while maintaining the reliability and professionalism that define the program.

Irrigation Services Added to Service Lineup

GreenCare for Troops now offers irrigation maintenance and seasonal services such as system winterization. Like all program support, these services are provided by volunteers and are matched with families based on the availability and expertise of participating volunteers in each community.

A Program That Benefits Communities and Businesses

In addition to supporting military families and disabled veterans, GreenCare for Troops strengthens participating companies. Volunteers consistently report improved employee pride, stronger team culture, and deeper community engagement.

“GreenCare for Troops allows our team to use the skills we already have to make a real difference,” said one longtime volunteer. “It reflects the kind of company we want to be.”

With ongoing deployments and continued demand for support, Project EverGreen is actively seeking new volunteers to sustain and expand services – including disabled veterans in participating states.

Volunteer of the Year Awards Launch in June

To commemorate its 20^th anniversary, Project EverGreen will introduce a Volunteer of the Year Awards program recognizing three exceptional volunteers who have demonstrated consistent service, compassion, and long-term commitment. Nominated directly by the families they serve, the awards will highlight authentic stories of impact and dedication. Nominations will open June 1, 2026

New GreenCare for Troops Website

Project EverGreen has also launched a redesigned GreenCare for Troops home page, making it easier for military families, disabled veterans, and volunteers to access information quickly and confidently. Clear eligibility guidelines, streamlined registration, updated FAQs, and improved navigation ensure a user-friendly experience that reflects the professionalism and reliability at the heart of the program.

Join the Mission – Become a Volunteer Today!

To learn more, register as a volunteer, or review eligibility requirements, visit:
https://projectevergreen.org/greencare-for-troops/

Thank You to Our Generous Supporters

The Title Sponsor of the GreenCare for Troops program is Nufarm, while BOSS Snowplow proudly sponsors SnowCare for Troops.

Our Platinum Partners include Toro, SiteOne Landscape Supply, and Heritage Landscape Supply.

The Silver Partner is Arborjet/Ecologel and our Affiliate Partners include the Connecticut Grounds Keepers Association and the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association.

GreenCare for Troops is proudly endorsed by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

Join us today and be part of something bigger.

Clean Air, Healthy Fields: How the Clean Air Calculator Empowers Sports Field Managers

Clean air, healthy fields was the clear message delivered at the 2026 Sports Field Management Association’s Annual Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, where Project EverGreen Executive Director Cindy Code and immediate past president Scott Bills of Sports Field Solutions reminded sports field managers that natural grass fields are living systems that deliver measurable environmental value – value that can now be clearly quantified.

Clean Air, Healthy Fields - Project EverGreen

Project EverGreen Executive Director Cindy Code (right) and immediate past president Scott Bills of Sports Field Solutions remind sports field managers that natural grass fields are living systems delivering measurable environmental value – value that can now be clearly quantified.

That’s where Project EverGreen’s Clean Air Calculator (CAC) comes in.

Developed as a science-based tool, the Clean Air Calculator translates the environmental benefits of professionally managed natural turf into data that administrators, school boards, municipalities, and community stakeholders can understand and trust. In an era where sustainability expectations are rising and budgets require justification; the CAC gives sports field managers the numbers they need to advocate for natural grass and proper maintenance.

Turning Turf Management into Environmental Data

Sports field managers already know the benefits of healthy turf. Grass sequesters carbon, produces oxygen, cools surrounding areas, and contributes to safer, more playable fields. What the Clean Air Calculator does is make those benefits visible.

Using peer-reviewed research from institutions including The Ohio State University, Texas A&M, and the Soil Health Institute, the CAC measures:

Carbon sequestered annually
Clean air produced each year
Equivalent miles of vehicle emissions offset
The number of people benefiting from oxygen production

For example, just 5,000 square feet of healthy grass can produce enough oxygen to support more than a dozen people per day, depending on location. When applied across athletic fields, campuses, or park systems, the environmental impact quickly becomes significant

A Stronger Case for Natural Grass Fields

Sports field managers are often asked to defend natural turf against synthetic alternatives, especially when decision-makers focus on usage hours or short-term convenience. The Clean Air Calculator helps shift that conversation.

Rather than framing grass as a “green space,” the CAC positions it as environmental infrastructure. The healthier the turf, the greater the environmental return. Properly managed fields don’t just perform better – they actively contribute to sustainability goals, including Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives now required by many schools, municipalities, and institutions.

With CAC data in hand, field managers can demonstrate how investment in aeration, irrigation, fertility, and professional oversight supports both field safety and environmental outcomes.

“Sports field managers have always known that natural grass fields do more than host games – they improve communities,” Bills told attendees. “What the Clean Air Calculator does is turn that belief into credible, science-backed data. It gives managers the confidence to walk into any budget meeting and clearly show that healthy turf is not an expense – it’s environmental infrastructure.”

A Tool for Communication and Advocacy

One of the CAC’s most powerful benefits is its role as a storytelling tool. It converts technical data into public-facing language that resonates beyond the industry.

Statements like “This field cleans the air for 178 people annually” or “Offsets the equivalent of 250,000 miles driven each year” help non-experts understand the value of natural grass quickly and clearly. That clarity improves credibility, strengthens budget discussions, and supports long-term turf preservation.

Benefits Beyond Sports Fields

While the CAC is especially valuable for sports field managers, its applications extend across the green industry.

