Alabama Turf Times - Spring 2016

Spring 2016

Baseball and Softball Are

Sports Played in the Dirt

Late-Summer

Annual Weed Control Your Staff Is Your

Best Publicity Asset

Spring 2016

Top Features 14

Upcoming Events — 8 Mole Cricket Classic and Deep South Turf Expo

ATA Member Spotlight — 10 Edzard van Santen, Ph.D. Cover Story — 14 Baseball and Softball Are Sports Played in the Dirt

Turf Tips — 18 Late-Summer Annual Weed Control

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Business Matters — 20 Your Staff Is Your

Best Publicity Asset

Recent Events — 22 2016 RoadShow Seminars and Sports Turf Field Day

Departments

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From the President’s Pen ATA Annual Sponsors Welcome, New ATA Members!

Auburn Turf Team Calendar of Events Advertiser Index

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Front-cover photograph courtesy of Paul Patterson, University of Alabama Huntsville.

www.AlTurfgrass.org 4

The Alabama Turfgrass Association serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Alabama Turf Times, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Alabama Turfgrass Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publication. Copyright ©2016 by the Alabama Turfgrass Association. Alabama Turf Times is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Alabama Turfgrass Association. Third-class postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertion please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

From the President’s Pen >>>

A

Jason Cooper

2016 ATA Annual Sponsors Gold • • • • • •

ayer Environmental Science B Beard Equipment Company Greenville Turf & Tractor Harrell’s, Inc. Jacobsen Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation

Silver • • • • •

BWI Companies Ewing Residex SiteOne Landscape Supply Syngenta

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Bronze • • • • • • • • •

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AGRI-AFC, LLC Agromax Aquatrols BASF Dow AgroSciences Humphries Turf Supply PBI-Gordon Southern States Turf Sur-Line Turf

Great Start to 2016

2016

is off to a fast start, and the ATA has been working hard to keep our members up to date and informed. This first quarter saw us hit the road again with the annual RoadShow seminars. The RoadShows have become a staple for the ATA in their goal of bringing educational and networking opportunities to you, the members. We returned to some of our favorite places as well as a new stop in Auburn. Thank you to everyone who participated and, especially, to the sponsors — PBI/Gordon (lunch sponsor), Agri-AFC, Agromax, Alabama Green Industry Training Center/ACES, Alliance Small Engines (Blossman Gas Services), Beard Equipment Company, BWI Companies, Ewing Irrigation, Gowan Company, Harrell’s, Humphries Turf Supply, Jacobsen, JBT Power, Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation, Residex, SiteOne Landscape Supplies, Southern States Turf and Sur-Line Turf — for their dedication to these events.

The start of spring also included a stop in Tuscaloosa for the bi-annual Sports Turf Field Day on March 17. This event is a great way to see the everyday activities that are involved in sports-turf management and to network with other industry leaders. Thank you to our hosts (Bowers Park, Sokol Park and Sewell-Thomas Stadium) and their staff members for making our trip to T-Town a success. This was our first visit to Tuscaloosa for the Sports Turf Field Day; other locations have included Birmingham, Huntsville and Orange Beach. Mark your calendars for spring of 2018 as we head again to south Alabama for the next Sports Turf Field Day. As we look forward to the rest of spring and summer, we are setting our sights on the Mole Cricket Classic Fishing Tournament on August 14–15 in Orange Beach.

Thank you again for your membership and participation in ATA. Please know the ATA board, staff and members are here to assist you in any way we can. If you have any questions, please contact our office. I hope you’ve had a great spring!

Jason Cooper 2016 ATA President Sweetspire Gardens

Alabama Turf Times is the official publication of the: Alabama Turfgrass Association P.O. Box 70 Auburn, Alabama 36831 Tel: (334) 821-3000 Fax: (334) 821-3800 Email: mailbox@alaturfgrass.org www.alturfgrass.org Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 Tel: (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedge communications.com Executive Director Tricia Roberts Alabama Turf Times Editor James Horton Birmingham Botanical Gardens

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Jason Cooper Sweetspire Gardens

Vice President Paul Patterson

Univ. of Alabama Huntsville

Treasurer Tres’ Wilkinson South Dallas Turf

Past President Jeremy Sutton

Montgomery Country Club

BOARD OF DIRECTORS At–Large Kim Byram University of Alabama

David Isbell

Twelve Oaks Landscaping

Mickey Pitts

Beard Equipment Co.

