MPSTMA NEWS - SPRING 2021 ISSUE

MINNESOTA PARK PARK && SPORTS SPORTS TURF TURF MANAGERS MANAGERS ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION MINNESOTA

MPSTMA NEWS VOLUME 11, 11,NO. NO.11 VOLUME

Levin Triangle Park Minneapolis

SPRING 2021 2021 SPRING

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President’s Update

By Reid Johnson, CSFM MPSTMA President Grounds Specialist, Saint Paul Academy and Summit School

Well, we made it through another Minnesota winter.

This time the usual feelings of cabin fever were compounded by covid protocols making it extra joyous to see the snow melt and enjoy the warmer weather. As the vaccination effort makes progress the people will flock to the parks and sports fields to make up for lost time. I hope everyone has enough seed, fertilizer, and their equipment tuned up because this summer Minnesota’s fields will see a lot of action. I’m sure you will do your best and adapt to any curve balls that come your way, just like our association did throughout the previous covid-stained year. * * * * The MPSTMA Spring Workshop went well in the newly adapted Zoom format on March 17. The STMA conference and the Northern Green were online and was viewed with mixed results. The education portion went very well but the vendor portion of the show did not translate well to video conferencing. My personal favorite event was the new MPSTMA “Networking at Noon” event hosted by Greg Hoag, City of Brooklyn Park. It has been a nice way to see familiar faces and talk shop even if as we couldn’t bowl or eat pizza, a small concession, I suppose.

Emails will be sent for upcoming dates. Always at noon.

2021 MPSTMA EVENT SCHEDULE JULY 14 MPSTMA DEMO DAY Members demo equipment outdoors in Mendota Heights.

AUGUST 5 MPSTMA GOLF OUTING - AUGUST 5 A 9:00 am 4-person Scramble at Royal GC in Lake Elmo.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER MPSTMA COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT CSP Committee will visit and select a field for the 2021 Community Service Project. Members provide the labor for the renovation project.

Volunteers, equipment and supplies are needed!

NOVEMBER 17 IN PERSON - MPSTMA FALL WORKSHOP Brackett’s Crossing Country Club, Lakeville A day of education, networking and quality speakers.

JANUARY 14, 2022 MPSTMA ANNUAL MEETING Minneapolis Convention Center

* * * * More positive news is that our association’s finances are in good standing. Last year’s successful Spring Workshop enabled the association to get through 2020 in good shape. We are excited and hopeful for a return to normalcy when we can have in-person workshops.

Until then, our Demo Day, Golf Tournament and Fall Workshop are on the schedule (see events at right). The MPSTMA is accepting applications for a 2021 Community Service Project and also Field of the Year.

Go to the MPSTMA website at www.mpstma.org for more information. Please try to make it out!

Sincerely,

Reid Johnson

Reid Johnson, CSFM President Minnesota Park and Sports Turf Managers Association

SPRING 2021

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Minnesota’s Pandemic Rules Dictated Spring Workshop to be Held Virtually A 2-hour Webinar replaced the traditional MPSTMA Spring Workshop because of strict State of Minnesota restrictions regarding group sizes during the Covid-19 issue.

Fifty people participated in the online version of the March 17 Spring Workshop which featured two speaker presentations and an open roundtable discussion.

Maggie Reiter, a University of Minnesota Turfgrass Extension researcher, presented on Glyphosate alternatives snd the efficacy and trade-offs in the landscape.

Matt Cavanaugh, a Rush Creek Golf Club Superintendent in Maple Grove, followed Reiter.

Cavanaugh’s theme focused on the fact work is hard so try to have fun doing it. A variety of film clips, in the presentation, produced by his staff proved that Matt walks the talk.

Members then participated in a 30-minute roundtable on a variety of topics to close out the informative and fun webinar.

Roger Weinbrenner, CSFM, a representative of Minnesota Sodding Company (MSC) and Spring Workshop Chair, hosted the online event.

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SPRING 2021

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Magic Turf Changes Its Ownership; Brunelle’s Keep Company in Family Hello and happy Spring to all of you. Mother Nature is having an interesting time teasing us with about every type of weather we could dream of, however, it looks like we will be able to start a normal Spring real soon.

I wanted to let all of you know that it is time for this old guy to slow down a little, maybe buy a little bait and bring the grandkids out to do a little fishing.

Kelly and I have decided to sell our company to our son Jerrod and his wife Jessi. We are very excited about the light at the end of the tunnel, and Jerrod and Jessi are excited to get up and running and operate a company that is their own.

