MTGF CLIPPINGS (Spring/Summer 2023)

MTGF Clippings OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA TURF AND GROUNDS FOUNDATION VOL. 31, NO. 1 SPRING / SUMMER 2023

Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation Has Funded $1,867,291 Towards Research Since 2001

2024 NORTHERN GREEN SET FOR JANUARY 23-25 AT THE SAINT PAUL RIVERCENTRE & ROY WILKINS AUDITORIUM The mission of the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation is to promote the Green Industry in Minnesota through support of research, education and outreach at the University of Minnesota and elsewhere.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

The Business of the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation

By SAM BAUER President Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers President Sam Bauer MPSFMA Ramy Turf Vice President Dominic Pierre MAC Union Cemetery Secretary/Treasurer Tom Redmann MASMS Consultant Treasurer Steve Balfany MTA Balfany Farms Ex-Officio Jamie Bezanson MGCSA Highland Park Golf Course Directors

MASMS

Tracy Closson

MGCSA

Nikk Dickerson Owatonna Country Club

MPSFMA

Marcus Campbell St. Paul Saints Baseball Club

MSA

Manuel Jordán Heritage Shade Tree Consultants

MTA

Bryan Lawrence Rocket Turf & Nursery

MTSC

Brent Benike Northern Excellence Seed Vendor Representative Jim O’Neill Eco Works Supply Vendor Representative James Wolfin Twin City Seed Company University of Minnesota Turfgrass Extension Jon Trappe University of Minnesota University of Minnesota Turfgrass Extension Dr. Eric Watkins University of Minnesota * * * * Executive Director Jeff Turtinen 763-703-4983 turtinen@mtgf.org P. O. Box 617 Wayzata, MN 55391

Momentum I often wonder what my life would have been like if I would have taken a different career path. Where would I be? What would I be doing? It’s incredible to think that seemingly small decisions at the time have such a dramatic impact on the path you take in life. My path has been an interesting one, filled with many jobs and great people along the way. The green industry has been very good to me and it’s fun to reflect on some of those memories.

I became aware of the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation (MTGF) in the early 2000s. In 2007, I was hired by MTGF to manage the booth at the Northern Green Expo (what we called it back then) that year. This was right around the time of our large economic impact study of the turf and grounds industry in Minnesota. If my memory serves me right, and no promises there, our study demonstrated a $1.2 billion dollar economic impact of the turf and grounds industry in the state of Minnesota. Now that’s pretty significant.

The livelihood of our foundation, and our seven allied associations, relies on turf and grounds research to advance our understanding of the work we do. The MTGF has a long history of supporting turf and grounds research through various institutions across the state and in the Midwest. If fact, since 2001, we have donated over $1.8 million dollars to thirty research programs at the University of Minnesota and beyond. This is something we are very proud of. Over the past 20 years, our annual grant program has averaged almost $88,000 per year in donations. In our most charitable year (2009) we funded $138,000, a close second being 2018 with $134,715 in funding In our least charitable year (2021) we funded $0 due to the pandemic, virtual conference, and financial implications that came with that. Being a foundation whose sole purpose is to fund research, 2021 was a tough year for us. But we have the momentum. (See Page 10 for Funding since 2002) Our most charitable years were a very short time ago and I truly believe that we can get back to our historical giving numbers with the support from every one of you. It was just a short three years ago that we were donating over $100,000 through our competitive grant program and we can get back there. Let’s not let this momentum slip away.

There are many opportunities for you to be involved. First and foremost, a majority of our charitable dollars are generated from the Northern Green conference held in January every year. This year we are excited about the move to the River Centre in St. Paul, and we hope to see you all there from January 23rd-25th, 2024. Along with the conference changes, there will be an outdoor component to be held on the State Fairgrounds in October of 2024.

You can directly support the MTGF by donating on our website at mtgf.org. Additionally, we encourage you to support and engage with your local associations, the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association, and the University of Minnesota by participating in field days and stakeholder events. The University of Minnesota Parks, Fields, and Grounds Field day is being held on the St. Paul Campus on June 28th, 2023. I hope to see you all there.

www.mtgf.org

Sam Bauer President Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation 2 MTGF CLIPPINGS ~ SPRING / SUMMER 2023

www.MTGF.org

The Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation, a non-profit organization, is a partnership of seven turf- and grounds-related associations and the University of Minnesota. Members of the following associations are also considered members of the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation.

