About Lincoln Landscaping of Franklin Lakes
Michael Kolenut | Owner
We Are Here To Serve You
Michael E. Kolenut, President of Lincoln Landscaping Inc., grew up in Hawthorne N.J., graduating from Paterson Catholic in 1972. Early influences included working at Goffle Brook Farms and Garden center, working retail, the landscape crew, and of course Christmas, where I hand made all the wreaths for over 10 years. The oldest of six, my work ethic set in early, paper routes at 13 started a series of jobs that led me to William Patterson University.
Graduating in 1977 with an Economics degree. I started Lincoln Landscaping in 1974, to pay for my own college expenses and in part to overcome a great physical challenge. I was paralyzed in an accident, after two years of intensive therapy, I started this company to get back into the shape, I was in prior to the accident.
Incorporated in 1981, Mike’s wife Colleen came on board to manage the finances of a growing company. Environmental stewardship and learning how to manage the landscape, has long been a passion of Mike. He first became interested in Organics after he became associated with Chip Osborne founder of the Organic Landscape Association and President of Osborne Organics. Shortly thereafter, Barry Draycott, owner of Tech Terra Environmental began a series of workshops education landscapers on the Organic Process and how to make it work.
With these friends and mentors; Mike began a journey of a cross country mission to take every
worthwhile class at colleges throughout the country and countless workshops with the top educators in the field. He honed his craft and is now considered to be one of the top “PURE ORGANIC” companies in the New York, New Jersey metro area.
A NOFA registered Organic Company, I have the distinct honor to teach a leg of the NJ Organic Land Care program at Rutgers University to other landscapers who are trying to learn a better way to serve their clients.
My passion has taken me into athletic field management, where in organics we term them “Playing Fields” ever reminding us that children are playing on these fields and every precaution should be taken to insure their safety. At Lincoln Landscaping Inc. we have learned the organic process and have a way to develop organic turf, and gardens that really work. Our properties whether residential, commercial or schools are living examples that organics really work. Come and partner with us to do the right thing for you, your children, your pets, and your community. Our company mission is to get these organics out to you, the client at a fair, most times cost neutral with a chemical program. I invite you to partner up with Lincoln Landscaping Inc. “The natural Choice”
Michael Kolenut, owner of Lincoln Landscaping Inc. of Franklin Lakes has been certified as an Accredited Organic Land Care Professional by OSBORNE ORGANICS, LLC.
The Accredited Organic Land Care Professional Certification Program incorporates three concepts; the use of natural, organic products as mandated by soil testing, and understanding and indepth grasp of the soil and it biomass; and the continued use of sound cultural practices. This is fundamentally different from the conventional product approach to turf management and provides landscape professionals with a holistic, natural alternative.
This certification is a result of in-depth trainings of landscape contractors in natural turf methods with the goal of assisting in growing the knowledge base in the field of natural turf management.
One of the unique capabilities of this certification is the ability to discuss the benefits of healthy turf and landscape transition with homeowners, municipal and private sector grounds staff, and more.
Kris Kolenut | General Manager
I grew up in Bergen County New Jersey. I’ve been helping my dad for as long as I can remember. In high school I had some other job experiences (supermarkets, restaurants, etc.) but none of those ever felt right. Once summer hit, it was back to landscaping. After high school I spent a few more years working with my father, and really got an opportunity to learn how it all works. As good of a situation as I had, there was still a lot for me to learn.
After moving around the country and experiencing the northwest and southwest, I found myself just outside of Asheville, North Carolina where I was fortunate to get a job at a therapeutic wilderness program for teenagers. This incredibly challenging and rewarding job opened my eyes to the power of our spiritual connection with nature.
For the next few years I became dedicated to helping people get out and form a bond with their environment. I guided canoe, kayak, extended backpacking/camping trips, fly fishing, you name it. I wanted any opportunity to get people out in the true elements of this world and show them the raw power that exists around us.
Somewhere mixed in there I attended Brevard college and graduated with a degree in Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education. After school I was still guiding, but also spent a lot of time a little closer to my routes. Also working as a landscaper, farmer, and also was fortunate enough to spend some time doing invasive species management in some of the most beautiful terrain in the country. It was an incredible place to live, and to grow into a well rounded professional and adult. It was the dream life in many ways.
I had been very proud of my dad for all the great work he has been doing for a while. I was working at a large brewery down in North Carolina on their grounds crew and was able to get them set up with a composting system, a 250 gallon compost tea brewer, and a turf management plan. My father helped me along the way with advice and put me in touch with his community of people and I was just so inspired by all the work they are doing.
The negative impact that the landscape and agriculture industries has had on the health of our planet and humans alike is catastrophic. Being on the forefront and really doing something about this issue was incredibly gratifying, and really ingrained what my true passion is, and why I find myself back here. I want to help people forge a greater spiritual bond with their environment, and that cannot be done if the the plants we touch and the food we eat makes our bodies sick.
LINCOLN LANDSCAPING of FRANKLIN LAKES
Member New Jersey Nursery and Landscaping Association
LINCOLN LANDSCAPING of FRANKLIN LAKES
Member Ecological Landscape Alliance
