Director’s Letter

Fellow Professionals and Friends of the MTC,

The 50th Anniversary Maryland Turfgrass Conference and Trade Show, being held at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City on December 16 is approaching quickly. The Education Committee had been working diligently to prepare a quality program of current advancements in Turfgrass Management which can only help make your job easier.

Additionally, we are striving to provide you with opportunities to get your needed CEU’s and other credits for MD Pesticide, MD Fertilizer, DC Pesticide, DE Pesticide, VA Pesticide, VA Fertilizer, WV Pesticide and PA Pesticide Applicators Licenses. Plus, we are applying for Golf Course Superintendents Education Credits, Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council CEU’s, MD Tree Expect License credits and more. If there are additional credits you wish us to apply for, please contact either myself or Ben Ellis as soon as possible and we will do our very best.

You can find a schedule for the conference in this issue. If you would like to register, become a conference sponsor or pay your membership dues, please visit our website.

As many of you know, this is my last message to you. I have had the pleasure of serving on this Board for over 50 years, the last 13 as its Executive Director, but it’s time to pass the baton to someone younger and breathe some new blood and ideas into the organization. Please join with me to welcome Ben Ellis as the New Executive Director, effective January 2026. Ben and I have been working together closely to provide a smooth and uniform transition, and we will continue to talk and work together anytime the needs arise. I feel very confident turning over the ropes to Ben. Please give him the same support you have always provided me and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

I thank you all for your support and friendship and memories you have all provided over the last 50 years. If I can ever help you, I am always just a phone call or e-mail away.

Vernon Cooper

Executive Director