4 4 4 4

Minnesota Society of Arboriculture Minnesota Association of Cemeteries Minnesota Park & Sports Turf Managers Association Minnesota Educational Facilities Management Professionals

4 Minnesota Sod Producers 4 Minnesota Turf Seed Council 4 Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents’ Association

Inside this Issue of MTGF Clippings: 2

President’s Report: The Business of the MTGF

By Sam Bauer, MTGF President

5

Lessons Learned from “No Mow May”

By Jon Trappe, Turgrass Extension Educator, University of Minnesota

6

2023 MTGF FUNDING - $15,000 Teaching, Research and Outreach Programs at University of Minnesota

9

2023 MTGF FUNDING - $35,000 University of Minnesota Turfgrass Science Research Program Support

17

2nd Annual Green Industry Bowling Fundraiser Creates Scholarship Dollars For Anoka Tech Turfgrass Students

18

Support MTGF’s Mission and Donate Today!

Advertisers 3 4 8 10 12 16 20

Frost Inc. Spray Technology Products MTI Distributing Inc. SMSC Organics Recycling Facility EcoWorks Supply The Tessman Company Plaisted Companies Covermaster

MTGF CALENDAR June 20

NE Exposure Golf Event ­ Giant's Ridge GC Biwabik ­ MGCSA

June 28

Field Day ­ TROE Center Falcon Heights ­ MPSFMA

July 12

Demo Day ­ Two Rivers High School Mendota Heights ­ MPSFMA

July 26

MPSFMA Scramble ­ Royal GC Lake Elmo ­ MPSFMA

August 14

Southern Exposure Golf Event ­ Le Sueur CC Le Sueur ­ MGCSA

August 31

Climbing Workshop Minneapolis ­ MSA

Sept 12

MGCSA Championship ­ Fox Hollow GC Rogers ­ MGCSA

Sept 25

Wee One ­ Medina Golf & CC Medina ­ MGCSA

Oct 9

MGCSA Scramble ­ Rush Creek GC Maple Grove ­ MGCSA

Oct 12­13

MSA Fall Conference Duluth ­ MSA

Nov 16

MPSFMA Fall Workshop ­ Brackett’s Crossing CC Lakeville ­ MPSFMA

www.MTGF.org

SPRING / SUMMER 2023 ~ MTGF CLIPPINGS 3

SERVING CUSTOMERS FOR OVER 75 YEARS Your local distributor, providing you the knowledge of national product lines. Offering complete solutions with consistent and reliable service, everyday.

100+ Employees dedicated to serving our customers 5 Mobile Service Technicians 3 Toro Master Service Technicians 175+ years of combined industry experience Now serving all of MN, ND and parts of SD, WI, IA, MO & IL

NEW & PREOWNED EQUIPMENT IRRIGATION SERVICE & PARTS CALL US TODAY 800-362-3665

Lessons Learned from “No Mow May”

By Jon Trappe Turfgrass Extension Educator University of Minnesota

An image of turf plots in St. Paul that were mown weekly (left) vs. no mowing for the month of May (right).

Tall fescue is pictured in the foreground.

Before I get started, I am not going to be speaking very much on how No Mow May affects your lawn or pollinators you might find there. You can find write-ups on this at www.turf.umn.edu. I think there are some other important lessons from No Mow May that have become apparent in my relatively short time as Turfgrass Extension Educator with the University of Minnesota. I am sure many other turf professionals have had similar experiences - maybe a client, coach, or neighbor has asked what you think of No Mow May and how it affects the turf or pollinators. In some cases, these questions may come from someone that has a favorable or an unfavorable view of turf.

It is rare for something in the green industry to move so quickly into the public consciousness as No Mow May. Sure, part of why it became popular had to do with people feeling like they could benefit their environment by literally doing nothing for a month in which they would normally have had to mow two or three times at a minimum. Another reason is that people are gaining an appreciation for pollinators and wanting to do their part. From my own observations, I think much of what explains the rapid rise in awareness of No Mow May has to do with changing sentiments of what a lawn is and how it should be maintained.

