By Harris Wheeler, Virginia Turfgrass Council Vice President

Childhood Roots and Lifelong Passion

On September 19, 2025, our crew performed routine maintenance at the Bellemeade Outdoor Learning Park in South Richmond. The park sits just behind Oak Grove Elementary School and serves as a vital green space with sports fields, gardens, picnic areas, and nature trails. That day, mothers gathered with their young children who ran through the sandbox, climbed mulch piles, and chased one another with laughter. It was a reminder of why this work matters. In a world dominated by technology, children still need nature. Developing a love for the outdoors early in life builds healthier bodies and stronger minds.

My mother, Pauline Wheeler, now 103, instilled that lesson in me. She was a lifelong gardener and required us to dig the family plot by hand each year. We spent our childhood outside, shooting marbles and playing horseshoes. The backyard had no grass, but it was filled with joy. Those early lessons shaped me into the person I am today. At 74, I have now spent more than four decades in the lawn and landscape industry. My career has been rich with learning, growth, and opportunities to promote environmental stewardship. My goal now is to share those experiences and train others in this field.

The Start of a Career

In 1983, I launched my lawn care career almost by accident. Two nephews spent the summer with me, and instead of letting them sit idle, we designed flyers and started mowing lawns under the name TLC Lawn Service. I enjoyed being outdoors, which offered relief from my job as a claims representative with The Travelers Insurance Company. When my nephews returned home, I kept mowing, and word of mouth brought more clients. In June 1984, I left the stability of my insurance career to pursue lawn care full-time. Looking back, I had no clear plan, but I had determination.

Protecting the Environment

Environmental protection is often defined as taking measures to prevent pollution and preserve the balance in nature. For me, it is about stewardship. Every lawn, park, or community space offers an opportunity to model care for the land.

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