I will be around this season to mentor and work alongside them.

It has been 13 years since Jerrod and I have been able to work together, but during that time he has spent time in outdoor construction and managing the City of Plymouth’s Parks & Forestry Division. Jerrod has grown into a fine young man, that has absorbed everything that has been thrown at him and he has made the world better by his contributions. His wife Jessi is a very determined businesswoman with a great deal of knowledge and enthusiasm.

Between the two of them they make a strong team and partnership.

Jerrod will eventually take over my phone number, so

Jessi Brunelle, Jerrod Brunelle and Mike Brunelle

you already have the means to contact him. They will send out a note later giving you more contact information. It has been a pleasure working with all of you. There are plenty of enjoyable times to hold in my memory. You will be missed.

Thank You All! -- Mike & Kelly Brunelle

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SPRING 2021

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MPSTMA NEWS 7

Turfco/MPSTMA Field of Year Awarded To Bethel University's Royal Stadium

Joshua Gerth, CSFM, Manager of Grounds at Bethel University, along with his staff, were awarded the 2020 Turfco/MPSTMA Field of the Year for the field at Royal Stadium. Turfco Manufacturing representative Greg Brodd noted to Gerth that "the work you and your staff do on the filed exemplifies the type of product all in our industry work and strive to achieve. Congratulations to you and your staff.”

This is the 9th year Turfco has presented this award to a member of the MPSTMA, and every year we get to highlight a facility that provides the best playing conditions for athletes in our state.”

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8 MPSTMA NEWS

To submit your field for the Turfco/MPSTMA Field of the Year, please go to www.mpstma.org for an application.

The application must include the following 5" x 7" color photos of the field, maintenance procedures and a brief description of the field.

The field must be located in Minnesota. Other important facts needed in the application are: + Resourcefulness of staff, budget, maintenance practices, challenges in the management of the athletic field. + Condition and aesthetics of the athletic field. + Number and type of games and/or events. + Previous recipients may re-apply if all requirements/applications are met.

The MPSTMA Field of the Year Committee helps Turfco Manufacturing decide who wins the annual award.

SPRING 2021

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A FUN, PLAYABLE COURSE PRODUCED BY ARNOLD PALMER AND ANNIKA SORENSTAM

MPSTMA Scramble Set for August 5 at Royal Golf Club; Registration and Sponsorship Opportunities Available The 2nd Annual MPSTMA Scramble will take place on Thurs., August 5 at Royal Golf Club in Lake Elmo. Tee times for the 4-person Scramble event will begin at 9am.

Cost is $60 per person, includes green fees, cart, range balls, lunch on the course and a tee prize.

Head Golf Pro Kent Blaschko and Superintendent Mike Sonnek will ensure MPSTMA members are treated to a first-class day on a beautiful course. In 2020, they did a nice job on the weather, too.

Special thanks again to last year’s sponsors: Turfix; Eco Works Supply; MTI Distributing Inc., SavAtree; EC Grow; Superior Turf and Gertens Wholesale and Professional Turf. MPSTMA is looking for sponsors again this year. Sponsors will have an opportunity to have logos on this year’s golf towel tee prize. Hole sponsorship and closest-to-the-pin sponsorship opportunities also available.

MPSTMA members can register as a 4-person group or sign up as singles, doubles or triples.

Last year, 14-under par was the score to beat. The foursome of Dave Simeon, Woodhill Country Club; Gregg Brodd, Turfco Manufacturing; Cody Gustafson, Field Turf, and Mike McDonald, CSFM, a recent retiree, shot a 58 and won by five strokes.

The golf course features rolling hills, mature trees and

Demo Day Set July 14 At Henry Sibley H.S. In Mendota Heights

abundant wildlife.

The front nine, or the Queen’s Nine, was designed by Annika Sorenstam, her first U.S. project. While the back nine, known as the King’s Nine, was Arnold Palmer’s last.

Together, these golf legends envisioned a multi-generational produced a golfing experience where its five tee boxes allow beginners to feel comfortable and experienced players get their skills tested.

Go to www.mpstma.org to register.

This year’s MPSTMA Demo Day is set for Wed., July 14 at Henry Sibley High School with Matt Grosjean, CSFM, as host turf manager.

Natural grass and synthetic turf fields will be available.

Commercial members will bring equipment for members to demo and ask questions about.

This is a free event for members to attend. Box lunches and water will be provided for all attendees.

Commercial member registration is $100. Lunch sponsors are needed at $50 ea.

