Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/85697
cover story Women in Landscape BY JENNY AGEE-ALDRIDGE T he number of women working in landscaping has grown signifi cantly For some, gender is no longer an issue, but for others, challenges remain. in recent years, with women fi lling roles in every facet of the industry. Once a male- dominated profession, the playing fi eld has been leveled as more women graduate with degrees in horticulture and landscape architecture and with technology advances. "When I started in the business 40 years ago, it was a good-old-boys network," says Dave Hanson, senior vice pres- ident at ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance. "Today, it's much different, and opportunities are equal." Easier-to-operate equipment has taken the "brawn factor" out of many of the hands-on jobs, Hanson says, and horti- culture and landscape architec- ture programs have graduated many more women in the past 10 years. ValleyCrest employs women at all levels of the company, from crewmembers to executives. "I see it as a trend that will continue. Gender is no longer relevant," Hanson says. From a business savvy part- ner and an industry veteran to a risk-taking owner and a visionary newbie, here are portraits of four representa- tive women who have paid their dues, focused on their strengths, tapped into their talents and taken risks – all ac- tions that have led to success. March 2012 / TOTAL LANDSCAPE CARE 21