FROM THE MTA PRESIDENT, Jeremy Tate
DON’T BLINK
BECAUSE YOU WILL MISS IT
It’s
hard to believe that 2020 is upon us. My grandmother told me as a child that time flies. I know exactly what she meant now that I’m 12 years into my full adult and professional life. I don’t even fret the summer heat anymore because as soon as it starts getting hot it seems like fall comes on in no time. One reason time flies is because I love what I do for a living. There is something that gets in your blood when you care for turf. I embrace the challenges that come with this industry, because the reward of our work is so satisfying. I tell all the young people that work with me that you better love it or you will find a new career. I’m extremely proud to be serving as President this year for the MTA. Our goal is to continue to promote all things turf. We do this through research funding, continued education, and scholarship opportunities for aspiring turf professionals. We are also in the process of creating our own website that will help us promote
membership, schedule events, post jobs, and many other MTA related items. We have a lot of events already on the calendar, and some that are on deck to be scheduled. The first event was the MTA roadshow January 7 in Senatobia, MS. This was a great opportunity to get GCSAA CEU credits and re-certification of pesticide license. Every event I go to I learn something new that helps me promote great turf. Please help me in welcoming the new board members. If you have never served on the MTA board, we would love an opportunity to talk to you. Also, a huge thank you to Linda Wells. She tirelessly keeps our organization on track. Hope everyone has a wonderful new year.
Jeremy Tate MTA President
MEET YOUR NEW MTA BOARD PRESIDENT Jeremy Tate
Tate’s Turf LLC 6477 Morgan Town Rd Sturgis, MS 39769 (662) 209-0023 tatesturfllc@hotmail.com
VICE PRESIDENT Keair Edwards
City of Gulfport 114 Reservation Drive Gulfport, MS 39503 (228) 861-5641 kedwards@gulfport-ms.gov
SECRETARY/TREASURER Dr. Barry Stewart
Mississippi State University Box 9555 MS State, MS 39762 Office: (662) 325-2725 Cell: (662) 312-9335 bastewar@pss.msstate.edu
PAST PRESIDENT Al Osteen
Turf Consultant 104 East Hill Drive Madison, MS 39110 (601) 214-9907 osteenal@gmail.com
ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY Linda Wells
Mississippi State University Box 9555 MS State, MS 39762 Office: (662) 325-0517 Cell: (662) 769-7558 lmw218@pss.msstate.edu
DIRECTORS Chris Hussey / Sod
Hussey Sod Farm 814 Road 1589 Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 231-3203 husseysod@hughes.net
Justin Lanford / North Starkville Country Club 93 King Edward Drive Columbus, MS 39705 (662) 822-5806 Jlanford33@gmail.com
Todd McCullough / Grounds-Lawn Maintenance City of Louisville P.O. Box 510 Louisville, MS 39339 (601) 416-3292 louisvillecoliseum@gmail.com
Rob Webb / Central
GreenPoint Ag 252 Country Club Rd. Canton, MS 39046 (601) 594-5798 Rob.webb@greenpointag.com
6 • MISSISSIPPI TURFGRASS • WINTER 2020
Frank Ogletree / South Hattiesburg Country Club 61 Classic Drive Hattiesburg, MS 39402 (601) 543-5033 FAO617@aol.com
Scooter Huckabee / Industry LADD’S 1105 Christy Street Bossier City, LA 71111 (601) 818-7586 shuckabee@bobladd.com
EX-OFFICIO Dr. Jay McCurdy / Faculty Advisor
Mississippi State University Box 9555 MS State, MS 39762 (662) 325-2331 (731) 514-1514 JMcCurdy@pss.msstate.edu
