Farmers Defense recently hit an incredible milestone: 225,000 trees planted through their partnership with Ecodrive.

That’s a huge legacy to leave for the planet, and it’s helping to grow their business too.

In fact, 60% of customers say they were influenced to shop with Farmers Defense because of their pledge to plant a tree for every product sold. (More on that later.)

We caught up with co-founder Kaz Kosciolek to hear how the brand got started, how they use sustainability messaging to fuel growth, what their customers think, and what makes a perfect garden.

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On Building and Growing a Business

"Creative is key, but so is knowing your niche. Start tight, build a loyal community, and expand from there. That’s what’s really worked for us."

Founded in 2018, the company started with a simple yet innovative idea: to create protective gear specifically for gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts.

With backgrounds in marketing and product development, the team bootstrapped their way into a focused category, and never looked back.

“Laser focus was key to getting off the ground. That early success has since allowed us to expand our product line to include protective sleeves, gloves, hats, kids’ gear - and we have plenty more ideas on the way.”

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On the Business Impact of Sustainability

"Our customers are people who spend a lot of time outside. They inherently appreciate nature and want to give back," Kaz explains.

Enter Ecodrive.

Kaz first discovered Ecodrive at an industry event, and the synergy between the two companies was immediately clear.

"It was something we’d already thought about doing," Kaz told us. "You guys made the process super easy, and we knew that both existing and potential customers would respond well. We added your technology to our site, promoted the fact that we were now planting trees for every order via email and on-site messaging, and saw a really positive response right from the start."

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On Integrating Ecodrive Technology

Farmers Defense added tree-planting messaging and creative assets throughout their online store - most notably at checkout.

From there, they gradually expanded to include callouts across their social channels, emails, and post-purchase communications.

"Setup was pretty straightforward," Kaz says. "We added banners, creative blocks, and cart messaging, and we’ve continued to build on that over time. Now that we have the data showing how much customers care, we’re looking to highlight the partnership even more."

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So, How Much Do Customers Care?

The results speak for themselves.

In a recent survey, Farmers Defense asked customers what had a greater influence on their decision to buy: their product guarantee or their promise to plant a tree with every order.

Over 60% of customers selected tree planting as a key reason they chose to shop with the brand.

"That was super validating," Kaz says. "We’d seen positive signals from conversion data and A/B testing, but that direct feedback sealed it."

Not only has the initiative contributed to incremental conversion growth, but it also aligns perfectly with the Farmers Defense story.

Environmental messaging helps attract the right kind of customers, cultivate loyalty, and set the company up for long-term success.

Throw in packaging innovations like compostable materials and recycled plastic sleeves, and it’s clear the brand is thinking sustainably across the board.

“We consistently see positive results whenever we talk about our tree planting project. We distribute monthly recaps of our progress and they always have strong engagement. Open and click-through rates are always solid,” Kaz adds.

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What’s Next?‍

As the company evolves, Farmers Defense plans to expand beyond the gardening niche — aiming to reach anyone who loves the outdoors and needs functional protective gear.

With new product drops coming soon (including a special launch campaign for Earth Month!) and a growing social presence led by a nature-loving content creator, the brand’s next chapter is set to be its greenest yet.

"We want to be there for people not just when they’re in the garden," Kaz says, "but for anything they do outside, all year round."

And of course, they’ll be planting trees every step of the way.

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Quick-Fire Questions

Favorite product?‍

“Our new Nitrile Gloves and our Rugged Leather Gloves. They’re perfect for anything around the yard - moving things, cleanup, you name it."‍

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Favorite thing about gardening?‍

"I like to grow veggies that I can share with coworkers or family. There’s nothing better."‍

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Everyday sustainability practice?‍

"Buying local, especially when it comes to food. Living in Watsonville helps with that!”

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A huge thanks to Kaz for taking the time to share the Farmers Defense story with us.

It’s always inspiring to see a brand that leads with purpose and puts our planet first.

They’ve already planted over 225,000 trees - and with your help, the next milestone won’t be far away.

If you’re looking for the perfect gear to get outside and stay protected this summer, whether you’re gardening, landscaping, or just enjoying the sunshine, check out Farmers Defense.

You can even use the code ECODRIVE15 at checkout for 15% off of your order!

Every product sold will plant a tree and create lasting impact.

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