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K&D Landscaping Inc.‘s management and field teams volunteered a full day of labor to help construct and contribute to the new Flodberg Park Community Garden, a project spearheaded by the Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley (CHT) in Watsonville, Calif.
The Community Gardens program is funded in large part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is led by CHT, in partnership with the City of Watsonville and the Monterey Bay Master Gardeners.
The project, K&D Landscaping’s Q2 Beautification Project, includes new garden beds, moving soil and getting dozens of plants into the ground to create a vibrant, health-focused green space for the neighborhood.
“At the Community Health Trust, our mission is to foster a healthy and equitable Pajaro Valley through advocacy, collaboration and wellness. Our community gardens program reflects that commitment by creating spaces where residents can grow fresh food, lead active lifestyles and strengthen connections. We are grateful for the support from partners like K&D Landscaping, whose involvement helps us expand this impact through our fourth garden in Watsonville, ultimately increasing access to fresh, nutritious food for local families,” said DeAndre’ James, executive director of CHT.
“We are celebrating 40 years in business, and there is no better way to honor that milestone than by getting our hands dirty for the community we call home,” said Justin White, CEO of K&D Landscaping and a regular LM columnist. “CHT is doing incredible work to improve wellness in Watsonville. We were honored they invited us to step in, provide the heavy lifting and help turn their vision for this garden into a reality.”
Since its founding in 1986, K&D Landscaping has spent four decades serving the Monterey Bay region. While the team manages extensive commercial properties and private estates daily, community investment remains the heartbeat of its operations.
“Our crew shows up for volunteer projects with the exact same dedication and standard of excellence they bring to our client properties,” White said. “Giving back is not just something we do; it is part of our DNA.”
NaturaLawn of America expands to Fairfax, Va.
NaturaLawn of America, an organic-based lawn care provider, is now serving customers from a new, expanded Northern Virginia location.
The Fairfax location is owned and operated by Phil Catron, CEO, founder and president of NaturaLawn of America, who brings 40 years of leadership and a long-standing vision for environmentally responsible, organic-based lawn care solutions for homeowners.
“This expanded location strengthens our ability to serve new and existing Fairfax-area homeowners, while continuing to deliver the organic-based programs NaturaLawn is known for,” said Catron. “We’re proud to support this experienced team as they continue helping Northern Virginia families grow healthier lawns with solutions that are effective and mindful of kids, pets and the environment.”
The new NaturaLawn of America branch will serve Fairfax-area communities including Arlington, Herndon, Manassas, Reston and more — offering services such as organic-based lawn fertilization, mosquito and tick control, core aeration and seeding, as well as a program specifically for the cool-season grasses, such as fescues and Kentucky bluegrass, that are commonly found in Northern Virginia.
Weed Man opens new franchise locations in Detroit and Boston
Weed Man, one of North America’s fastest-growing franchised lawn care brands, is now rolling out its signature green trucks across the Motor City. Weed Man is celebrating National Lawn Care Month this April in a major way by setting up roots for its first-ever franchise in Detroit and the Downriver area, as well as in Boston, Mass.
“I think (Detroit has) been underserved over the years. We’re ready, and we want to show the people in this area what Weed Man has to offer,” said Weed Man’s Josh Fromme.
April is National Lawn Care Month, and a recent survey conducted by Weed Man revealed that 76 percent of homeowners feel pressured to compete with their neighbors for curb appeal. And winning isn’t cheap; respondents reported spending an average of $122 per month on their outdoor spaces, including lawn care.
“At Weed Man, we have the best people applying the best products in the market, but we’re also going to give you a fair price. We understand how much hard work goes into earning a dollar, and we’re ready to deliver value for Detroiters,” Fromme said.
He added that Weed Man has a strong presence in the neighboring area of Farmington Hills, which makes them a great fit for the Detroit and Downriver market.
