After 35 years in the restaurant business in Downey (Stox Restaurant) and Anaheim (Mr. Stox Restaurant) California, Harry Sr. and Maurine Fahnestock retired in 1977. Their son Harry Jr., who had managed both restaurants, began a career in the roofing and insulation business. By 1978, Harry Sr. grew tired of retirement and Harry Jr. and Joanne Fahnestock wanted to move to the Reno area.
Harry Sr. & Maurine Fahnestock
What began as a simple investment soon became an opportunity for the Fahnestock’s to capitalize on a startup sod farming business in Winnemucca, Nevada. Their first office was an old Model Dairy building on Peckham Lane.
Maurine, Harry Sr. & Joanne Fahnestock at Western Turf’s Original Peckham Office
Harry Sr. answered the phone and went on sales calls. He towed an 8,300lb forklift behind his ¼-ton Ford pickup – something highly illegal that would cause the lift to jackknife the truck if he braked too fast. Maurine answered the phone, took orders, typed all invoices, and assisted with bookkeeping.
Harry Jr. Teaching Jason
How to Drive a Mower
Harry Jr. delivered sod orders in the morning then drove back and forth to the Winnemucca farm sometimes twice a day to bring sod to the office. On weekends, Joanne would help with answering the phone and taking orders and their son Jason would help hand-loading sod and cleaning up around the office.
Western Turf’s First Sod
Farm in Winnemucca
Western Turf & Hardscapes
Opens S. Virginia Street Office
Harry Jr. Officially Joins
the Family Business
Western Turf Opens
Dayton Sod Farm
For a short time, they farmed in Stagecoach, Nevada, before purchasing the current farm in Palomino Valley in 1986. At this time, Don Dunivan joined the family and was the farm manager for many years.
Development Begins on the
Palomino Valley Farm
Jason joined the operation at the farm in 1994 and his wife Laura began working in the office shortly thereafter. They both learned every aspect of the operation and, after many years, earned the positions of General Manager and Office Manager.
Office Installed at the
Palomino Valley Farm
Western Turf Moves to the
Tacchino Office
In 2007, the family decided to expand and diversify the business, beginning sales and distribution of hardscape materials such as: topsoil, soil amendments, and decorative rock. When Harry and Joanne retired in 2019, Jason and Laura assumed their roles leading the family business. In the future, new products and services would find their way to Western Turf & Hardscapes to serve the needs of our customers.
Western Turf & Hardscapes Staff
Over the years, Western Turf & Hardscapes has been involved in our community, cooperating with many projects. Both Harry Jr. and Jason have served as president of the Nevada Landscape Association and Harry Jr. has served on several water agency boards. The company has been awarded too many honors to mention for their standard of the highest quality products backed by the best customer service.
Western Turf & Hardscapes
Moves to Our New Showroom
on Barron Way
After 35 years in the restaurant business in Downey (Stox Restaurant) and Anaheim (Mr. Stox Restaurant) California, Harry Sr. and Maurine Fahnestock retired in 1977. Their son Harry Jr., who had managed both restaurants, began a career in the roofing and insulation business. By 1978, Harry Sr. grew tired of retirement and Harry Jr. and Joanne Fahnestock wanted to move to the Reno area.
Harry Sr. & Maurine Fahnestock
Maurine, Harry Sr. & Joanne Fahnestock at Western Turf’s Original Peckham Office
What began as a simple investment soon became an opportunity for the Fahnestock’s to capitalize on a startup sod farming business in Winnemucca, Nevada. Their first office was an old Model Dairy building on Peckham Lane.
Harry Sr. answered the phone and went on sales calls. He towed an 8,300lb forklift behind his ¼-ton Ford pickup – something highly illegal that would cause the lift to jackknife the truck if he braked too fast. Maurine answered the phone, took orders, typed all invoices, and assisted with bookkeeping.
Harry Jr. Teaching Jason How to Drive a Mower
Western Turf’s First Sod Farm in Winnemucca
Harry Jr. delivered sod orders in the morning then drove back and forth to the Winnemucca farm sometimes twice a day to bring sod to the office. On weekends, Joanne would help with answering the phone and taking orders and their son Jason would help hand-loading sod and cleaning up around the office.
Western Turf & Hardscapes opens South Virginia Street Office
Harry Jr. Officially Joins the Family Business
Western Turf Opens Dayton Sod Farm
Development Begins on the Palomino Valley Farm
For a short time, they farmed in Stagecoach, Nevada, before purchasing the current farm in Palomino Valley in 1986. At this time, Don Dunivan joined the family and was the farm manager for many years.
Jason joined the operation at the farm in 1994 and his wife Laura began working in the office shortly thereafter. They both learned every aspect of the operation and, after many years, earned the positions of General Manager and Office Manager.
Office Installed at the Palomino Valley Farm
Western Turf Moves to the Tacchino Office
In 2007, the family decided to expand and diversify the business, beginning sales and distribution of hardscape materials such as: topsoil, soil amendments, and decorative rock. When Harry and Joanne retired in 2019, Jason and Laura assumed their roles leading the family business. In the future, new products and services would find their way to Western Turf & Hardscapes to serve the needs of our customers.
Over the years, Western Turf & Hardscapes has been involved in our community, cooperating with many projects. Both Harry Jr. and Jason have served as president of the Nevada Landscape Association and Harry Jr. has served on several water agency boards. The company has been awarded too many honors to mention for their standard of the highest quality products backed by the best customer service.
Western Turf & Hardscapes Staff
Western Turf & Hardscapes Moves to Our New Showroom on Barron Way
