Virginia Turfgrass Journal - March/April 2020

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

Highlights from M-A-T-E MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON VTC Board Member Craig Zeigler

March/April 2020

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Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | March/April 2020

Virginia Turfgrass Journal is the official publication of The Virginia Turfgrass Council P.O. Box 5989 Virginia Beach, VA 23471 Office: (757) 464-1004 Fax: (757) 282-2693 vaturf@verizon.net PUBLISHED BY Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com EDITOR Mark Vaughn, CGCS

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VTC OFFICERS President Michael Skelton (540) 718-4133 Vice President Phil Bailey, CGCS Virginia Green Lawn Care (757) 572-1981

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24 DEPARTMENTS

12 Cover Story –

Highlights from M-A-T-E

18 Feature Story –

Evaluating Effects of Pigment of Harrell’s Sources for Improving Bentgrass Putting Green Quality and Root Growth during Summer Stress

24 Member Spotlight – VTC Board Member Craig Zeigler

President’s Message 6 from Mike Skelton

8 Director’s Corner

from Tom Tracy, Ph.D.

8 Virginia Tech Turf Team 10 Legislative Update 16 VTC Membership Information and Application

16 Turfgrass Calendar 26 Index of Advertisers

4 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL March/April 2020 www.vaturf.org

Secretary / Treasurer Jimmy Viars, CGM Gloucester County Public Schools (804) 815-2779 Past President Scott Woodward Woodward Turf Farms (540) 727-0020 VTC DIRECTORS Wes Bray Sam Burris Scott Caskie Tony Montgomery T.J. Skirsky Craig Zeigler ­ VTC ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Mike Goatley, Ph.D. (Chair) Shawn Askew, Ph.D. Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D. David McCall Ph.D. Dan Sandor, Ph.D. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/ DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS Tom Tracy, Ph.D. (757) 464-1004 VIRGINIA TURFGRASS FOUNDATION Brandyn Baty (757) 585-3058

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President’s Message

EDUCATION IS KEY I

would like to share a little of my history. I spent twenty years in the Air Force as an airplane mechanic.

So how does that correlate to the turf industry?

Some of my primary responsibilities were to perform the pre-flight and post-flight inspections and the maintenance that ensured the aircraft was prepared to fly. I knew how every system on the plane worked, how those systems worked in conjunction with each other and what had to be done to keep the plane flying. So, I put those skills into my second career in the turf industry.

These are some the important attributes that are essential to both industries.

First, education is vital. But to whom? Those who work in the industry for sure, but it is also important to be able to share this learned knowledge to other people. Who needs this knowledge? Consider the homeowner, school athletic director, greens committee, coach, politician and even the soccer mom… this list goes on.

Second, performing the task correctly is essential. I’ll focus only on the example of applying fertilizer or pesticide correctly. Misapplications can have many side effects, including damage to the plant you are trying to protect; harm to humans, animals or plants outside the target area; and wasted materials when applying more than needed to be effective. Use your imagination to add to this list. All these lead to increase in cost or also could lead to the applicator’s loss of a job.

Third, no task skipped. An example is the importance of making an informed decision. A simple task like taking a soil sample to know what the turf needs. Walking the turf to scout for pests. Aerating to reduce compaction.

Remember, plants are alive and just like your child, they are totally dependent on you for their survival.

6 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL March/April 2020 www.vaturf.org

Mike Skelton VTC President

Fourth, mistakes are not an option. Nothing is worse than applying the wrong chemical or at the wrong time on the turf. There is no hiding of your work.

Fifth, they can’t pull over and fix a mistake. This I see in some of the decisions we all make every day. An irrigation timing mistake could cost a scheduled major event.

Not closing a fairway to carts on a wet day that could lead to closing a fairway for repairs. The wrong product applied can’t be undone.