Golf Jeremy Sutton

Montgomery Country Club

Industry Buddy Williams BWI Companies

Institution Joshua Slaven Troy University

Lawn Care Andrew Bice

Blackjack Horticulture

City of Prattville

Sod Paul Salzmann Salzmann Farms

EX OFFICIO/ EDUCATION ADVISORS Dave Han, Ph.D. Auburn University

Jim Jacobi, Ph.D.

Alabama Coop. Extension System 7

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Parks & Recreation Deven Peek

Upcoming Events >>>

Make Plans Now to Attend!

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August 14–15

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October 11–13

Mole Cricket Classic

Deep South Turf Expo

Orange Beach, AL www.AlTurfGrass.org

Beau Rivage • Biloxi, MS www.DeepSouthTurfExpo.org

ATA Member Spotlight >>>

ATA Member Spotlight on

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

E Edzard van Santen, Ph.D.,

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Auburn University

Dr. Edzard van Santen and his wife, Vicki

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dzard van Santen has been a professor and plant breeder at Auburn University in the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences for more than 28 years. It’s with great sadness that we announce he has officially retired as of May 1 and will start working at the University of Florida until he finds a hobby that will fulfill his days during true retirement.

Edzard will forever be a part of ATA history with his contribution of the AU Victory bentgrass that he developed after seeing the situation the drought of 1999 and 2000 had on golf courses. This bentgrass is heat tolerant and has deeper roots than other cultivars and higher shoot density, making it very desirable in our southern region. AU Victory is now scattered over many courses in Alabama, leaving Edzard’s legacy behind as he moves on to greener pastures. Rest assured — he didn’t leave Auburn before turning this new bentgrass into an international commodity. AU Victory is also on golf courses in South Africa now. Leave it to our German-native professor to take his discovery across the big pond!

Reflecting over his career at his retirement reception, Edzard thanked his mentors, which included family and a favorite teacher. His parents, neither of whom finished high school but were brilliant scholars, were highly motivational in showing him the importance of higher education. A grade school teacher, Mrs. Engelmann, recognized Edzard’s potential and pushed him to skip some grades. And his inlaws believed in him to help him financially through graduate school.

Edzard earned his undergraduate degree at Philipps University in Marburg, Germany. He then moved to the U.S. and earned his master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

That’s where he met his wife, Vicki; they eventually settled in Auburn, both finding jobs as professors at Auburn University, and raised their three children: Christina, Kathriana and Jakob.

The plan is for Edzard to spend time in Gainesville during the week and commute back to Auburn on the weekends, as Vicky is still employed in the Department of Pathobiology. It will be great to run into him from time to time, most likely at one of his favorite restaurants in town.

Congratulations on your new endeavor Edzard.

Please don’t be a stranger! v

Welcome, New ATA Members! >>>

Welcome,

New ATA Members!

Andrew Akizuki Mountain Brook Community Church Bessemer, AL Nathaniel Arndt Shoal Creek Golf Club Shoal Creek, AL Michael Arnold Mike’s Lawn and Landscape Maint.

Fort Payne, AL Drew Atchley Decatur, AL Kelly Banfield Banfield Lawn Care Pace, FL Mark Barfield Fort Payne P&R Fort Payne, AL Phonesavanh Berry Van Elmore Services Mobile, AL Jason Bonneville The Links at Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa, AL Curt Boudreau City of Huntsville, Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL Christopher Bradford City of Daphne Daphne, AL

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Scott Brannon Distinctive Landscaping Athens, CA

Allen Bush Auburn, AL Mark Butler Butler Lawn Care Wetumpka, AL Ben Cotton ProTurf, LLC Gadsden, AL Gerald Crafts Lawnscapes, LLC Athens, AL Allyn Crane Crane Horticulture Decatur, AL Philip Creasy Deer Hogger Hazel Green, AL Jason Creel Alabama Lawn Care Pros, LLC Trussville, AL Jonathan DeWitt, CSFM University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL

Zach Gebeart City of Foley Foley, AL Pete Gonzalez Proscapes Turf Montgomery, AL David Harden Harvest, AL James Hardin City of Huntsville, Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL Charles Harwell Green Thumb Nursery Montgomery, AL

Rick Facey City of Orange Beach Orange Beach, AL

Heath Naramore Hoover City Board of Education Hoover, AL

Jason Landrum Landcrafters Gadsden, AL James Lewey Enterprise, AL Lester Linden Century South Ornamentals Elberta, AL Adam Lovell Landscape Mgmt.

