Mickman Brothers Inc. - Sharing Earth's Natural Gifts to Enhance the Lives of those around us.

Mickman Brothers, Inc. History

January 1934		Grandma Mickman made a wreath which 12 year old John V. Mickman sold. This launched the annual Mickman Family Wreath Tradition. Grandma continued to make and sell wreaths until she was 90 years old.
1946		Back from 'The War', John V. started college - partially financed by his own wreath business as well as from the GI Bill.
January 1950's		John V.'s young children, John S., Mark, Jim, Jody and Chris, began helping both dad and grandma with their wreath businesses. Primary tasks included summer 'pine cone picking' in the Black Hills of South Dakota, harvesting boughs and 'helping' with deliveries.
1960's		The Mickman kids began work with their father on the newly acquired Christmas tree farm. They were to have planted 40,000 trees per year for over a decade on these farms.
January 1975		John S. & Chris Mickman decided to start their own company; Mickman Brothers Landscaping.
June 1976		The brothers started the automatic, underground, Lawn Sprinkler Division.
September 1976		John V. sold his part time Christmas Wreath Company to Mickman Brothers. All 15,000 Wreaths were sold in the Twin Cities.
May 1977		John S. baught a farmstead from which Mickman Brothers operated for 10 years.
January 1979		Mickman Brothers earned the first Landscape Irrigation Award from Toro. Seven additional awards would be earned over the next 20 years.
November 1981		First wreaths are shipped to customers outside of Minnesota.
August 1985		Ham Lake property purchased. Plans were initatied for expansion to this new location.
May 1986		Move to Ham Lake Facility was completed. Garden Center opened.
May 1989		Golf Driving Range opened.
June 1990		Mickman Brothers obtained a patent for our new Wreath Packaging Container. This revolutionized wreath shipping and enabled safe shipment of wreaths to out-of-state customers.
October 1994		Balsam, MN Wreath Plant opened.
1995		John and Chris Mickman received an award from the US Forest Service for helping to found and sustain the MN Balsam Bough Partnership.
May 1995		Purchased Chisholm, MN Wreath Plant.
September 1995		John and Chris earned the 'Rural Community Assistance Award' for their work in the conservation of Minnesota's Balsam Tree resources.
June 1997		Purchased St. Francis, MN Wreath Plant.
March 2000		Mickman Brothers broke ground for expanded facility in Ham Lake.
Januray 2001		Construction of our new Ham Lake facility was completed, establishing Mickman Brothers as the premier provider of green industry goods and services in our community.
March 2001		New garden center opened.
August 2001		John S. had a near fatal motorcycle accident. He was in a wheelchair/crutches for the next 15 months.
November 2001		John S. received conservation Award from the MN Department of Natural Resources
April 2003		John S. & Chris Mickman were selected by the SBA as Minnesota's Small Businessmen of the Year.
September 2004		Community Conservationist Award was presented to Mickman Brothers for their past, and ongoing efforts to promote responsible use of our natural resources.
2005		Soil correction to additional 5 acres of Ham Lakes facility was accomplished to allow for future company growth.
August 2007		Construction of a new 13,000 square foot greenhouse was completed to house our growing perennials and annuals for the Garden Center in the spring and summer months. It is also used to facilitate the expanded growing of annuals and perrenials.
October 2007		John and Chris resolved to begin the tradition of planting an evergreen tree for each Holiday Gift Wreath which is sold during the 2007 Wreath Season and in future years.
November 2007		After three years of the 'Hedberg Experiment' both parties decided it would be best to part ways. Steve Hedberg opened his own location about 5 miles from Mickman Brothers in Andover, MN. We wish him and his fabulous company 'all the best!'.
December 2007		Hedberg Aggregates expanded to its own north Metro location, not far from Mickman Brothers!
2008		Construction of the 9,000 square foot shade structure not only enhanced the Garden Center but also provided quality space for short term storage of 48" and 60" wreaths.
January 2008		Chris Mickman was elected President of the Ham Lake Chamber of Commerce.
July 2008		Construction of a new 15,000 sq. foot production greenhouse at Ham Lake.
December 2008		Chris Mickman assumed the new responsibility of Division Manager of the Landscape Design/Build business.
January 2008		John S. Mickman was named as a Director to Village Bank.