The beauty of this whole situation is that based on the current science, regardless if someone wants to benefit pollinators or not, our recommendations are the www.MTGF.org

same that they have always been - raise the mowing height.

A higher mowing height has numerous benefits to your lawn, the environment, and to the pollinators that frequent it. Responding to questions about No Mow May has been a terrific opportunity as an Extension Educator to reach an incredibly wide audience in a relatively short period of time.

The simplicity of the message and that it will benefit lawns of all types makes it more likely to be received and implemented. In some cases, this might be to homeowners who want to have a uniform dense turf that resembles Allianz Field or it could be someone who “puts up” with maintaining a lawn if it means having an area to play with their golden retriever.

Both audiences are benefiting from the message and we do not have to alienate or denigrate either for them to have a healthier and more functional lawn.

The environmental and human benefits of turf are pretty well documented. As professionals in the turf industry I think we should be prepared to explain why turf provides value, regardless of how someone is planning on using it. It is not always going to be a “win-win” where a simple recommendation makes everyone happy. But there are plenty of teaching opportunities we can seize, and in the process demonstrate our levels of expertise, ultimately making future allies or at the very least raise awareness for what turf provides to society.

SPRING | SUMMER 2023 ~ MTGF CLIPPINGS 5

2023 MTGF FUNDING - $15,000

Teaching, Research and Outreach Programs at University of Minnesota Principal Investigators:

Ryan Murphy: Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota Benjamin Held and Robert Blanchette: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota Cooperators:

Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation and Minnesota Urban Foresters and Arborists

Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation funded Outreach & Research conducted by the University of Minnesota.

Support from MTGF continues to be critical in providing staff and student salary support, equipment acquisition, and development of novel research methodologies at the UMN Urban Forestry Outreach & Research Lab and the UMN Elm Selection Program.

Abstract Urban and forested areas offer countless benefits in communities throughout Minnesota. However, tree canopy cover is declining in urban and community forests, due in large part to invasive species like Dutch elm disease and the emerald ash borer, leaving a lack of resources for the 6 MTGF CLIPPINGS ~ SPRING / SUMMER 2023

management of trees in the landscape. Continued effort is needed for the restoration of canopy loss and to enhance he resiliency of our future urban forest. We aim to accomplish these tasks by researching tree diseases and pests, assessing tree species performance, providing meaningful professional continuing education, and conducting outreach with youth to help recruit the next generation of urban foresters, arborists, and scientists. The long term support of MTGF to the Departments of Forest Resources and Plant Pathology has created many opportunities for growth in the areas of academic research and outreach to industry professionals, school-age youth, and others. We (Continued on Page 7) www.MTGF.org

MTGF Funding(C0ntinued from Page 6)

We are requesting funds to accomplish this work through continued general support of the Urban Forestry Outreach & Research Lab as well as the University of Minnesota Elm Selection Program.

Rationale, Benefits to Grounds Managers Continued development of high-quality instruction, research, and outreach programs to grounds managers, arborists, and school-age youth increases the value and investment in urban and community forests statewide.

Additionally, research and workshop programming provided by University of Minnesota faculty and staff throughout Minnesota help to engage our communities and enhance the benefits of urban natural resources.

Objectives 1. University of Minnesota Urban Forestry Outreach & Research Programs (UFOR) 2. University of Minnesota Elm Selection Program (UMESP) 1. UMN Urban Forestry Outreach & Research Programs 2023 Objectives: 1) Continue the support of youth outreach, engagement, and recruitment programs in the metro as well as the exploration of programs that reach K12 kids in greater Minnesota. This includes development of skills and knowledge related to urban forestry and arboriculture, technical tree climbing, and methods of rope ccess used to safely enter and explore tree canopies. 2) Continue maintenance and enhancement of the Urban Forestry Outreach and Research Nursery & Lab on the UMN St. Paul Campus. This two-acre facility and lab space provides numerous opportunities for continuing education on tree related topics, research into gravel bed tree performance, and assessing how both new and long-established tree species are performing in Minnesota. 3) Refine methods for assessing tree vitality and health using SPAD meter technology. Quantification of a tree’s health and vitality is useful in determining if intervention is needed and if that intervention is effective. We will continue to expand on previous efforts to assess tree health using SPAD meters which quantify chlorophyll concentration in leaves non-destructively.