Warrior, AL

Eddie Martin Lake Guntersville State Park Guntersville, AL

Ryan Johnson Fort Payne P&R Fort Payne, AL

Brandy Brown Agricultural Services Irondale, AL

Michael Labossiere Oakwood University Huntsville, AL

Paul Hymer PDH Landscapes Scottsboro, AL

Glenn DiNella Barefoot Green Ecoscaping Birmingham, AL

Michael Brass University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL

Corey Naccari TruGreen Huntsville, AL

Kimberly Maddox Maddox Lawn Care Muscle Shoals, AL

Tim Janzen Turf Tamer, Inc. Fort Payne, AL

Richie Edwards Holiday Golf & Racquet Club Panama City, FL

John Kitchens Providence Lawn Care Tuscumbia, AL

Ken Healy Science Turf Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL

James Davis Jim Davis & Co. Vestavia, AL

Derrick Englebert Kelly’s Exterminating/ Turf Management Saraland, AL

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Jay Fults City of Huntsville, Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL

Jarrod Jordan SRM/Plant Depot Elberta, AL Janice Kelly Kelly’s Exterminating/ Turf Management Saraland, AL George Kilpatrick Harmony Enterprises Andalusia, AL Jeff King Athens, AL

Garrick McCarty Running Roots Lawn Care Birmingham, AL Rocky Melton Barefoot Environment Theodore, AL Curtis Moon Joe Wheeler State Park Rogersville, AL John Morgan Third Day Landscape Fairhope, AL Keith Morin City of Foley Foley, AL

Mike Naramore Hoover City Board of Education Hoover, AL Kurtis Nelms Third Day Landscape Fairhope, AL Brad Nelson TurfGuy, LLC Florence, AL Skip Orth Father & Son Pest & Lawn Solutions Navarre, FL Richard (Eddy) Parker Parker Landscaping and Tractor Newville, AL Larry Parmley Sunscape Lawn Service Birmingham, AL Jason Peek Indian Hills C.C. Northport, AL David Phillips Yard Therapy, LLC Wetumpka, AL Joshua Phillips Choice Landscapes Trussville, AL Ryan Piper Cambrian Ridge G.C. – Sunbelt Golf Greenville, AL

Neil Pittman Nitro-Green Lawn Care Madison, AL

Chad Smedley Poarch Creek Indians Atmore, AL

Roger Valentine Total Lawn Care, LLC Robertsdale, AL

Lisa Pride City of Huntsville, Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL

Brandon Smith Landcrafters Gadsden, AL

Greg Walker Providence Christian School Dothan, AL

Jacob Rackard Poarch Creek Indians Atmore, AL Jay Roberson Turfcare–Greenscapes Decatur, AL Gene Scott Turfkeeper Gurley, AL Pam Scott Cambrian Ridge G.C. – Sunbelt Golf Greenville, AL Craig Shaw City of Huntsville, Landscape Mgmt.

Huntsville, AL Chris Sheedy Turf Mgmt. Systems Birmingham, AL

Jerry Smith Green Land Turf, LLC Huntsville, AL Jason Somerville The Fockele Garden Co. Huntsville, AL Michael Spruiell Agricultural Services Irondale, AL

Ray Willett Turfscapes Auburn, AL Gabe Williams Greatfully Green Landscapes, LLC Auburn, AL Ryan Williams Williams Lawn Care Thomasville, AL

Jay Strickland Tuscaloosa County P&R Northport, AL

Bill Wilson Timberline Golf Club Calera, AL

John Thompson John Thompson Mobile, AL

Thomas Wilson Hoover Board of Education Hoover, AL

Charles Underwood Southern Blades, Inc. Meridianville, AL

Allan Yoell Town & Country Lawns Ozark, AL

Some of the Benefits of ATA Membership Educational opportunities through six RoadShow seminars conducted across the state each year, plus field days that are industry specific and provide all ATA members the opportunity to earn Pesticide Recertification points and other industry CEUs. Free subscription to ATA’s quarterly magazine, Alabama Turf Times, and to ATA’s monthly enewsletters, as well as a free listing in ATA’s annual membership directory.

Scholarships for turfgrass students at Auburn University and a Legacy Scholarship for our members’ children and grandchildren.

Discounts on everything from registration fees for various events to ATA clothing and merchandise.

Turfgrass research support through two major fundraisers: the Poa annua Golf Tournament and the Mole Cricket Classic Deep-Sea Fishing Tournament.

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Lobbying efforts for industry concerns.