So, where did I primarily obtain educational programs without going back to school? The VTC. I have personally attended almost every education opportunity they offered. This has been events like the Annual Conference, VT Short Course, VT Field days and I also took advantage of updating pesticide certification license and obtaining the new required fertilizer certification through them. As important as these are, I have also gained invaluable insights to this industry between sessions while meeting other people in hallway or lunch table.

Now to let you know where I am going with all this. The one thing I understand is the importance of Education.

So, I see the VTC’s primary role is to first focus on education, second on education, third on education and if we have time and resources, put it toward education. I have looked back over the years and everything the VTC has been involved with has been toward the education of all sectors of the industry, users, decision makers and in the end, the soccer mom.

Mike Skelton

2020 VTC President

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Virginia Tech Turf Team

Director’s Corner

Shawn D. Askew, Ph.D.

CONSTANT VIGILANCE

Virginia Tech 435 Old Glade Road Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-5807 askew@vt.edu

Jeffrey F. Derr, Ph.D.

Tom Tracy, Ph.D. VTC Executive Director

The

2020 General Assembly session demonstrates our need for constant vigilance. Bills banning specific pesticides, strengthening the Certified Fertilizer Applicator program, and regulating large chemical tanks are just three of many pieces of legislation that affect us. Fortunately, many level-headed, environmentally-friendly, and industry-friendly persons serve in the General Assembly. Without them, our endeavors to fight for the turfgrass and landscape industries would be fruitless.

The VTC is preparing an end-of-session legislative summary. That document will detail issues we face, but allow me to focus on two: increasing minimum wage and weakening Virginia’s status as a Dillon Rule state.

The federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour is a baseline. States can require employers pay above that standard. Multiple bills seek to increase the federal minimum by 50%, 75%, or even 100%. The final outcome is unclear as I write this column, but one thing is crystal clear: Virginia’s minimum wage will increase.

An informal survey of our members discovered the increase will only have moderate impact because many of you already pay well above the federal level. Lack of persons willing to work in our industry — not entry level wages — is the main reason many of you are not expanding your businesses.

Over 100 years ago, Judge Dillon of Iowa established a model of the relationship between state and local (city, county) governments. That model has become known as the Dillon Rule. Virginia is one of about 30 states following his model.

Simply stated, in a Dillon Rule state, localities only have authority granted to them by the state. This model is important when we consider pesticides and fertilizers. In Virginia the state, not each city and county, sets the regulations.

This year several legislators from urban areas are seeking to transition Virginia to a Home Rule model where cities and counties have authority over all areas not specifically forbidden by the state. Under that model local governments have vast authority over issues that should remain at the state level. Imagine the difficulties if each city in northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, or in the Richmond area had different regulations for pesticides and fertilizers.

Our work is challenging enough with the vagaries of weather, economics, personnel, and so forth without the added pressures of burdensome legislation.

We will continue to fight for you.

Tom Tracy, Ph.D. VTC Executive Director

8 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL March/April 2020 www.vaturf.org

Virginia Tech Hampton Roads Agricultural Research Station 1444 Diamond Springs Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23455 (757) 363-3912 jderr@vt.edu

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David McCall, Ph.D.

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Dan Sandor, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech 411 Price Hall Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-977 dsandor@vt.edu

WITH SUPPORT FROM: Thomas P. Kuhar, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech Dept. of Entomology 216 Price Hall 170 Drillfield Drive Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-6129 tkuhar@vt.edu

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Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | 9

Legislative Update

GOOD WILL DISTRIBUTED AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Pennington Seed graciously donated over 300 bags of top quality seed.

“Thank you! You guys are a breath of fresh air.

Everyone else here today wants something.”

T

Photos by Tom Tracy

hat statement from a General Assembly staff person was indicative of the reactions to the January 30 seed distribution in Richmond. Yes, the VTC has positions on issues being considered by Virginia’s General Assembly, but good will was the focus of the day. Over 300 bags of seed were donated by Pennington Seed. Virginia Green attached VTC stickers to those bags and delivered them to the Main Street entrance of the General Assembly office building. The group of VTC volunteers unloaded the truck, put each case of seeds through the security scan, and distributed the seed and an information piece to Senators and Delegates. Many thanks to the Virginia Agribusiness Council for paving the way for the VTC and the seeds to get into the secure building.