“We now have two very strong operators in this area, and it’s wonderful to have an awesome neighbor like the Farmington Hills operation,” he said. “We’re just feeling a wave of excitement through the whole business right now. Everyone, from the front office to the front line, is excited to be in Detroit,”
Weed Man also opened its first Boston franchise, which Jack Stranges, branch manager of Weed Man Boston, said should thrive thanks to its forward-facing and transparent business model.
“I think the majority of people just want to have a great lawn and a company that’s gonna work with them with great communication. That’s a point that’s been emphasized by a lot of the customers that we have here,” Stranges said.
Stranges is a recent Massachusetts transplant who will head up the Boston office after starting as a technician and successfully working his way up the Weed Man ladder. He takes pride in his journey and hopes it shows his employees that this job comes with a future, according to Weed Man.
“People don’t know who we are just yet, but we’re happy to be here and introducing ourselves because we know that we have such an excellent service. So it’s just been really fun,” he said. “With the Weed Man company in general, especially here in New England, if you’re looking to continue to develop as a person in your career here, you don’t have to go too far to find an opportunity.”
At the same time, Weed Man has more than 240 franchises across the U.S. and Canada. However, the company stated it takes pride in the fact that it is locally owned and operated in more than 1,000 territories. This gives the company a unique blend of the resources and expertise of an international network, while offering the individual attention of a family-run business.
Massey Services acquires Urbanex Pest Control
Massey Services, a service provider in the pest management industry, acquired Urbanex Pest Control in Huntsville, Ala.
Since 2023, Urbanex Pest Control has delivered residential pest, termite and mosquito control services throughout the North Alabama region. This acquisition marks the company’s second acquisition in Huntsville in less than one year, further strengthening its presence in the state.
“We are excited to welcome the team members and customers from Urbanex of Huntsville into the Massey Services organization,” said Tony Massey, president and CEO of Massey Services. “The Huntsville market has experienced significant growth over the last several years, and Urbanex has built a strong reputation for delivering comprehensive services to a growing customer base. We look forward to continuing to provide environmentally responsible services, backed by our commitment to total customer satisfaction.”
Associated Equipment Distributors concludes its 2026 Financial/HR Symposium
Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) successfully concluded its 2026 Financial/HR Symposium, held April 14–16 in Napa, Calif., bringing together equipment industry finance and human resources leaders for two days of focused education, collaboration and peer connection.
“Bringing together finance and HR leaders in one setting creates a powerful opportunity to tackle challenges from multiple angles,” said Brian McGuire, AED president and CEO. “This symposium is about more than just education, it’s about sharing ideas, learning from one another and leaving with practical strategies that make a real impact back at the dealership.”
The symposium featured 13 educational sessions led by industry experts, covering a wide range of finance and HR topics. Sessions addressed timely industry issues including AI-powered financial forecasting, workforce engagement, employee benefits strategy, capital markets and performance management, all designed to deliver practical, real-world insights attendees can immediately apply.
The event was anchored by keynote speaker Ryan Jenkins, whose session, “Connectable: How to Strengthen Team Connection in the New Era of Work,” explored the growing challenge of workplace disconnection and offered practical ways to build stronger, more engaged teams.
Additional general sessions added depth to the program, including “The Voice of the American Workplace,” presented by Jacquelyn Reardon of Franklin Templeton, which examined shifting expectations around financial well-being and retirement readiness, and “Harvesting Opportunity: 2026 Industry Outlook,” led by Marc Johnson of Pinion, providing a forward-looking perspective on the economic trends shaping the equipment industry.
In addition to education, the symposium created space for meaningful conversations through receptions, shared meals and informal discussions, allowing attendees to exchange ideas and learn from one another. Participants also had the opportunity to earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits through Pinion, recognized by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, as well as SHRM Professional Development Credits (PDCs), reinforcing the event’s value as both a learning and credentialing experience.
“The value of this event is in the actionable ideas and the opportunity to connect with peers facing similar challenges,” said attendee John Richardson, Bejac Corporation. “I always leave with practical strategies and best practices I can immediately apply within my organization.”