Cover Story >>>

Baseball and Softball Are Sports

Played in the Dirt

By Pat White, Sports Field Consultant

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S

afety and playability should be the first priority of any maintenance and/or construction plan of baseball and softball playing surfaces. So much is involved in maintaining the turf of an athletic field that often the infield surface does not receive adequate attention to ensure the safety of the athlete participants.

Keeping in mind that six of the required nine players who comprise the defensive unit of a softball or baseball team are actually in the dirt part of the field, with only three defensive players in the turf outfield, be prepared to spend the necessary time required to prepare a safe and playable infield surface.

In the ideal scenario, the turf portion of your field has been aerified, topdressed, fertilized and cared for well in advance of an event so that it just needs to be mowed, and the rest of your attention can be spent tending to the infield, pitchers’ mound, batters’

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boxes and home plate area. Understanding the sport being played and knowing the intricacies of your field should aid in the approach to maintaining your field.

Choosing the infield material

The keys to a quality playing surface begin with (1) choosing a material that will hold up to the traffic of competitive play and (2) having a water source to be able to keep your material consistent. An infield surface must start with a compactable base material, regardless of whether you plan to have a clay surface with conditioner or a stone surface. I prefer an 80% to 90% clay-base material, free of any rocks or debris. Most commonly, an infield surface for baseball should be graded from the turf edge out so that it will drain excess water to the outfield and off of the skinned area of the infield.

Once the grading of the infield base

material is set, the base material should be compacted with a heavy, smooth drum roller.

The next step is the addition of the playable surface material that you have chosen. The deciding factor in choosing between a clay with a conditioner surface or a stone surface would be how much time you are able or willing to spend in maintaining it and prepping it for an event. What also must be considered in choosing between stone or clay is the playability.

A clay surface that is properly cared

municipal fields and high school fields. Although they still require regular grooming, watering and compaction, a stone surface does not get slick like clay when it is excessively wet, therefore allowing play on it without as much intensive scarifying and grooming to have it ready.

Keeping the infield safe

A baseball that is pitched at 90 mph can leave the bat traveling at 110 mph.

Keeping this fact in mind as you work an infield surface will help you under-

stand the importance of what you are doing. The infield surface should be free of any rocks, debris, depressions or anything else that may alter the path of the ball traveling at a high rate of speed. The most common injuries associated with the sports of baseball and softball, aside from arm injuries, are injuries to the face, head and neck. Therefore, if you are responsible for preparing a field for competition play, you are responsible for the safety of the athletes and the playability of the surface. Coaches are responsible for

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for, with moisture consistency and grooming, will hold together better over the course of a game, therefore making it a superior playing surface.

The stone material is a looser material that will get moved around more freely, especially after heavy traffic from competition play.

The two stone surfaces that I’m familiar with are Crimson Stone and Southern Red Rock. Both are somewhat less maintenance intensive than a clay surface, which is why they are used in the multiple-field complexes,

Cover Story >>> Continued

inspecting a field’s surface before play to ensure the safety of his/her team.

Proper care of an infield surface begins with moisture consistency. Clay or stone surfaces will require watering to keep an adequate amount of compaction so the materials don’t break down and become loose and free moving. This causes poor footing and divots or depressions that can alter the path of the ball.

Also, a high-pressure, hose-watering source is needed to keep your infield materials separate from the turf edges.

Buildup of these materials causes a “lip” to be formed that is the numberone cause of a ball taking a bad hop and causing injury to the face, head or neck.

Lips are most commonly formed by wind and rainfall pushing loose infill material to the turf edges. Ways

to prevent lips from forming include alternating your dragging patterns, not scarifying the surface without mat dragging to smooth it back out (especially before rainfall or heavy winds) and, most importantly, keeping adequate moisture to prevent the material from drying and becoming dusty. Use the high-pressure hose to flush any buildup of material from the turf lips when there is a day or so of downtime from events.

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Handling rain events

Now that you’ve invested your time in getting the moisture content right and the field ready for play is when a thunderstorm pops up and dumps an excess of water. Going back to the original installation of your infield, ideally it was graded so that excess water rolls off the surface away from play and that there are no low areas that will puddle. If you have a prior warning to thunderstorms rolling in, it is helpful to not scarify and create any more loose material that can be moved by heavy runoff; instead, roll and compact the material so water will roll off the top and not create a muddy mess.

