From the President

It’s Time to Renew Your TCNC Membership

It's that time of year, everyone! Unless you have just joined us in the last few months, now is the time to renew your TCNC membership. I want to take this opportunity to remind you of your membership benefits but also tell you about a few new things happening with TCNC. The Turfgrass Council of North Carolina provides numerous valuable benefits to its members. These benefits primarily come in many forms to help support the turfgrass industry in North Carolina. This, in turn, helps secure livelihoods working in the industry.

A key benefit the Council offers is Legislative Support.

Your membership provides the opportunity for TCNC to act as your voice on important issues like water allocation/use, pesticide & fertilizer use, taxation of services, H-1B Regulations, noise ordinance laws and so many others. This benefit is primarily enacted through the North Carolina Green Industry Council (NCGIC). By being a member of TCNC, you are a member of NCGIC. This Council is critical as it unites all green industry associations and constituents to:

• Represent and protect members’ legislative interests

• Promote the value of green industry products and services

• Advocate for the green industry as a leader of environmental stewardship

Be on the lookout for email communications about the upcoming Water Symposium being hosted by NCGIC in late July or visit www.ncgreenindustrycouncil.org

The next benefit I hope you are utilizing is Education.

TCNC provides opportunities for CEUs throughout the year such as the TCNC Educational Conference, where the latest research is provided, and through our partnership with NC State University you can receive a discount on the NC State Turfgrass Field Day. Check out page 10 for more information on this and be sure to take advantage of TCNC’s special $10 pricing

Just this year, TCNC started hosting member meet-ups - where members could network and learn from other members. Hopefully you participated in these. If not, be on the lookout for more information about the next gathering.

Lastly, TCNC is the only association that facilitates the North Carolina Certified Turfgrass Professional certification (NCCTP). Being an NCCTP gives you professional credibility allowing you to stand out from your competitors. You can only be an NCCTP if you are a TCNC member.

On top of all that, your membership allows TCNC to provide research funding through NC Turfgrass Foundation, trade magazine, scholarship funding for qualified turfgrass students through the Eagle Foundation and discounted Workers Compensation Insurance through First Benefits.

Hopefully you agree that the cost of membership is greatly offset by the value of these benefits.

TCNC has been here for you since 1974 and great appreciates your continued support.

Kevin Herrmann

TCNC President