University of Minnesota Turf Research Program
Where Does the Money Go? By Erin McManus, Research Committee Co-Chair with supporting material from Dr. Brian Horgan, Sam Bauer, Dr. Angela Orshinsky and Dr. Eric Watkins
Twelve years ago the MGCSA, both class and affiliate members, decided it was a wise investment to encourage our recently hired Turf Education Professor, Dr. Brian Horgan, in his bid to sell the UMN “powers” on the creation of an industry supported turf testing and evaluation destination to be housed upon the St. Paul campus. With considerable cash, in kind donations, sweat equity and many, many hours of foresight and planning, the Turfgrass Research, Outreach and Education Center came to fruition. Early on in the process, the University and industry recognized
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the value of a partnership with the TROE Center. Oh, and golf was still in it’s hey day and students populated the turf management classrooms. The partnership has not wavered but it has been tested and challenged beginning in 2008 when the economy hit the skids. In addition, entrance requirements for the University of Minnesota have changed the undergraduate student population away from applied disciplines like turfgrass science. Professors were required to pursue grant money to support their programs and industry was asked to supplement the TROE Center budget.