What’s something you think the green industry will be doing in five years that it’s not already doing?

Landscape Professionals

Paul Fraynd
Sun Valley Landscaping
Omaha, Neb.

“I think the green industry will be much more focused on sustainability in the future: providing year-round careers, reducing emissions and working with nature more through design and maintenance practices.”

Jerry McKay
McKay Landscape Lighting
Omaha, Neb.

“Managing more for customers and taking more responsibility for the entire outdoors off of people’s plates.”

Bryan Stolz
Winterberry Landscape & Garden Center
Southington, Conn.

“I am seeing more educated consumers and savvier landscape operators. This has been coupled with the general public becoming more aware of the shortage of skilled trade labor, thanks to its current impact on the broader economy.”

Industry Consultants

Marty Grunder
The Grow Group
Dayton, Ohio

“I see technology making a tremendous difference in many areas. Never underestimate the creativity and ingenuity of the American entrepreneur.”

Phil Harwood
Grow the Bench
Grand Rapids, Mich.

“Operating equipment remotely on a much broader scale.”

Kevin Kehoe
3PG Consulting
Laguna, Calif.

“Robots for mowing will be common. AI computer data mining will allow better pricing, hour management and purchase decisions to max profits.”

Jeffrey Scott
Jeffrey Scott Consulting
New Orleans, La.

“I foresee completely virtual landscape firms without a large office or home base facility. Solar-power and fully electric equipment will become commonplace and a point of differentiation. And last, technology companies will start competing with landscape operations directly in a big way.”