Meet Our Team.

When you ask someone for the reasons they choose to shop at Chuck Hafner’s they will likely answer ‘the quality of the product and the knowledgeable staff.

The Hafner’s have been growing in the CNY area since 1922. It has always been and continues to be a family operation, and the team here at Chuck Hafner’s is an extension of that family and is essential to both our success and your success.

Professionals Make A Difference.

We like to think we have the most skilled and knowledgable staff in Central New York with an ISA Certified Arborist, and 5  CNLP: Certified Nursery Landscape Professionals on staff who can help you to create your own beautiful outdoor living space. Growing their knowledge is an ongoing process, and the team members take various certifications each year (including the Proven Winners Certification) to make sure they are up to date.

It’s Personal!

Our staff members are avid gardeners themselves, and that certainly shows in the passion they exhibit when helping you with your gardening needs. We always strive to provide you with the best customer experience and the highest quality product.

The Big Picture.

With 65,000 square feet of retail space, a 7.5-acre nursery, 4 acres of growing greenhouses, and over 150 acres of Christmas trees, each team member is vital to the smooth running of the business.

Greenhouse and Retail Growing Operations

Growing over 200,000 plants a year is a huge undertaking, and this process is overseen by our head grower Mark assisted by his team in both the growing and retail greenhouses. The growing process begins in February each year and once the plants are finished, they are hand-selected and transferred to the retail greenhouses. The live flowers team then takes over ensuring the plants you purchase from us leave the store in the best condition possible.

Mark – Department Manager and Head Grower

Mark has been with Chuck Hafner’s for over 35 years. He is responsible for more than 60% of the plants you see in our greenhouses nurturing them from seedling to full-grown plants. He manages our complete growing program making sure we have our signature seasonal plants (hanging baskets, Fall Mums, Geraniums) available when in season.

Chad – Assistant Grower and Buyer

Chad has been a part of the Chuck Hafner team since 1999 and has grown into an important part of our Flower/Produce program.  Working side by side with our head grower, Chad helps to oversee our 75,000sq.ft. of growing greenhouses and works hard to ensure the health of our plants. Chad is also our flower and produce buyer. He is responsible for purchasing many of the flowers you see in our retail greenhouses. He has extensive knowledge of annuals and perennial flowers and is always looking for the latest and greatest varieties.

Dawn – Assistant Manager and Buyer

Dawn has a Bachelor’s degree in Plant Science from Cornell and is a Certified ISA Arborist & Certified Nursery & Landscape Professional. She is responsible for ensuring the greenhouses are fully stocked, and the plants are watered and cared for (ensuring you take home a plant that is at its best), and is happy to answer any questions you may have. Dawn is also so much more than a plant expert to us! She is a driving creative force behind our Fall Festival. She hosts field trips and educational activities for the community. And she is responsible for our handmade wreaths and arrangements team during the holidays.

Kellie– Greenhouse Assistant

Kellie comes to us with a graphic design degree, a passion for houseplants, and an eye for design. Not only is she your source of help in the greenhouses, but her talent is also behind our handcrafted arrangements at Christmas time.

The Nursery Team

With 7.5 acres to look after our Nursery team is a vital part of Chuck Hafner’s, and it is their passion and hard work that helps us to provide the best selection of plants for your landscape.

Marie – Nursery Manager, Head Grower, and Nursery buyer.

Marie is a professional horticulturist and has a background in landscape maintenance & design. She also has a BA in Forest Ecology. She has over 35 years of experience working in the green industry as a nursery manager, including six years at Imperial Nurseries and over 20 years at Chuck Hafner’s. She is also the buyer for the nursery traveling across North America and selecting the best quality plants. She is Proven Winners Certified and a CNLP.  Marie is also responsible for many of the gardening guides you can find here.

Katie – Nursery Manager

Katie is CNLP and Proven Winners Certified and has worked in the green industry since 2003. She is responsible for nursery sales, merchandising, and the organization of the nursery staff along with assisting the landscape contractors in making sure they have the best customer experience possible.

Jon Ted- Nursery Assistant Manager 

Jon Ted has been with Chuck Hafner’s since 2008. He was an integral part of our team that built the infrastructure for our current location; from the paths you walk on in our nursery today, to the irrigation system. He is an Ithaca College graduate, a talented vegan chef, and author of The Vegan Zombie: Cook & Survive. He has also traveled the world as a musician. He brings tremendous knowledge and energy to our Nursery!

Lyndsie- Senior Nursery Sales & Wholesale Representative

Lyndsie has been working in our nursery since 2018. She is very passionate about plants and brings landscaping and nursery experience to the table. Her background makes her a valuable resource for our wholesale customers! You can see examples of her creativity shine through in our Christmas Room as a core contributor on the set up team.  She is also responsible for all of our beautiful decorative hand made wreaths during the holidays!

Kat- Senior Nursery Sales & Head Sales Trainer

Kat is an experienced member of our nursery sales team. She grew up in a greenhouse setting at Brownell sub-zero Roses in East Providence, RI. Her passion for plants goes back to her earliest memories. Kat studied Commercial Arts & Graphic Design and Photography in college. Her artistic background, combined with 15 years as an accomplished real estate agent, has helped to develop her eye as a talented gardener and landscaper. Kat’s talents are also called upon every year to assist with the design of our decorated Christmas Trees.

Sarah– Senior Nursery Sales 

Sarah joined our team in 2020. She graduated from SUNY ESF with a degree in Landscape Architecture and has a passion for landscape design. She knows our inventory like the back of her hand and can help you find the right plants for your landscape.

In-Store Management Team

From farm-fresh produce (when in season) to local specialty foods, home decor, disease control, pest control, grass seed, lawn care, gardening tools, birdbaths, and more, our retail space is literally at the center of our store.

Landscape Division –

Our landscape division is responsible for the outstanding work you can see showcased here.

Dan Metz – Head of landscapes
Dan has over over 35 years of Landscape design and installation experience and holds degrees in Landscape Design and Arboriculture.

Doug
Doug has over 20 years of experience in landscape design and installation. He is an ICPI certified installer and is responsible for some of the water features and paving projects completed by us.

JT
JT is CHL’s Large Project Specialist. He has over 10 years of experience in landscape design and construction with multiple accreditations. He is also a Veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division.

Join Our Team

We know plants!

Your Garden. Your Home. Our Knowledge.