Landscape contractors can use CAC reports to show clients the environmental return of professionally managed properties.
Lawn care professionals can demonstrate how healthy residential and commercial turf contributes to cleaner air and reduced carbon impact.
Golf course superintendents can quantify the environmental value of managed acreage and support sustainability reporting.
Municipal parks departments can align park maintenance programs with ESG goals and community health initiatives.

In every case, the tool reinforces the same message: healthy, well-managed green spaces deliver benefits that extend far beyond aesthetics.

Start Small. Think Big.

Project EverGreen encourages professionals to start with one field, one property, or one park. Use the Clean Air Calculator in a single meeting. Share one result. Those small steps help elevate the profession, strengthen advocacy for natural turf, and position green industry professionals as environmental leaders.

Because when you maintain grass, you’re also maintaining clean air.

Try the Clean Air Calculator now.

Precision Lawn Care & Vigo Turf Supports Military Families in Terre Haute

Precision Lawn Care & Vigo Turf has supporting the military deep in its DNA as a four-season landscape maintenance and snow removal firm based in Terre Haute, Indiana.

“Hiring retired veterans was and is our MO dating back to when we started this business,” says Chad Feller, who founded the company in 1989. “We actively seek out military veterans to fill positions because they are reliable and dependable.”

Feller has also been a proud volunteer for Project EverGreen’s GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops programs.

“I think we’ve been involved in the program since its inception,” Feller recalls. “I was in Louisville at a major landscape trade show when they were talking about launching the program and looking for companies to sign up. My father-in-law, Earl McDowell, a retired Air Force veteran who was helping build the business at the time, said to me, ‘Chad, we are going to do this.’”

Roots in Lawn Care

Feller grew up around landscape equipment. In the late 1970s, he worked with his father doing small engine repair.

Precision Lawn Care & Vigo Turf team members (left to right) Scott Elkins, Chad Feller, Gilbert Archer, and Tim Stone proudly support military families in the Terre Haute community through GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops.

“I’d come home from school and tear the motors down. My dad would go through them and fix what was wrong, and the next night I’d put them back together and install them on the mowers,” says Feller.

He continued mowing lawns through high school and officially launched Precision Lawn Care in 1989. In 1992, he married his wife, Amy, and together they balanced corporate careers while building the company on the side. In 2017, they committed full time to growing the business.

“I Called Him Mac”

Feller’s father-in-law made a profound impact on both his personal life and the early growth of the company. McDowell served as a munitions specialist at the Terre Haute 181st Air National Guard Base until retiring in the mid-2000s.

“I called him Mac. He built bombs for F-16 fighters for years, but that work ended at the Terre Haute base when it transitioned to drones in 2008,” Feller explains.

McDowell had been helping with the business before his retirement, but after leaving military service, he joined the company full time. As the business expanded, Mac supported both operations and fieldwork.

“He got us into sweeping parking lots and similar work,” says Feller. “Mac had the perfect personality for building munitions – extreme precision and a meticulous process. In retirement, doing parking lot work helped him relax and refocus.”

Continuing a Commitment to Serve

In 1996, McDowell was deployed to Turkey for 18 months. During that time, Precision Lawn Care provided complimentary lawn maintenance to military families.

“When he returned, we discovered GreenCare for Troops,” Feller says. “My father-in-law really wanted the company to officially join the effort and continue giving back. We’ve participated every year since.”

Through Project EverGreen’s programs, the company has provided lawn care, snow removal, storm cleanup, and other services as needed.

“This is a small service we can provide for those who serve and sacrifice so much,” Feller says. “Deployed service members know their families have one less thing to worry about at home.”

Following McDowell’s tragic passing in 2015, Feller’s ongoing commitment to GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops has become both a service to military families and a tribute to his father-in-law’s legacy.

Serving Military Families Today

Currently, Precision Lawn Care is assisting two local families with snow removal services.

“One family has three kids, so we’re making sure they can get in and out of the driveway safely,” Feller says. Another family is also receiving snow removal support, with their service member expected home soon.

Last year, when deployments from the Terre Haute base increased, Feller stepped up to support three families.

“We did a little bit of everything,” he recalls. “Trimming bushes, mowing, maintenance – whatever was needed. We try to go a little above and beyond.”

In one instance, a windstorm tore a door off a home, and his crew stepped in to make the repair.

The Terre Haute community has a strong military tradition, and Feller is proud that Precision Lawn Care can help ease the burden for families when loved ones are deployed.

Through consistent volunteer service with Project EverGreen’s GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops programs, Precision Lawn Care continues to demonstrate that supporting those who serve is more than a gesture – it is a long-standing commitment rooted in family, community, and gratitude.

Join the Mission – Become a Volunteer Today!

Are you ready to give back to our military heroes through the power of landscaping? Sign up today and make a meaningful difference!

Thank You to Our Generous Supporters

The Title Sponsor of the GreenCare for Troops program is Nufarm, while BOSS Snowplow proudly sponsors SnowCare for Troops.

Our Platinum Partners include Toro, SiteOne Landscape Supply, and Heritage Landscape Supply.

The Silver Partner is Arborjet/Ecologel and our Affiliate Partners include the Connecticut Grounds Keepers Association and the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association.

GreenCare for Troops is proudly endorsed by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

Join us today and be part of something bigger.