(left to right) Phil Bailey, Meghann Sheppard, Bruce Sheppard, Craig Zeigler, Jeff Everhart, Wes Bray

10 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL March/April 2020 www.vaturf.org

Stack of seeds inside the building

Unloading the truck

VISIT TO CONGRESS

On

January 23, VTC persons traveled to D.C. to communicate with Senators and Representatives. Their message focused on how the industry benefits people, property, and the environment.

Particular attention was on how their businesses improve water quality and the environment throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and across the nation.

Above, Left to Right: Phil Bailey, Pilot Howell, Lee Howell, Ray Funkhouser, TJ Skirsky, Sam Burris, Steve Slominski, Jeff Everhart, Cindy Smith, Craig Zeigler. Photo owned by VTC

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Cover Story

HIGHLIGHTS FROM

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS PRESENTING SPONSORS

The

2020 Mid Atlantic Turfgrass Expo was one more great example of the industry uniting for the good of all.

Professionals from all aspects of turfgrass came together for three days in Fredericksburg to attend great classes, network, connect with vendors, and honor outstanding individuals.

Dr. Mike Goatley and other Virginia Tech experts organized the education portion of MATE. Logan Freeman, a golf course superintendent from Maryland, was the first speaker. His presentation on reaching across industry segments laid a great foundation. He was followed by experts who addressed employee issues, agronomic concerns, and recertification needs. Of course, latest university research was embedded throughout the program.

Networking began before the first class, continued through the daily on-site lunches, and extended into the evening activities. Deals were made, new contacts formed, and old friends reunited during these informal times.

“I made enough contacts in the first hour to justify my being here,” was one vendor’s comment about MATE. Conference organizers structured the schedule to maximize interaction between buyers and sellers.

Honoring individuals who selflessly give of their expertise to better the industry was a big part of the conference. This year’s honorees were Jeff Everhart (VTC Award), Guy Mussey (Silver Tray Award), Ron Barley (Lifetime Membership Award), “Papa” Joe Williams (Lifetime Membership Award), and Tom Tracy (President’s Award).

Fifteen years ago, the Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center was built.

The Virginia Turfgrass Council was their first customer. A decade and a half of annually meeting together to serve the turfgrass industry has taken place in that facility.

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Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | 13

Cover Story continued

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR AWARD AND SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS!

VTC AWARD winner Jeff Everhart

Mike Goatley presents R.D. CAKE SILVER TRAY AWARD to Guy Mussey

Rick Owens presents LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP AWARD to Ron Barley

PRESIDENT’S AWARD winner Tom Tracy

ROBERT P. RUFF, SR. SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

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“Papa” Joe Williams receives the LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP AWARD

14 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL March/April 2020 www.vaturf.org

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Cover Story continued

GRADUATE STUDENT INNOVATIVE RESEARCH CONTEST

1ST PLACE Jordan Booth, Virginia Tech

2ND PLACE Wendell Hutchens, Virginia Tech

3RD PLACE John Brewer, Virginia Tech

1ST PLACE CORN HOLE WINNERS Greg Barnes and Jake Teeter

Virginia Tech students from the Graduate Student Innovative Research Contest

2ND PLACE CORN HOLE WINNERS Mark Weekley and Gordon Kretser

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3RD PLACE CORN HOLE WINNERS Cory Davis and Jon Everhart

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | 15

VTC Membership

JOIN THE VTC TODAY! MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS FOR ALL MEMBERS INCLUDE:

JOIN AS A GROUP OR AS AN INDIVIDUAL

ing at the one-day regional seminars.