After the rainfall has subsided, the best course of action is to allow sun and wind to air out the material before trying to work it. If you rush out on a wet surface to rake and scarify, you will do more harm than good and actually compromise the integrity of your grade and material consistency. If you step on the infield and water surfaces from under your foot or the material is still slick, then it is not ready to be worked.

If you have heard someone say they are bringing in a helicopter to dry up the field, there is some validity to that concept because it is about movement of air. I have even used blowers from inflatables to circulate air movement.

Once the determination is made to be able to work the surface, a light scarification with a nail drag can be done to open it up and let it breathe, being cautious to not move material out of wet areas. If you have a clay surface, add conditioner to absorb excess moisture and take the slickness out of the clay, making it more workable. I prefer not to use the quick-dry

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Continued <<< Cover Story

products unless you plan to remove them from the surface later, as they can compromise the consistency of your clay.

After the surface has aired enough to groom, use a cocoa mat drag to smooth the surface again for play. I recommend not using a steel mat drag if your surface is wet or tacky, as it is more aggressive in moving material. If there are areas of the infield that are wetter, you can end up moving more material from those areas, causing more of a problem area.

the surface to be sure water will runoff properly.

In most cases, there will be a buildup of material at the backside of the infield that can be pulled back in where it is needed. Add material to areas that are low, and use the tilling attachment a little less aggressively to blend materials together. Add moisture as necessary, and compact the surface.

Begin with your regularly scheduled maintenance of watering, scarifying and grooming in preparation for play.

Annual renovation

Sports complexes continue to pop up all over the country as travel sports and tournament play represent big money these days. Too often, I have seen a new complex built with a great vision for success but no real plan to maintain it to the standard all athletes should expect. Many times, the maintenance of such a facility is an afterthought and is turned over to volunteers or a landscape company to keep

A heavy scarification is needed from time to time to keep your infield material consistent. I recommend a renovation of your surface annually before seasonal play. The best method that I have found to till an infield is to use a stand-on skid steer with a power rake attachment that will till and blend the material like preparing a soil bed. Once the surface is tilled, re-grade

Final thoughts

the grass cut. Coaches, parents and athletes deserve a safe environment in which to compete, especially when they are in front of an object traveling at a high rate of speed that could cause severe injury or even death.

It is inexcusable to me that athletes are subjected to poor conditions because of lack of personnel, lack of knowledge, lack of budget or whatever the case may be. If the field cannot be properly cared for and prepped for each game, then do not open it up for play. Would you put your child on a roller coaster if the track wasn’t maintained to standards? Maybe it is time to change the phrase “if you build it, they will come,” to “if you maintain it right, they will come.” v About the author Written by: Pat White – Sports Field Consultant, The Athlete In Mind.

Contact him at patwhitestc@gmail. com, or message him on Facebook at The Athlete In Mind.

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Turf Tips >>>

Annual Weed Control

Late-Summer

By Dave Han, Ph.D., Auburn University & Alabama Extension

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S

ome of the most frustrating weeds to control are the annual weeds that seem to take over in the late summer. You’ve seen them before: spurges, chamberbitter (or gripeweed) and doveweed are among the biggest pains for turf managers from June through September. Why is that so?

In a nutshell, it’s because their seeds don’t stop germinating until the fall.

With some weeds — like crabgrass and goosegrass — late-winter and spring applications of preemergence herbicides can provide good control because their seeds germinate only for a few months in the spring. That’s why a traditional spring pre-emergence herbicide program consists of an application in late January or early February, followed by a second application in April.

But even the longest-lasting preemergence herbicides provide only two to three months of control in the summer. By July, any herbicide applied in April will be long gone, and that’s

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when weeds that can germinate in very warm soils become problems.

Although many post-emergence herbicides can kill summer annual weeds, many of them do not give longterm residual control — they will kill what is present when they are sprayed, but then new weed plants germinate from the seeds that are in the soil.

For example, if you are a lawn care operator who cannot get back to respray a given lawn within four weeks, then clients will probably notice weeds returning before you do, when you use standard broadleaf herbicides.

However, recent work done by Dr. Scott McElroy’s team at Auburn suggests that herbicide mixtures containing sulfentrazone — for example Surge (sulfentrazone, 2,4-D, dicamba, and MCPP) and Blindside (sulfentrazone and metsulfuron) — can give longer lasting control. Sulfentrazone is known to have pre-emergence activity, and these products seem to be able to give at

least six weeks of control of doveweed, sometimes more. So, if you are looking for a product to knock down summer annuals post-emergence, but also have a long enough residual to carry through until you can re-treat, products with sulfentrazone could be an attractive option.

