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FEATURED MEMBER (Continued)

operation. The two met in 1989 after Fertilizer Applicators. He is also
Hafner ended his active-duty military “Every day is a little certified by the Interlocking Concrete
service in the U.S. Army Honor Guard and Permeable Pavers Institute and
serving our nation’s fallen heroes, bit different. This holds a certification in Green Roof
escorting two presidents in the '80s business is always Installations. Hafner has also served
and serving as a soloist on the U.S. as President of the Landscape
Army Drill Team. “I didn’t know what changing – new plants, Contractors Association of MD/VA/
to do when I got out of service. I construction methods, DC, and has chaired the International
needed a job, any job. I made phone Certification Council for the
calls, but even in the ‘80s, I couldn’t materials, different National Association of Landscape
get a job.,” Hafner said. “When I called Professionals. In addition to
Fine Earth, the office manager hired clients. It’s still overseeing the day-to-day operations
me over the phone. That’s I how got exciting.” of Fine Earth, Hafner teaches
into the industry. And once I was Bernie Mihm Jr. landscaping courses at Montgomery
in it, I liked the changes every day. Founder College and Howard Community
Every project is different. I am never College and has written many articles
bored. It was really Bernie who gave technology and a more recent for trade magazines.
me an opportunity, and I’ve been degree in history. He also holds many Hafner’s family members are an
very appreciative of that.” Mihm said landscape industry certifications, integral part of the business. “Our
Hafner started as a landscape laborer. including Landscape Industry success wouldn’t be where it is
“He was always an extremely hard Certified Manager and Technician, without them,” he said. His middle
worker. He worked his way up to Certified Professional Horticulturist, son, Jacob, grew up around the
foreman, then production manager, Certified Pesticide Applicator in business and started at Fine Earth
and then we became partners.”
Maryland and D.C., and a certification in 2011 as a summer job. He is now
Hafner holds a degree in landscape as one of Maryland’s Professional maintenance division manager. “He

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36 SPRING 2025 • Free State News