Military families face many challenges, from frequent relocations and long deployments to the daily stress of having a loved one in service. Since 2006, Project EverGreen’s GreenCare for Troops program has provided meaningful relief through donated lawn and landscape services that ease these burdens, enhance quality of life and create healthier home green spaces, according to the nonprofit organization.
To spotlight the extraordinary impact of its volunteers and the growing needs of military families, Project EverGreen has declared June 2025 as National GreenCare for Troops Awareness Month.
Now in its 19th year, GreenCare for Troops has delivered an estimated $20 million in donated services to nearly 20,000 military families nationwide. These efforts foster environmental health, community pride, and vibrant outdoor spaces where families can relax, reconnect, and recharge.
“GreenCare for Troops is more than a service; it’s a lifeline,” says Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen. “Our volunteers relieve stress by taking yard work off the to-do list. But more importantly, they create spaces where families can feel grounded and supported. It’s a deeply personal and transformative experience for both the families and the volunteers who serve them.”
As part of this year’s observance of GreenCare for Troops Awareness Month, which is recognized by Chase’s Calendar of Events, Project EverGreen is bringing back the ‘You Move, We Mow’ challenge, a nationwide movement encouraging people to walk, run, bike or hike in honor of deployed military families. The goal: log 19,000 steps between June 22–28, symbolizing GreenCare for Troops’ 19 years of service.
“The You Move, We Mow challenge is a great way to support military families and enjoy the green spaces we work to protect,” says Blaine Pinkerton, vice president of turf and ornamental sales for Nufarm, title sponsor of GreenCare for Troops. “Whether you walk, run or ride, you’re raising awareness and celebrating the lawn care pros who give back every day.”
Envu honors Debbie Koufas with NPMA Impact Award
Envu recently honored Debbie Koufas, research biologist, with the prestigious National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA) Impact Award. Koufas was recognized alongside 88 other recipients during the 2025 NPMA’s Women’s Forum in Austin, Texas, which serves as an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women across the pest management profession.
“Debbie’s decades of knowledge and expertise are directly responsible for shaping forward-looking innovations that help our customers solve their daily challenges,” said Tiffany Fremder, chief marketing officer at Envu. “Most recently, she played a critical role in developing Barricor Essential Mosquito Control, a new botanical-based formulation that kills mosquitoes but is safe on bees and butterflies. Her work, alongside many others at Envu, gives us the ability to help protect the spaces people live in for a healthier environment.”
When developing Barricor Essential Mosquito Control, Koufas helped to screen and refine countless essential oil- and botanical-based formulations to find the perfect balance of efficacy and environmental responsibility. Her work has directly addressed the growing challenge in the industry of how to provide reliable, professional-grade mosquito control while satisfying the preferences of environmentally conscious consumers.
In addition to developing new products for the industry, Koufas manages the Envu insecticide testing laboratory at the Clayton research and development site. She assisted in developing an indoor spray testing method using a paint airbrush setup and a fume hood — an innovative approach that allowed Envu to continue vital research year-round. Her other work includes:
- Shaping Maxforce Impact roach gel bait, which is designed for rotational use and free of the big eight allergens.
- Playing a key role in validating Suspend PolyZone insecticide as an effective mosquito barrier treatment, expanding its utility beyond perimeter pest control.
- Bringing Temprid Dust to market, an insecticide that uses two modes of action to eliminate pests on contact.
“Beyond her technical contributions, Koufas is a mentor, leader and advocate for scientific excellence. Her work bridges the gap between scientific discovery and practical, business-ready solutions for pest management professionals. Debbie’s legacy is a source of immense pride for our team and a testament to the vital role women play in advancing our industry,” said Fremder.
Textron graduates 400th student from its Reaching Potential Through Manufacturing program
Textron Specialized Vehicles (TSV), a Textron company, and the Richmond County School System celebrated their Reaching Potential Through Manufacturing (RPM) program producing its 400th graduates since its inception.
With 10 graduates earning their high school diploma this month, the RPM program has now graduated 400 students since celebrating its first graduates in 2017. Another 11 RPM students are on track to graduate this summer.
“We are proud to celebrate this milestone for RPM and the accomplishments of our newest graduates,” said Rob Scholl, president and CEO of Textron Specialized Vehicles. “This program is another example of the life-changing impact that local companies, our schools and our community can make when we work together to help our kids in need.”