Individual Membership One Year — $85

FREE Certified Fertilizer Applicator

Individual Membership Two Years — $150

FREE pesticide recertification train-

training at the Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo in January (M-A-T-E) and the Come to the Bay (February) and Come to the Valley (April) regional conferences.

FREE entry to the research tour

of turfgrass studies in June at the Hampton Roads AREC.

FREE subscription to our bi-monthly

Diamond Group Membership Benefits of Platinum Group Membership plus assist with our government relations activities.

Minimum of $3,000

11 to 20 members. end up to 50 of your employees S to one of our Regional Pesticide Training Classes — AT NO COST.

aluable assistance on state and V local legislative and bureaucratic issues. Do you know that every member of Virginia’s General Assembly receives our bi-monthly Virginia Turfgrass Journal? Several Delegates and Senators have said how much they appreciate being on our mailing list.

Year-round membership listing and link from VTC website.

iscounts to every one of D our activities.

April 29, 2020

Come to the Valley Frontier Culture Museum 1290 Richmond Ave Staunton, VA 24401

June 16, 2020

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June 23, 2020

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Platinum Group Membership Membership fee of $1,500 includes:

Virginia Turfgrass Journal, offering research and industry updates.

Monthly email of job postings.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR & SAVE THESE DATES!

ertilizer Certification Training or F Pesticide Recertification Training (3A, 3B 60) at your site.

Gold Group Membership Membership fee of $800 includes: 6 to 10 members Silver Group Membership Membership fee of $400 includes: 1 to 5 members

16 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL March/April 2020 www.vaturf.org

September 15, 2020

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For event news and updates throughout the year, visit: VATURF.ORG

Membership Application OR Join/Renew online at

Complete this application form and — • Mail it to the address at the bottom of this page.

• Or fax it to 757-282-2693

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Payment SELECT ONE Diamond Group Membership............................................................................................................................. At least $3,000 Platinum Group Membership (11 or more members + Year-round listing and link from VTC website)...................$1,500 Gold Group Membership (6 – 10 members)...................................................................................................................$800 Silver Group Membership (1 – 5 members)....................................................................................................................$400 Individual for Two Years...................................................................................................................................................$150 Individual for One Year....................................................................................................................................................$85

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Virginia Turfgrass Council P.O. Box 5989 Virginia Beach, VA 23471 • Phone: 757-464-1004 • Fax: 757-282-2693 Email: vaturf@verizon.net • Web: www.vaturf.org Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | 17

EVALUATING EFFECTS OF PIGMENT OF HARRELL’S SOURCES

Feature Story

for Improving Bentgrass Putting Green Quality and Root Growth during Summer Stress

By Xunzhong Zhang, Ph.D. and Mike Goatley, Ph.D., School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

Introduction In our field trial in 2018, we found that the pigment of Harrell’s source at 0.22 fl oz/1000 ft2 (10 fl oz/acre) every 14 days improved visual leaf and color and photochemical efficiency of creeping bentgrass putting greens during summer months, but did not impact root growth and chlorophyll. It is possible that the rate may be too high so that the pigment may coat the leaf surface and reduce gas exchange via stomata and carbohydrate production for root and shoot growth. It is important to test different rates of the pigment application to identify optimum rate and frequency of the pigment application for improving turf quality, physiological fitness, and root growth during summer stress.

Research Procedures This study was carried out in the creeping bentgrass putting green at Virginia Tech Turfgrass Research Center, Blacksburg, VA. There were four treatments with four replications. Plot size is 6 x 6 ft. Regular mowing and irrigation were performed. A randomized block design was used with four replications. The pigment product Harrell’s PAR SG (a.i. proprietary copper based pigment) was used in this study.

The four treatments were as follows: 1). Fertilized control (0.15 lb (68.1g) N per 1000 sq ft every 14 days from 28-8-18).

2). Pigment at 2.5 fl oz/acre (0.057 fl oz/1000 ft2) every 7 days.

3). P igment at 5.0 fl oz/acre (0.115 fl oz/1000 ft2) every 7 days.

