President’s Message

Your Support is Essential!

Thank you to the members, sponsors, and supporters of the Virginia Turfgrass Council (VTC). Because of your generosity the VTC has had the opportunity to visit with State and Federal legislators. Meetings with Congressman Bobby Scott and Senator Mark Warner emphasized our industry’s concerns relating to pesticides and their possible restrictions. Your support has allowed the VTC to have in depth discussions with the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr and Commissioner Joseph Guthrie of VDACS. These meetings were arranged to emphasize our industry’s frustration with turnaround time relating to pesticide examinations.

Your donations to the Virginia Turfgrass Environmental Institute (VTC-EI) have allowed our industry to create partnerships with diverse organizations to emphasize the need for well-trained turf and landscape professionals in the community. VTC-EI has partnered with organizations in service project that have bridged landscape concerns with environmental enhancement. Your support has allowed the VTC-EI to be a partner with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Elizabeth River Project to incorporate sound turf and landscape practice with shoreline restoration projects. VTC-EI volunteers have assisted local communities and universities with soil loss and landscaping projects. These partnerships have created opportunities to expand member services by developing pollinator gardens, rain gardens, oyster reefs and shoreline restoration.

With great support from dedicated sponsors the VTC will now provide an additional member benefit of pesticide and fertilizer recertification on demand at its website. Your membership has always included recertification at scheduled events but now you’ll have the advantage of refreshing your certification at your leisure and on your time.

I would like to conclude by thanking all those that have donated to the VTC-EI. I am extremely grateful for the support our sponsors have already provided. Their generosity has already made a substantial impact. Additional support is continually needed to confront continuing concerns to our industry. Without continual funding the VTC may lose its status as one of the largest turf and landscaping representatives in the state of Virginia. Without increased funding we could lose our ability to discuss concerns with decision makers. Please consider upping your membership and contribution to the VTC-EI. The VTC is an insurance policy that you are educated on policy changes, that your concerns are heard by decision makers, and that your profession is represented as vital to the community.

Phil Bailey

VTC President