“We entered into this partnership with Textron Specialized Vehicles to create new pathways for students who needed a different kind of opportunity to succeed,” said Malinda Cobb, interim superintendent of schools for the Richmond County School System. “RPM continues to prove that when we align academics with purpose and mentorship, we can change the trajectory of a student’s life. We are grateful for the unwavering commitment of our educators and the determination of our students, and we look forward to growing this partnership even further.”
RPM is a public-private partnership to support at-risk high school students who need an alternative path to earning their high school diploma. The program combines an instructional day with a four-hour shift on a manufacturing floor at a unique facility that is half schoolhouse, half-manufacturing plant. While at work, the students produce components and subassemblies for E-Z-GO golf cars and Cushman utility vehicles manufactured in Augusta.
Besides the manufacturing floor, the facility includes classroom and educational space to allow students to make progress toward their high school diploma and earn valuable work experience and income, all from a single facility. Students are employees of Textron Specialized Vehicles and are paid for their work.
Students complete coursework at the RPM facility depending on their specific needs. Besides traditional academic classes, RPM students also receive training in life skills and are provided additional tutoring resources.
Many RPM graduates have gone on to college or entered the workforce in the local community. Several graduates have entered full-time employment at TSV’s manufacturing facilities in Augusta.
Massey Services honored with Chance 2 Dance’s Donor of the Year Award
Chance 2 Dance, a nonprofit organization based in Maitland, Fla., committed to providing inclusive dance opportunities for individuals with special needs and varying disabilities, named Massey Services as its 2025 Donor of the Year. The organization annually recognizes a distinguished individual, business or foundation whose generosity, advocacy and dedication have significantly advanced its mission.
The award was presented during the Season 9 Annual Showcase Performance on May 18. Andrea Massey-Farrell, president and CEO of the Harvey and Carol Massey Foundation and senior vice president of community relations, accepted the award.
To be selected as Donor of the Year, recipients must demonstrate a minimum of three years of consistent involvement with the organization, exemplifying not only financial generosity but also a deep commitment to accessibility in the arts. According to the nonprofit, Massey Services has shown exceptional dedication, directly supporting the organization’s sensory-friendly studio, community engagement initiatives and the continued expansion of dance opportunities for individuals of all abilities.
“I am deeply grateful to Andrea and the entire Massey Services team,” said Nicole Warren, executive director of Chance 2 Dance. “Year after year, Massey Services has remained a generous donor and an exceptional supporter of our organization, our programs and our dancers. We truly appreciate the lasting impact they continue to make in our community.”
Strata secures growth investment amongst recent acquisition
Strata Landscape Services, a provider of commercial landscape services in the Western U.S., secured a growth investment from Align Capital Partners.
Strata’s management team is led by industry veterans Jerry DeJournett (CEO), Ben Green (COO) and Justin Crandall (CFO) who founded the company when they acquired Southern California-based Verdant Landscaping in 2024. Alongside the recapitalization with ACP, Strata also acquired Utah-based Boulder Landscaping. Collectively, Strata is now serving more than 350 commercial clients with its full suite of maintenance, enhancement, irrigation and snow services.
“There has been a lot of consolidation in our industry in recent years, so it was imperative to the long-term success of Boulder that we found the right cultural fit for our team and customers,” said Boulder owner and CEO Wray Dix. “I know several owners that have been through frustrating sale processes, so it was refreshing to see the entire Strata and ACP team working so closely together and delivering on their word at each stage of negotiations. Together, Strata and Boulder offer an exciting new platform for growth in our region.”
Strata looks to continue scaling its operations by acquiring businesses within its existing markets in California and Utah, while also expanding into neighboring states to build a comprehensive commercial landscaping services platform focused on the Western U.S.
“Having been on both sides of landscaping acquisitions in my career,” said Jerry DeJournett, “the most important thing is to build trust through transparency and to deliver on your word. At Strata, our culture is built around that idea of trust and we use it to take care of our people and our customers. In Wray and Boulder, we found a like-minded team, and we’re excited to partner with them in building a great company.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with the Strata team to build a standout landscaping organization,” said ACP managing partner Rob Langley. “Jerry, Ben and Justin are seasoned industry veterans with deep expertise in acquiring, integrating and growing landscaping businesses — particularly in the Western U.S. Our partnership with Wray and the acquisition of Boulder Landscaping mark an early success that we are excited to build upon.”