Another option is to use a third preemergence application in June, but many turf managers shy away from this because many popular pre-emergence herbicide inhibit root growth, and turf managers are concerned about suppressing the turf’s ability to spread and grow new roots all summer long. Some preemergence options do not inhibit root growth and have general labels, including home lawns, such as indaziflam (Spectacle) and dimethenamid (Tower), but they may not be cost-effective for all users. Note that oxadiazon (Ronstar) is not labeled for use on residential properties, but it could be an option on other turf. v

Business Matters >>>

Your Staff Is Your Best Publicity Asset

By Russell Trahan, Owner/President, PR/PR Public Relations

T

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hroughout the business landscape, countless days and hours are spent on the hiring process — rifling through resumes, conducting phone and in-person interviews and vetting potential hires — and for good reason. Company payroll budgets contain only so much flexibility for new employees, and selecting the correct individual to fill an open position involves much more than just ensuring his/her competence in the role; your new employee is also joining the best weapon in your companywide publicity arsenal: your staff.

Your selection of staff members should go beyond just the tangible skills they bring to the office and their ability to complete projects and achieve goals during the workday. It should also include their talent for recruiting and driving business when the day is done.

Your salaried or commission-based employees — present and future — should recognize the value of out-of-office networking skills and practices, as even simple interactions after-hours or on the weekends could potentially engage new customers or clients.

It is for that reason that you, as a manager or business owner, should consider the people you employ as an essential component to any of your publicity efforts, as they are often your establishment’s first-impression and top recruiting asset once the office lights go out for the evening.

There are multiple best practices for instilling a sense of off-the-clock commitment in your present and future employees, and utilizing them to foster a sense of organizational pride will work wonders in your efforts to bolster your company image. Online, in person and over the phone, your staff members should recognize their value away from the office.

The social ovation

Incalculable business relationships are now created and nurtured in the socialmedia stratosphere, and acuity in this area can be an accurate barometer for real-world success. Along with your business’ online presence and activity, your employees can boost your impact in the social-media arena by broadcasting 20

companywide or individual accomplishments from their personal profiles. This can be as simple as a sharing a blog post that a staff member is particularly proud of or that garnered an extensive degree of attention, or actively promoting any sponsored events or appearances.

Client or customer bases can be developed through your employees’ relationships, especially if they are pleased enough with their individual contributions and the level of work coming out of your offices to show them off. Regularly recognize and applaud their performance in-office, and they may be compelled to share it out of the office — chiefly on their social-media platforms. A fulfilled employee is an employee who enthusiastically wants to share your achievements.

Word-of-mouth is often the most powerful form of promotion or advertising, and your staff can be the premier vehicle for this type of reputation advancement.

The business card is timeless

There is no action in the business world more common than the time-honored tradition of exchanging business cards.

Even with a shift toward internetcentricity and networking, every executive will always have a business card on hand, one that should also contain that person’s array of online links and contact information.

Employers should encourage their staff members to keep a few cards on the ready. Any chance interaction outside of the workplace can quickly shift into a professional conversation, and a casual swap of business cards Saturday night may result in a new product order or contract Monday morning. Many things will change in the business environment, but the business card is a timeless object that will remain a fundamental networking component.

Maintaining a convention game face

Regardless of primary field or industry, chances are you will send out staff representatives to attend a conference or convention on your company’s behalf at some point. Effectively working a booth is an imperative skill that your

employees need to possess to ensure that you receive a tangible return on your sponsorship investment.

Part of making an appearance at a corporate convention a fruitful one is the overall demeanor from inside the booth.

Your employees should understand the value of simple, conversational engagement with those who stop by; not everyone will want to secure your services, but they should all be treated as such.

A smile and a simple acknowledgement greeting to passersby can be the easiest route to increased booth traffic and solid sales leads at the events’ conclusion.

Email etiquette has no day off

With the culture of connectedness that was ushered in by the widespread adoption of laptops, tablets and smartphones, your salaried employees are now within reach at all hours of the day and every day of the week.

When receiving work-related emails or text correspondence while away from the office, your staff should be remain acutely aware that in-house etiquette still applies and not allow themselves to slip into casual text-speak or a tone they may utilize on their day off. Improper email decorum is an immediate strike against company credibility, so make sure you instill in your workforce the importance of proper electronic communication.