2023 Anticipated Outcomes ● Training events held on UMN Campus by UFOR Nursery & Lab (10-15 events) ● Youth Tree Climbing Events (4-7 events) ● A refined quantitative method for assessing tree health and vitality. Using this method we can better understand how site characteristics and Minnesota’s climate affects species performance - resulting in better recommendations for tree species placement and tree stress diagnostics. www.MTGF.org

Materials & Methods: Utilizing funds from MTGF and other sources, the UMN Urban Forestry Outreach and Research Lab will continue to serve hundreds of professionals and youth through in-person workshops, virtual content creation, school classroom visits, youth climbing experiences, and in-situ tree performance data acquisition.

2. University of Minnesota Elm Selection Program (UMESP) Objectives: 1) Continue to identify putatively resistant elms in the Minnesota landscape, clonally propagate, and screen for DED resistance. 2) Study mechanisms of resistance by understanding pathogen movement in resistant trees. 3) Maintain elm research plots for long term resistance screening and for non-native resistant species.

Materials & Methods As community engagement has increased and we have identified large survivor elms in the Minnesota landscape, we have a growing database of elm for potential scion material for clonal propagation. Collections and propagation will continue using traditional methods and developing enhanced propagation techniques. We also currently have a large collection of elms (over 100 selections) that were propagated from survivor elms in areas of heavy disease pressure from across the state and will continue to propagate them to numbers suitable for trials.

Inoculations are conducted by injecting a known concentration of spores of a lab grown culture of the pathogen Ophiostoma novo-ulmi into the test tree via a small drill wound in the main stem. Ratings take place beginning four weeks post inoculation using a 11 point scale where 0=no wilt and 11=complete wilt and continue into the next growing season.

2023 Anticipated Outcomes The project continues to yield successful results providing new information about Minnesota elms, their resistance to Dutch elm disease, and propagation techniques. In the coming growing season, we will evaluate 1-year inoculations of elm from a second set of commercially available DED resistant elm to study age affects. This consists of three commercially available DED resistant elms (Valley Forge, Jefferson, and Prairie Expedition) of which one set (10) was inoculated in 2020 to determine comparative resistance and to test inoculum dosage. The second set inoculated in the spring of 2022 will test if the two additional years of growth will affect resistance. Results from the inoculation in 2020 show limited wilt in the genotypes tested and similar wilt across all doses trialed.

Evaluations of a large replicated inoculation trial initiated in spring of 2022 will continue in 2023. This consisted of 15 new selections with 7 selections having six or more reps. Ratings from last growing season show 13 selections with a rating of 3 or lower (0=no wilt and 11=complete (Continued on Page 9) SPRING / SUMMER 2023 ~ MTGF CLIPPINGS 7

WITH THE ULTIMATE LANDSCAPING RESOURCE

SMSCORF.COM SHAKOPEE, MN

MULCH | COMPOST | COMPOST BLENDS | CUSTOM PRODUCT BLENDS ATHLETIC FIELD AND GOLF COURSE TOP DRESSING OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY

MTGF Funding(C0ntinued from Page 7)

wilt). Many of the selections in this trial are also duplicated in a second block that will be inoculated in 2024, which we are hoping to have several selections to move forward for use.

Propagations from new selections in addition to those showing putative resistance will continue in 2023.

Selections that have survived previous inoculations will be propagated for a future study with additional replicates. These selections exhibited symptoms but were able to effectively wall off the pathogen and survive one year from inoculation. Studies and refinement of propagation methods will also continue through the spring and summer of 2023.

In an effort to elucidate resistance mechanisms in american elm to DED. A qPCR assay has been developed in order to track pathogen movement in inoculated trees. A small amount of tree tissue is collected by drilling a small hole in the tree from which DNA can be extracted.