4). P igment at 10 fl oz/acre (0.23 fl oz/1000 ft2) every 7 day.

18 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL March/April 2020 www.vaturf.org

All treatments received the same amount of fertilizers as treatment #1 (control) during the experiment.

The period of the trial lasted for 14 weeks from early June through mid Sept. On August 8, irrigation was reduced to induce mild drought stress and resumed after August 16. The data was collected before drought stress (August 2) and at the end of drought period.

The following measurements took place every 14 days after initial treatments: 1). Leaf color is rated on a visual scale of 1 – 9 with 9 indicating the dark green color, and 1 indicating brown color.

2). Canopy photochemical efficiency was measured based on the Fvm, which is the ratio of variable chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv) to maximum chlorophyll fluorescence (Fm).

3). Leaf samples were collected and chlorophyll content was determined using spectrophotometer method (Zhang et al., 2005).

4). Root biomass. At the end of the trial, 4 root samples (2 cm diameter and 15 cm deep) were collected from each plot, washed and root dry weight was determined after the samples were dried at 70°C for 72 h.

5). Root characteristics. The root length, root diameter, root surface area, root volume, and root tips were analyzed using WinRhizo technology. Briefly, after fine cleaning of each root sample, the sample from each plot was divided into multiple subsamples.

Each sub-sample was scanned using WinRhizo and all root morphological parameters were generated and analyzed.

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Feature Story continued

Results and Discussion

effects on leaf color, and both rates had greater positive effect on leaf color than the low rate.

The pigment did not impact leaf chlorophyll content in all sampling dates (Table 2). This suggests that the pigment-induced leaf color improvement may be associated with visual color change due to pigment coverage.

We found that application of the pigment at the three rates improved leaf color in all sampling dates 14 days after initial application except for the low rate (2.5 fl oz) on July 5 and August 30 (Table 1). Pigment applied at mid rate (5 fl oz) and high rate (10 fl oz) had a similar

TABLE 1: Leaf color responses to Harrell’s pigment product in creeping bentgrass putting green.

Treatment

Rate

CONTROL PIGMENT PIGMENT PIGMENT

(fl oz/A) 0 2.5 5 10

Leaf color (1-9, 9 = dark green) 7-Jun 6.5a 6.5a 6.5a 6.5a

21-Jun 6.1c 6.5b 7.0a 7.0a

5-Jul 6.1b 6.4b 7.0a 7.0a

19-Jul 6.0c 6.5b 7.0a 7.0a

2-Aug 6.0d 6.5c 7.0b 7.4a

16-Aug 6.1d 6.6c 7.1b 7.4a

30-Aug 6.8b 7.0b 7.5a 7.8a

13-Sep 6.9c 7.4b 7.9a 8.0a

16-Aug 2.96a 2.94a 3.00a 2.73a

30-Aug 3.38a 3.30a 3.45a 3.33a

13-Sep 3.25a 3.27a 3.46a 3.07a

Means followed by same letters with each column are not significantly different at P = 0.05.

TABLE 2: Leaf chlorophyll responses to Harrell’s pigment product in creeping bentgrass putting green.

Treatment

Rate

CONTROL PIGMENT PIGMENT PIGMENT

(fl oz/A) 0 2.5 5 10

Leaf chlorophyll (mg/g FW) 7-Jun 2.61a 2.58a 2.42a 2.42a

21-Jun 2.47a 2.57a 2.53a 2.49a

5-Jul 2.59ab 2.23b 2.98a 2.66ab

19-Jul 2.83a 2.78a 2.84a 2.86a

Means followed by same letters with each column are not significantly different at P = 0.05.

Virginia Tech creeping bentgrass putting green field plots in June, 2019

20 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL March/April 2020 www.vaturf.org

2-Aug 3.02a 3.08a 3.25a 3.19a

Feature Story continued

The pigment applied at mid and high rates increased photochemical efficiency at the end of drought period (August 16; Table 3). However, the pigment application did not consistently impact PE in other sampling dates.