Pre-registration is appreciated for an accurate lunch count. Go to www.mpstma.org/meetinginfo.php to register. However, walk-ups will not be turned away if you are able to attend at the last minute. A limited number of ‘walk-up’ lunches will be available.

Details of the event are still being discussed. The timeframe will be mid-morning to mid-afternoon.

Members will be notified by email when the event details are finalized. Information also will be available on the association’s website at www.mpstma.org.

Any questions about the event, contact the MPSTMA office at 763-703-4983.

SPRING 2021

MPSTMA NEWS 11

ONLINE MTGF MASTER CLASS IS AVAILABLE THROUGH AUGUST

Technology Use in the Green Industry The Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation is offering its Master Class through August of 2021. To virtually attend this class, go to https://northerngreen.org/master-classes.

Speakers and topic descriptions follow.

nologies for turfgrass management. Background information on irrigation scheduling and auditing be reviewed, followed by discussion on how soil moisture sensing devices work, what a workflow of implementing sensors looks like, and how to evaluate performance with meaningful metrics.

Landscape Damage to Trees, Severe Storms and Tree Failure

By Eric North Assistant Professor, Urban & Community Forestry, Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota

Technology for Enhanced Tree Decay Detection and Risk Assessment

By Chad Giblin Director of Operations for City Forester, LLC Large, mature, and damaged trees create uniquely difficult management considerations for arborists. The knowledge and training that could be used to extend the lives of these trees is not widely known or even agreed upon. This inability to manage the perceived and actual risk associated with these trees may lead to the premature condemnation and removal of high-value, and perhaps irreplaceable, trees. New and emerging technology that utilizes impulse tomography and resistance drilling offers arborists the ability to look inside trees to complement external visual analyses using traditional methods. This data can further inform digital modeling of mechanical wind loading and enhanced tree risk assessment. This session will introduce this technology and how it can be applied in practical, arboricultural situations using actual data collected from local job sites and using real time demonstrations.

Implementing Soil Moisture Sensors to Conserve Irrigation in Turfgrass Systems

By Maggie Reiter University of Minnesota-Extension Educator in Turfgrass Water conservation often takes a backseat to water quality protection in Minnesota. Both go hand and hand, and efficient irrigation technologies are a rising priority in turfgrass landscapes. Soil moisture sensors have been shown to generate water savings equal to or greater than evapotranspiration (ET) estimates, while maintaining turf quality and function. This presentation will discuss adapting soil moisture sensor tech-

SPRING 2021

Understanding how and why trees fail can help us improve how we design our urban forests and better manage the risks involved. Eric will draw on storm research to describe the impact of construction damaged tree roots on growth, stability, and recovery.

The talk will include published research and case studies looking at the growth of trees after landscapes changes and their value on the landscape Precision Turfgrass Management Current Trends and Future Applications

By Chase Straw Texas A&M Turfgrass Management Department of Soil and Crop Science The turfgrass management industry is under increasing public pressure to improve environmental impacts by reducing management inputs. The concept of precision turfgrass management (PTM) is a viable strategy to achieve reductions by making management input applications only where, when, and in the amount needed. PTM currently relies heavily on new management approaches and technologies for identifying variability and implementing variable-rate or site-specific applications.

This presentation will introduce the concept of PTM and provide an overview of current trends and technologies that can be used for PTM at your facility. Future applications of PTM will also be discussed.

MPSTMA NEWS 13

Presidents of the MPSTMA, MSTMA & MPSA 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

Reid Johnson, CSFM, St. Paul Academy & Summit School Paul Miskimen, City of Burnsville Joshua Gerth, CSFM, Bethel University Mathew Grosjean, CSFM, Independent School District #179 Tracy Closson, Northfield Schools Jay Stadler, Carleton College Ben Boeding, CSFM, City of Eagan Ben Wallin, National Sports Center Rick Beane, City of St. Louis Park David Nozal, Tree Trust Steve Gilbertson, City of Lino Lakes

2010 2010 2009 2009 2008 2008 2007 2007 2006 2006 2005 2005

Steve Berg, CSFM, St. Paul Academy & Summit School (MSTMA) Phil Galliger, City of Woodbury (MPSA) Paul Griffin, City of Woodbury (MSTMA) Amy Howard, City of Woodbury (MPSA) Steve Gilbertson, City of Lino Lakes (MSTMA) Tim Parkos, Washington County Parks (MPSA) Roger Weinbrenner, CSFM, U of St. Thomas (MSTMA) Al Friedges, City of Prior Lake (MPSA) Tom Adamini, City of Apple Valley (MSTMA) Dick Riemenschneider, City of Woodbury (MPSA) Greg Hoag, City of Falcon Heights (MSTMA) Wes Dunsmore, City of Eden Prairie (MPSA)

