Adam and Emily Hackfort own and operate Hackfort Landscaping, LLC.
Lake Panorama native says he is able to do a lot of different projects both on and off the lake.
By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times
Adam Hackfort was born and raised at Lake Panorama. His parents, Bill and Marcia Hackfort, moved to the lake in 1991 and raised their four children, Brittany, Erica, McKayla and Adam, there.
Last April, Adam launched Hackfort Landscaping, LLC with Lake Panorama as his target market.
“I saw the value of entrepreneurship when I had a small mowing business here at Lake Panorama throughout high school,” he says. “It was a fulfilling job to have during those summers away from school, so the idea of doing similar work fulltime was exciting.”
After graduating from Panorama in 2016, Hackfort attended Iowa State University. He graduated in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree, majoring in supply chain management with a minor in management.
He was hired by Pella Corporation and started in the central materials management department, purchasing hardware for the company’s wood, vinyl and fiberglass manufacturing locations. After three years, he was promoted to a supply chain analyst.
At about the same time, he met his future wife, Emily, on CatholicMatch.com.
“We both had certain qualities we were looking for in a spouse,” Adam says. “When we first met in 2023, we knew right away we had something special.”
Emily was born and raised in Belle Plaine, Minnesota. She graduated from Chesterton Academy in 2020 and worked at her parent’s furniture and flooring store, Berger Interiors. She was the sales manager and helped customers select flooring, cabinets, countertops, window treatments, furniture and mattresses. She also was in charge of scheduling installers and ordering material for their installs.
The young couple decided they wanted to make their home in Guthrie County. They married at St. Cecilia’s in Panora on May 31, 2025, and now live in Panora.
“Emily and I decided to start our own business shortly before we got married,” Adam says. “I enjoy projects where I can use equipment and work with my hands. Sweat equity goes a long way, and I have enjoyed outside work since I was a young kid helping my parents with home improvement projects. I also love being around the lake, so landscaping was a good fit.”
Hackfort left his previous job, and Emily got a job in Iowa working mostly remotely as a cabinet sales representative.
“It was a great time for us to give our own business a try,” Adam says. “The business has been a great blessing. Our clients have all been wonderful to work with. We love seeing the end results and the smiles on our customer’s faces.”
Hackfort says he is able to do a lot of different projects both on and off the lake.
“Starting out, I did a lot of rock beds, edging and smaller property improvements. As the summer went on, I completed a few different paver patios, old dock removal, small retaining walls, stump grinding, shoreline repairs, driveway and culvert installation, material delivery, brush and tree clearing, tree planting and more,” he says. “Currently, I have a track loader, a dump trailer and other equipment, so I am able to complete a wide variety of projects that customers may need.”
For now, Hackfort Landscaping doesn’t have any employees, but family members provide support.
“My dad has been a huge help getting the business started from talking through projects to helping at jobs,” Adam says. “Emily had a lot of experience with business management and scheduling from Berger Interiors, so she has been very helpful behind the scenes. Emily and my mom also have helped out on the jobsite a few times to wrap up some projects. Emily works fulltime at her job but has flexibility to help out with the business in many ways.”
Hackfort says while the company name is Hackfort Landscaping, LLC, he is able to service outdoor project needs that aren’t just landscaping.
“We offer services at Lake Panorama and surrounding areas. Anyone who needs help around their property, I would be happy to connect with and help come up with a solution,” he says.
Hackfort can be reached by text, phone call or email. His cell number is 641-757-1843 and email is HackfortLandscaping@gmail.com. Photos showing completed projects are on Facebook and Instagram under hackfortlandscaping.
Adam Hackfort used stones of two different colors and a mix of sizes on this project.
Adam Hackfort cleaned up an overgrown landscape bed near a customer’s beach by creating a boulder edge, removing weeds and adding a fresh layer of mulch.
On this project, Hackfort Landscaping removed existing sod, laid out planter stone edging, new weed barrier fabric and one-inch limestone, then placed pavers to wrap up this outdoor entertainment space.
This original walkway to the shoreline from a customer’s home needed an upgrade.
Adam Hackfort added rock to fill in an area where grass wouldn’t grow and the ground was subject to erosion before placing new pavers to create a safe walkway to the water.