In this study, we found that the pigment applied at mid rate (5 fl oz/acre) significantly promoted root length, root surface area, number of root tips, and root biomass relative

to the control (Table 4). However, it did not impact root diameter and volume. The pigment applied at 5 fl oz/acre increased root length, surface area, and biomass by 94.3%, 93.1%, and 79.9%, respectively, when compared to the control.

In summary, application of pigment at 5 fl oz/acre and 10 fl oz/acre weekly consistently improved leaf color

TABLE 3: Canopy photochemical efficiency (PE) responses to Harrell’s pigment product in creeping bentgrass putting green.

Treatment

Rate

CONTROL PIGMENT PIGMENT PIGMENT

(fl oz/A) 0 2.5 5 10

PE (Fv/Fm) 7-Jun 0.62a 0.56a 0.60a 0.59a

21-Jun 0.62a 0.67a 0.61a 0.65a

5-Jul 0.66a 0.69a 0.69a 0.71a

19-Jul 0.55ab 0.50b 0.53ab 0.60a

2-Aug 0.57a 0.59a 0.62a 0.61a

16-Aug 0.55b 0.61ab 0.62a 0.63a

30-Aug 0.63a 0.65a 0.63a 0.63a

13-Sep 0.63a 0.64a 0.68a 0.69a

Means followed by same letters with each column are not significantly different at P = 0.05.

TABLE 4: Responses of root length, surface area (SA), root diameter, root volume, root tips, root biomass, and root viability to Harrell’s pigment product in creeping bentgrass putting green.

Treatment CONTROL PIGMENT PIGMENT PIGMENT Treatment CONTROL PIGMENT PIGMENT PIGMENT

Rate

Length

SA

Diam

Volume

(fl oz/A) 0 2.5 5 10

(cm/cm3) 45.9b 73.6ab 89.2a 70.5ab Tips

(cm2/cm3) 3.18b 5.05ab 6.14a 5.15ab Mass

(mm) 0.226a 0.221a 0.223a 0.229a

cm3/cm3) 41.4a 43.6a 47.6a 47.0a

(#/dm3) 474.9b 652.7ab 839.4a 663.8ab

(mg/dm3) 0.753b 1.175ab 1.355a 1.220ab

0 2.5 5 10

Means followed by same letters within each column are not significantly different at P = 0.05.

Photo taken in August 2019

CONTROL

22 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL March/April 2020 www.vaturf.org

PIGMENT (5 fl oz/acre)

Feature Story continued

at all sampling dates, and also photochemical efficiency during drought stress. Application of the pigment at 5 fl oz/acre also improved root length, surface area, number of root tips, and root biomass relative to the control.

The results of this suggest the pigment applied at 5 fl oz/ acre weekly can be used to improve turfgrass performance and root growth in creeping bentgrass putting green.

Acknowledgment We would like to thank Harrell’s for the financial support of this research project and Mr. Jonathan Dickerson for the help.

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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 ©2020 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, 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.)

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | 23

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT on VTC BOARD MEMBER,

C

C RA I G ZE I GL ER

raig Zeigler, President of ALM and VTC Board Member, has a story that begins like many other turfgrass professionals. He always knew he enjoyed working outside, and after a three-year stint as an assistant manager at a country club, where he primarily handled restaurant management duties, he knew it was time to find a way to get out of the clubhouse.

Having worked on a golf course during his senior year at Penn State, Craig had many friends who were turfgrass management majors. “I wished I would’ve majored in that, but I was getting ready to graduate with a degree in Recreation and Parks,” he said. Craig enjoyed his golf course work so much that after three years in the clubhouse, he went to North Carolina State University and got his degree in turfgrass management.

He began working on golf courses in 1995 and worked his way up to assistant golf course superintendent in 1996.