2004 2004 2003 2003 2002 2002 2001 2001 2000 2000 1999 1999 1998 1998 1997 1997 1996 1996 1995 1995 1994 1994 1993

Jeff Hintz, Bethel University (MSTMA) Dan Friedges, Three Rivers Park District (MPSA) Jeff Hintz, Bethel University (MSTMA) Gary Wachter, City of Apple Valley (MPSA) Mike McDonald, CSFM, University of Minnesota (MSTMA) Phil Galliger, City of Woodbury (MPSA) Ron Unger, Kasson Park & Recreation (MSTMA) Amy Howard, City of Woodbury (MPSA) Ron Werner, Kasson-Mantorville Schools (MSTMA) Paul Edwardson, City of Bloomington (MPSA) Connie Rudolph, CSFM, Midway Stadium (MSTMA) Dale Reed, City of Brooklyn Park (MPSA) Mike McDonald, CSFM, University of Minnesota (MSTMA) Gregg Engle, City of Coon Rapids (MPSA) Mike McDonald, CSFM, University of Minnesota (MSTMA) Bruce Thielen, Wright County Parks (MPSA) Mike McDonald, CSFM, University of Minnesota (MSTMA) Gary Beckerleg, City of Brooklyn Park (MPSA) Mike McDonald, CSFM, University of Minnesota (MSTMA) Jim Vaughn, City of St. Louis Park (MPSA) Tom Rudberg, CSFM, University of St. Thomas (MSTMA) Rich Pelletier, City of Inver Grove Heights (MPSA) Tom Rudberg, CSFM, University of St. Thomas (MSTMA) 1992 Tom Rudberg, CSFM, University of St. Thomas (MSTMA) 1992 Paul Olson, City of Eagan (MPSA) 1991 Tom Rudberg, CSFM, University of St. Thomas (MSTMA) 1991 Dean Heng, Three Rivers Park District (MPSA) 1990 Tom Rudberg, CSFM, University of St. Thomas (MSTMA)

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1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975

Tom Adamini, City of Bloomington (MPSA) Vince Cockriel, City of Edina (MPSA) Lloyd Olsen, City of Brooklyn Park (MPSA) Bob Muscovitz, City of Anoka (MPSA) Doug Elling, City of Mankato (MPSA) Henry Sorenson, City of Red Wing (MPSA) Bill Stelten, County Parks (MPSA) Mark Peterson, City of Plymouth (MPSA) Lowell Luebeck, City of Coon Rapids (MPSA) Larry Haines, City of Brainerd (MPSA) Tom Robinson, Hopkins Schools (MPSA) Leonard Urbanski, City of Minnetonka (MPSA) Gene Gustafson, City of St. Louis Park (MPSA) Gene Gustafson, City of St. Louis Park (MPSA) Gene Gustafson, City of St. Louis Park (MPSA) Roger Paulsen, City of Crystal (MPSA)

SPRING 2021

Support is Needed for Minnesota Green Industry Research; Donate to the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation

By Matt Cavanaugh Past President, Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation

As a member of the Minnesota Park and Sports Turf Managers Association, you are also considered a member of the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation. MTGF has no membership fees associated with being a member or vendor member. However, you have received the full benefits through the mission of the MTGF. The MTGF Board is made up of two individuals from each of the seven allied associations plus two vendor representatives. They are: + Minnesota Association of Cemeteries + Minnesota Educational Facilities Management Professionals + Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents' Association + Minnesota Park and Sports Turf Managers Association + Minnesota Society of Arboriculture + Minnesota Sod Producers + Minnesota Turf Seed Council The MTGF has always accepted but never solicited donations from its members. The pandemic of 2020-2021 forced the Northern Green to be held virtually. Normal revenue from the expo did not happen. This year, MTGF gladly accepts any size donation towards our mission.

Please go to https://www.mtgf.org/donations for information.

MTGF is able to generate funding dollars through a few avenues, but the majority of the dollars the MTGF awards towards turf and grounds research comes from the partnership between the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) and the MTGF in the form of the Northern Green held each January at the Minneapolis Convention Center (well, most years. Sometimes we have to sit at a computer to participate). Participation from the seven allied association members and vendor members has been the backbone to the awarding of turf and grounds research grants over the past twenty years. To date, your participation in The Northern Green has generated $1,750,560 towards turf and grounds research. Think about that dollar amount and all you had to do was participate in continuing education at the Northern Green during January each year.

