Richard Hansen: Serving Those Who Serve

Richard Hansen spent six years on active duty in the U.S. Air Force before transitioning back to civilian life in 2007. He decided to attend college, and during that time, he got married, became a father, and launched his landscape maintenance and snow removal business, Hansen’s Lawn Care.

“Getting into the business was really happenstance,” says Hansen. “Before college, I was mowing grass for someone. While in school, I started my own business and built it up from there.”

Based in Woodbury, Minnesota, Hansen’s Lawn Care provides its residential clients with year-round landscape maintenance and snow removal services.

In 2013, Hansen became a volunteer for GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops after a recommendation from his friend and fellow green industry professional, Bryan Ring of Ring Lawn Care.

“Once I heard about the mission of helping families with a deployed spouse, it was an easy decision – I was all in,” he says.

Since signing up, Hansen has lost count of the exact number of families he has helped but estimates that his team has provided mowing and snow removal services for about two families per year.

“In all cases, it was the husband who was deployed, so we were helping wives and mothers with small children,” he recalls. “No matter what service we provided, the families were always very appreciative. But snow removal is a big help—it’s much harder to manage and far more unpredictable.”

Over the years, Hansen’s office has received heartfelt letters of thanks and even baked goods from grateful families. But one gesture stood out. “One of the families we helped included a school nurse at our kids’ school. Her husband was an Army Black Hawk pilot,” Hansen shares. “During deployment, his unit flew a flag in our honor and presented it to us when he returned. That was special, it’s now hanging in our shop.”

Richard Hansen and Bryan Ring have also been recognized within the industry. Toro, a leading equipment manufacturer, invited them to its headquarters to share their experiences with GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops.

“Taking one worry off the minds of deployed spouses and families is a great service to provide,” says Hansen. “And if we can maintain their property so the home exterior looks just as nice as when the spouse left, that’s one less thing for them to worry about – and that makes a difference.”

Why Are Green Spaces Essential for Military Families?

For military families, green spaces are more than just grass and trees – they provide comfort, stability, and a sense of home in the face of frequent relocations and deployments. Parks, lawns, and well-maintained landscapes create safe, inviting environments where families can relax, connect, and recharge.

Beyond their emotional and social benefits, green spaces play a vital role in community health. They help cool urban areas, improve air quality, and reduce energy consumption, making neighborhoods healthier and more resilient.

Through GreenCare for Troops and GreenCare for Communities, Project EverGreen and its nationwide network of professional volunteers work to ensure military families have access to these essential outdoor spaces. By caring for lawns, landscapes, and community parks, we enhance the environment while providing military families with a much-needed sense of normalcy and support.

Because when we invest in green spaces, we invest in stronger families, healthier communities, and a better quality of life for those who serve our country.

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!

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, AMGUARD Environmental Sciences  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.