In summary

Your product or service is only as good as the people you have on board. When your employees and associates realize and appreciate their value to your operation and the role they play in actively promoting your business, the more cognizant they become of their actions when they leave the workplace. When you impress upon your staff their importance to the company and their influence on overall accomplishments, you create a workplace culture of collective input and shared success.

And when your employees realize their fundamental position in your business, they ardently become an extension of your publicity undertakings and make a point to contribute, even when they are away from the workplace. v

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Recent Events >>>

ATA’s 2016 RoadShow Seminars

Attracted Almost 500 Turf Managers!

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

T

hank you to everyone who attended a RoadShow Seminar earlier this year. The seminars were a huge success again, and we appreciate the support at all six locations (yes, we added one this year): Auburn, Birmingham, Dothan, Huntsville, Loxley and Montgomery. We even threw in a few location changes due to scheduling and building remodels that were out of our control. Throughout the state, ATA educated close to 500 turf managers with all 6 seminars combined. This comes with a great appreciation from the ATA board and staff.

The goal of these RoadShow Seminars has always been to educate turf managers on principles and practices of turf maintenance. They are scheduled during the winter months so there’s no competition with busy work schedules.

There’s obviously a need for these seminars since we have grown now to six seminars, and we appreciate you, our members, for supporting these meetings and events.

We would also like to thank our wonderful speakers who traveled the state, teaching at each of these seminars Thank you to Dr. Dave Han (Auburn University), Bill Abetz (Florikan), Adam Boyd (Auburn University), Dr. Jim Jacobi (Alabama Cooperative Extension System), Dr. Sonja, Thomas (Alabama Cooperative Extension System) and Dr. Austin Hagan (Auburn University ACES). Their continued support of these seminars is instrumental to the events’ success.

In order for these seminars to remain in the “black,” we rely heavily on our sponsors. A big thank you goes out to each of them that supported these

seminars in 2016: PBI/Gordon (lunch sponsor), AGRI-AFC, Agromax, Alabama Green Industry Training Center/ACES, Alliance Small Engines (Blossman Gas Services), Beard Equipment Company, BWI Companies, Ewing Irrigation, Gowan Company, Harrell’s, Humphries Turf Supply, Jacobsen, JBT Power, Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation, Residex, SiteOne Landscape Supplies, Southern States Turf and Sur-Line Turf.

We look forward to bringing these educational opportunities to the industry again next winter. Our tentative dates are as follows for 2017: January 4 in Auburn, January 11 in Loxley, January 18 in Dothan, January 25 in Montgomery, February 1 in Birmingham, February 15 in Huntsville. Until then, thank you for your support. We look forward to seeing you on the road in 2017! v

Re-Play from the

ATA Sports Turf Field Day, March 17, 2016

By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Spr ing 201 6

S

The newly renovated Sewell-Thomas Stadium on the campus of the University of Alabama.

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ports-turf managers from all over the state convened in Tuscaloosa on March 17 for ATA’s bi-annual Sports Turf Field Day. This was the first visit to “The Druid City” for ATA, and we were welcomed with open arms from Patrick White and Jay Strickland (of the Tuscaloosa County Parks and Recreation) and Kim Byram and Jonathan DeWitt, CGSFM (with the University of Alabama).

The morning started out visiting exhibitors and three educational sessions around the fields at Bowers Park. Attendees heard about irrigation troubleshooting from Tom Shannon of Ewing, infield maintenance from past president Pat White of Gulf Coast Sports Fields and managing applications on high-use fields from Waldo Terrell of Harrell’s, Inc. Lunch was provided at the Mimi Seller Pavilion at Bowers Park, and then attendees were bused to another park managed by the Tuscaloosa Country Park and Recreation Association, Sokol Park, where attendees saw a demonstration on planning the lips of the infield by Erik Merkt of g2 turftools. Attendees were then treated to a tour of the newly renovated Sewell-Thomas Stadium on the

Recent Event >>> Continued

campus of the University of Alabama. This was a special treat, as members were able to welcome the new director of sports grounds, Jonathan DeWittt, CSFM. A huge thank you goes out to our speakers for offering their expertise and experience with us throughout the day.

A big thank you also to our sponsors who helped cover the cost of the event. Their support made this event possible, and we truly appreciate them.

When you next need turf supplies or services, be sure to consider AQUA-Aid, Ewing Irrigation, g2 turftools, Harrellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Humphries Farm Turf Supply, Jacobsen, Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation and PBI-Gordon.