During March of each year, after the Northern Green has ended, the MTGF meets to go over research proposals that have been submitted and this is when we are able to award dollars to many of these proposals and researchers. Here is a breakdown of where the money has gone.

This is just the beginning of what this funding has done. The funding provided by the MTGF

SPRING 2021

and through your participation in the Northern Green has been able to leverage millions of more dollars for turf and grounds research. Projects have included: Unfortunately, the change to Northern Green Virtual did not resonate with MTGF’s seven allied association members and vendor members. We understand. What has made the Northern Green successful is the camaraderie that is felt during the three days of the conference. Being able to see old friends and making new connections while continuing to learn about your sector of the green industry. Much effort was made to make a successful Northern Green Virtual and even with that, the same revenue was just not generated. Because of that, it was decided at the March MTGF Board Meeting to put a hold on research grant funding for 2021 in hopes that we can return to normal in time for the 2022 funding season.

With that, the MTGF has put made it possible for you to donate any sum of money that will then go toward the turf and grounds research that has made so much of what we do in the Green Industry in Minnesota possible.

MPSTMA NEWS 15

16 MPSTMA NEWS

SPRING 2021

50-year-old Company Now Under New Ownership; Employees Hentges and Bergquist Buy Kromer Co. Kromer Co. LLC, a manufacturer of field maintenance equipment for natural and synthetic fields, recently was sold to Nathan Bergquist and Al Hentges, two long-time employees. Together, they have more than 30 years of combined experience with the company and turf industry. “I have seen a lot of exciting change in this industry since I was hired as a sales consultant with Kromer Co. Helping our customers save time and money, along with being more efficient has been very rewarding. I really enjoy the industry, the customers and our product line. I really don’t want to do anything else. All I want is to keep the Kromer machine the best in the industry.

So, when the opportunity arose to purchase Kromer, we jumped on it,” said Hentges.

Bergquist has been part of Kromer since early 2004 and Al joined the team shortly after. Bergquist started out as a temp worker for Kromer then was hired as full-time assembly worker. After five years of assembly Bergquist was promoted to shop supervisor for four years then from there moved to a Purchasing and Parts position, then promoted to Operations Manager up to the point of purchasing

18 MPSTMA NEWS

Kromer with Hentges. “If you called Kromer for just about anything there’s a good chance I have talked to you,” said Bergquist, and added "together Al and I have seen how field maintenance has changed over the years and strive to make the best equipment to complete any task. Both Al and I have a very strong relationship with our customers and Nathan Bergquist and Al Hentges have always tried to give customers what they want and need to make the job easier. We pride ourselves on listening to what our customer want and have the authority to do so. We love this company and what we do and will continue do whatever it takes to make it the best manufacturer of field maintenance equipment out there, said Bergquist”

SPRING 2021

MPSTMA PHOTO CONTEST "Seasonal Park & Sports Turf Scenes''

Photo above of Knob Hill submitted by Paul Miskimen, Parks Superintendent, City of Lakeville.

Please share seasonal photos that highlight what members of MPSTMA do, such as: equipment maintenance, dealing with snow & ice, winter park or field sites etc. Please submit photos to our social media sites or email to the MPSTMA OFFICE by April 30. Members will vote for their favorite photos on this website. The person with the winning photo will receive a $50 Visa Gift Card. The winning photo will be published in the summer issue of MPSTMA NEWS and www.mpstma.org.

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RECENT JOB POSTINGS Grounds Worker West Fargo Public Schools Job Posting Apr. 12, 2021 Landscape and Grounds Attendant St. Paul Academy and Summit School Job Posting Apr. 9, 2021 Park & Forestry Manager City of Plymouth Job Posting Apr. 2, 2021 Park Keeper City of Blooomington Job Posting Mar. 18, 2021 Parks Maintenance Technician Chisago County Job Posting Mar. 18, 2021 Athletics Grounds Worker University of Minnesota Job Posting Mar. 17, 2021 Athletic Facilities Field and Grounds Supervisor, University of Minnesota Job Posting Mar. 17, 2021 Irrigation Tech & Install Forman Irrigation City Job Posting Mar. 4, 2021 Grounds Worker - Seasonal St. Francis Schools Job Posting Feb. 25, 2021 Field Service Manager II Hunter Industries Job Posting Feb. 23, 2021 Horticulture / Landscape Interns City of Shoreview Job Posting Feb. 2, 2021

www.mpstma.org