That turned out to be a fateful year for Craig, as two

major hurricanes made landfall in Topsail Beach, North Carolina, exactly where his course was located. Those two hurricanes caused major devastation in the area, and the golf course was no exception. The storm surge brought saltwater onto some greens, and the course lost over 1000 trees as well.

Clean-up and recovery was seven months of grueling work, only to have the course reopen around Christmas with no one left in the area to play. Topsail Beach remained a depressed area for about a year after the hurricanes. This meant revenue for the course was low, and when Craig was presented 100 dollars as his Christmas bonus, he decided it was time to make a change. He moved to Raleigh and tried his hand in the lawncare segment, working as a route manager for a company there.

In one year, Craig grew his route by 30 percent. He realized he could be doing that exact kind of work for himself, so he made the leap. He moved to Virginia Beach

Craig’s staff doing a community service project planting Dune grass at Back Bay Wildlife refuge

24 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL March/April 2020 www.vaturf.org

and started his own lawncare business in 1998. It was a slow start with many hours spent doing the literal leg work of promoting a new business. Craig says he walked many miles passing out flyers and working hard to grow the business.

Craig’s business, Agronomic Lawn Management (ALM), began to grow and Craig’s brother, Chris, joined in 2007.

The company has grown 25–30 percent every year since 2010. One great draw for customers has been their call-in radio show. Craig, Chris, and ALM’s general manager, Bryan Raehl, alternate radio show duties the first and third Saturdays of each month, fielding lawncare questions from callers.

ALM offers lawn treatments (including fertilization, pre- and post- emergent weed control, disease and insect management, and seeding) and tree and shrub care (using an IPM approach). They have 43 employees and over 8000 customers in the Chesapeake area.

One area that Craig and ALM have excelled in is a company culture that values and retains employees. All areas of turfgrass management have faced labor challenges in recent years, and ALM has been intentional in building relationships and camaraderie among the staff. The ALM team has enjoyed some exciting Employee Appreciation Days — including Go Karting, paintball and even shuffleboard — that have allowed staff that don’t normally work side-by-side to get acquainted and build a team mentality.

Craig says ALM does not lay off employees in the winter, so they find community service projects to work on as well.

Recently, the entire team worked together to plant over 3000 sea grass plants in Back Bay to help with erosion on the dunes. They also pick up trash along waterways and streets — and if that sounds like a chore, you might be surprised to find out that the crew that got excited about shuffleboard actually found a way to compete at roadside cleanup. They turn it into a contest to see who can find the most unique object.

This culture and camaraderie are vital to keeping great staff, but Craig and the ALM team also place high value on education and certification. ALM sends all new employees to the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Short Course to get them up to speed, and they work with VTC to bring VDACS onsite for certification and recertification for employees. This focus not only means employees feel valued, but also helps keep standards high for the services ALM provides.

Craig says his path to success in the turfgrass industry has been paved with strong relationships within the industry.

He emphasized the importance of attending industry events for both education and network and relationship building.

He admits that work/life balance is a fine line to walk, but after those early years of long days on a golf course, he has placed great emphasis on finding that balance. He says his wife, Bonny, has been beside him through the whole process, and she was instrumental in those early years of passing out flyers and growing the business. Craig and Bonny have two children, Desiree (16) and Austin (14).

When asked what he’d tell those who are entering the turfgrass industry now, Craig answered, “Have an

Craig doing his bi-weekly radio show when listeners call in and ask questions about their lawns

The front entrance to ALM with one of the dogs that come into work on a daily basis

ALM employees at an indoor go carting Employee Appreciation Day

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | 25

Member Spotlight continued

Index of Advertisers

open mind. There’s a lot of different avenues the turfgrass profession can take you — sports fields, sod growing, golf, home lawns. I would not pigeonhole myself. There’s an awful lot of opportunity out there in different fields. Also, your education never stops. You’re always learning, always evolving. ” Thank you Craig, for your service and support of the VTC and the industry.

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26 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL March/April 2020 www.vaturf.org

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