Next year, ATA will host our first Landscape Field Day. Look for more details to be announced later this year. The Sports Turf Field Day will return in 2018, as we are on a bi-annual schedule with this informative offering. v

Digital Marketplace Scan the QR code: Download your favorite QR reader to your phone and scan the code to learn more about these companies.

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<<< Auburn Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Turf Team

Auburn Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Turf John Beasley Jr., Ph.D. Department Head, Agronomy & Soils 204 Funchess Hall Auburn, AL 36849 P 334-844-3850 jpb0035@auburn.edu Fudd Graham, Ph.D. Researcher/Entomology 301 Funchess Hall Auburn University, AL 36849 P 334-844-2563 grahalc@auburn.edu Elizabeth Guertal, Ph.D. Professor/Turfgrass Soil Fertility 263 Funchess Hall Auburn University, AL 36849 P 334-844-3999 guertea@auburn.edu

Team

Austin Hagan, Ph.D. Extension Plant Pathologist 143 ALFA Building Auburn University, AL 36849 P 334-844-5503 haganak@auburn.edu

Jim Jacobi, Ph.D. Extension Plant Pathologist 2612 Lane Park Birmingham, AL 35223 P 205-879-6964, ext. 19 jacobjc@auburn.edu

Dave Han, Ph.D. Assoc. Professor/ Extension Specialist, Turfgrass Management 252 Funchess Hall Auburn University, AL 36849 P 334-844-3980 handavi@auburn.edu

Scott McElroy, Ph.D. Assoc. Professor, Turfgrass Weed Science 233B Funchess Hall Auburn University, AL 36849 P 334-844-3992 jsm0010@auburn.edu

David Held, Ph.D. Asst. Professor/Entomology 301 Funchess Hall Auburn University, AL 36849 P 334-844-3818 dwhooo4@auburn.edu

Paul Patterson , Ph.D. Dean, College of Agriculture 107 Comer Hall Auburn University, AL 36849 P 334-844-3254 pmp0003@auburn.edu

Al abam a T ur f Ti me s > >> Spri ng 2016

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Calendar of Events >>>

Turf Events July 10–12 PLANET Legislative Day on the Hill Washington, D.C.

August 1–5 Perennial Plant Symposium Minneapolis, MN

August 14–15

Mole Cricket Classic Orange Beach, AL October 5–8 NRPA Congress and Expo (Nat. Rec. and Park Assn.)

August 22–25 StormCon — 2016 Conference The Stormwater Pollution Prevention Conference Indiana Convention Center Indianapolis, IN

St. Louis, MO

October 11–13

Deep South Turf Expo Beau Rivage Biloxi, MS

October 19–21 LANDSCAPES 2016 (formerly the PLANET Green Industry Conference)

Louisville, KY

October 20-21 GIE+EXPO and Hardscape North America Kentucky Expo Center Louisville, KY

January 24–27, 2017 STMA Conference and Exhibition Orlando, FL

February 4–9, 2017 Golf Industry Show Orange Co. Convention Ctr. Orlando, FL

Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Spr ing 201 6

Index of Advertisers >>>

Agri-AFC,LLC...............................................3 www.agri-afc.com

Humphries Turf Supply.......................... 13 www.humphriesturf.com

Southern Specialty Equipment................7 www.ssequip.net

Aquatrols Corporation of America....... 25 www.aquatrols.com

Jacobsen.......................Inside Front Cover www.jacobsen.com

Southern State Turf................................24 www.ssturf.net

Bayer.......................................................... 19 www.bayerprocentral.com

Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation.................... 9 www.jerrypate.com

Sur-Line Turf, Inc..................................... 21 www.surlineturf.com

BWI Companies..........................................7 www.bwicompanies.com

Leading Edge Communications..............11 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

Syngenta Professional Products............ 17

Coosa Valley Turf Farms.........................24 www.coosavalleyturffarms.com

RD Murphy, LLC.........................................7 www.rdmurphy.com

Ewing Irrigation.......... Inside Back Cover www.ewing1.com

Riebeling Farms, Inc................................ 16

The Turfgrass Group...............Back Cover www.theturfgrassgroup.com

Smith Seed Services................................24 www.smithseed.com

TriEst Ag Group, Inc................................ 16 www.hendrixanddail.com

Southeast Turf Maintenance.................24 www.southeastturf.com

Weed Man................................................24 www.weedmanfranchise.com

Greenville Turf & Tractor, Inc............... 23 www.greenvilleturf.com Gulfcoast Organic Inc...............................5

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The Andersons Technologies, Inc......... 21 www.andersonsgolfproducts.com