Director’s Corner

VTC is Member Focused

Many of you, our members, are responsible for the entire landscape. Our services and our plans reflect that reality. From the Horticulture Short Course, to the successes of the VTC Environmental Institute (VTC-EI), to our meetings with state agencies, we work hard to serve you, our membership.

We pioneered the Horticulture Short Course two years ago. Lockdowns forced us to skip a year, but we are pleased to say plans are “full speed ahead” for us to hold three in-person days of intensive training in Richmond this December 7, 8, and 9. In addition to the always popular turfgrass basics taught by Virginia Tech professors, attendees will learn about other aspects of the landscape. Trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials will all be discussed from the industry perspective. Learn how to properly — and profitably — select and maintain these non turfgrass plants.

The VTC-EI is less than one year old. We formed it because we needed a mechanism to serve our members by (1) partnering — whenever possible — with environmental groups and (2) representing our industry before Virginia’s regulatory and legislative agencies. Service projects are one mechanism that achieves both objectives.

Planting American Beach Grass plants in Virginia Beach, our first service project, has generated tremendous goodwill for our industry among politicians (including Virginia Beach’s Mayor) and environmental groups. Regarding the latter, one environmental group that has long opposed our industry has asked to assist us with the next planting. Never forget, these groups have a voice with local voters and politicians that our industry will likely never obtain. We need every friend as Virginia’s elected representatives are increasingly influenced by anti-industry policies of our northern neighbors. Also, never forget, these service projects are ours. We control the actions and the narratives.

We are currently working with key persons in Petersburg on our second service project — partnering with various persons, organizations, and agencies to eliminate sediment flowing into the James River. Watch for details.

In his column, VTC President Mike Skelton mentions our recent interaction with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Read what he wrote. Our work with that agency is just one more example of our member focus.

We never forget that we exist because of you, the industry professional.

Tom Tracy, Ph.D.

VTC Executive Director