President’s Message
Turfgrass Calendar
ALL SAME BOAT IN THE
Mark your calendar and save these dates! JUNE 17, 2021
VTC-Environmental Institute Road Show Ashburn (Northern Virginia)
Michael Skelton VTC President
S
pring has arrived and everywhere you look you see those in the turf industry out in full force. The sound of equipment running and the smell of freshly mown grass are just what we needed. But for some industries it has been a strange spring—for example, high school sports having football, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, softball and baseball all at the same time. You all are amazing. There have also been many in the turf industry whose budgets have been drastically cut but still have to meet the high demands they were supporting before the pandemic. What is the answer? EDUCATION. It is key to success in making the hard decisions when you have to prioritize how best to use your budget to get the most out of your turf. Also there is nothing like being able to “Call A Friend/ VTC Member.” Remember we are all in the same boat. Your VTC Board is always working on how we can provide the education you need to ensure your success. Please take time to visit our website at vaturf.org to see the latest educational opportunities. Don’t forget one of your benefits as a member is free pesticide and fertilizer recertification. I wanted to share with you the success of the first ever Virginia Tech School of Turfgrass Ecology and Management (STEM) (Virtual Program). There were 34 students, and out of those, 12 have completed the process of becoming Certified Turf Professional (CTP). Those who have not yet completed all the requirements to become CTPs have until October 31 to sit for the exam. Lessons learned include the timing of the course; this year’s course finished up too late in the year. The schedule for the next class will be adjusted so the class ends before everyone gets busy in March, so be on the lookout for the next class to start in early November this year. A little back history is that this course replaces the previous VT Turf Short course. I would like to congratulate Sam Doak on his upcoming retirement. He has had a profound impact on the Virginia turf industry as an instructor on staff at Virginia Tech with the Agricultural Technology Program. The VTC will miss him as he was someone we knew we could call on to support our education programs. I’m sure all of you remember him teaching us how to calibrate spreaders or sprayers, and of course, one of our favorite areas: turf math. Sam, thanks for all you have done for us. You will be missed. Enjoy retirement and new adventures in Florida.
Mike Skelton VTC President
JUNE 24, 2021
Virginia Tech Field Day Virginia Beach
DECEMBER 6 – 9, 2021
Horticulture Short Course Henrico
JANUARY 2022
Legislative Day Richmond
JANUARY 2022
Mid Atlantic Turf Expo Glen Allen
FEBRUARY 14 – 16, 2022
Come to the Bay Virginia Beach
Virginia Turfgrass Council (VTC) 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, Virginia Turfgrass Journal, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or VTC members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this bimonthly publication. Copyright © 2021 by the Virginia Turfgrass Council. Virginia Turfgrass Journal is published bimonthly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of VTC. POSTMASTER: Send change of address notification to VTC, P.O. Box 5989, Virginia Beach, VA 23471. Postage guaranteed. Third-class postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Virginia Turfgrass Journal allows reprinting of material published here. Permission requests should be directed to VTC. 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 insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Suite 200, Franklin, TN 37064-3394, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524. Deadlines are the first of the month prior to the following month’s publication. (Example: August 1 for the September issue.)
6 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL May/June 2021 www.vaturf.org
For event news & updates, visit www.vaturf.org