Extracted DNA is then used in a real time PCR instrument with a probe/primer set that is specific to the DED pathogen Ophiostoma novoulmi and can quantify the amount of DNA compared to standards. The hypothesis is that resistant trees will have less and lower quantities of the pathogen in restricted areas of the tree due to compartmentalization. The opposite would be expected for susceptible trees; higher quantities of the pathogen throughout the tree. We are currently working with samples taken from the commercially resistant selections that were inoculated in 2020 to assess the state of the pathogen in known resistant trees. Moving forward we hope to use this to better evaluate resistance.

In addition to identifying and screening Minnesota native elms for resistance to DED, we have a number of non-native elm selections in our collection which show strong resistance to the pathogen. Support from MTGF allows research into the use of non-native elm species in MN. In addition to our campus nursery in St. Paul, we also have an elm plot located at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. This plot provides a location to trial these nonnative elm varieties. We plan to continue maintaining and planting this plot with a diverse set of elms in 2023.

Funding from the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation will go towards: www.MTGF.org

+ Tree climbing equipment (new equipment & existing equipment depreciation) + Travel expenses (vehicle rental and personal mileage to visit schools and other event locations) + UFOR Nursery equipment purchase & rental, plot fees, and plant material + Personnel salaries for Undergraduate Research & Outreach staff (UFOR) + Field plot, greenhouse, and growth chamber rental and maintenance fees (elm) + Personnel – salaries for Research Technicians and Undergraduate Research Assistants (elm) + Research equipment & supplies (lab, inoculation prep, molecular supplies, and propagation supplies) (elm) SPRING / SUMMER 2023 ~ MTGF CLIPPINGS 9

MTGF FUNDED RESEARCH REACHES $1,867,291 MTGF FUNDING 2023 2022 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 27,500 26,570

RESEARCH DOLLARS FROM 2001-2002 TURFGRASS SCIENCE RESEARCH PROGRAM SUPPORT 35,000 45,000 50,000

20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 7,500 9,625 10,000 10,000 10,000 20,000 25,000 21,056 20,000 20,000 20,000 15,000 11,000 17,000 5,000 5,000

65,000 65,000 60,000 60,000 70,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 47,000 37,114 60,500

TROE CENTER OPERATIONS TROE CENTER BUILDING PRE-DESIGN DR. ERIC WATKINS RESEARCH BRAD PEDERSEN LANDSCAPE PROGRAM

50,000

UM FOREST RESOURCES AND PLANT PATHOLOGY PROGRAMS

2,750 4,077 13,000 10,000 49,715 60,000 30,000 20,000 20,000 15,000 15,000 12,000 15,000 10,000 26,000 2,500 10,415 7,400 10,000 10,000

DR. GILlMAN TREE RESEARCH / DUTCH ELM DISEASE DED / ELM RESISTANCE MECHANISMS ROBERT BLANCHETTE DED / MSA SUPPORT 7,500 UM YOUTH ENGAGEMENT IN ARBORICULTURE 7,500

5,700 9,300

UM CONSERVATION UM ELM SELECTION UM PRUNING UM ESP RESEARCH

7,250 9,975 6,250 5,500 5,500 3,500

BOB MUGAAS / UMORE PARK TECHNICIAN

900

ARBORETUM TURF & GROUNDS RESEARCH

3,000

UM HELP LINE

15,733 10,518

ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY

500

500

NATIONAL TURF RESEARCH INSTITUTE GRABOWSKI / MALVICK WHITE MOLD RESEARCH

10,000 10,000 10,000 5,000

DR. JUZWICK OAK WILT STUDY DR. WALKER MINERALIZABLE NITROGEN STUDY DR. WALKER FIELD SAFETY ASSESSMENT STUDY

3,500

2,000

5,000

5,000

2,000 2,000 3,000

5,000 4,000

SAM BAUER CONVERSION TO LOW-INPUT TURFGRASS

4,000

BAUER & ORSHINSKY PLANT DEFENSE

5,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 65,000 10,000 10,000 10,000

MARY MEYER 10 PLANTS THAT CHANGED MINNESOTA UM FELLOWSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND ORSHINSKY PATHOLOGIST POSITION

10,000

TREE TRUST - GRAVEL BEDS TREE TRUST - GREEN TEENS

3,540 3,250 5,000

15,000 1,198

OTHER

TOTALS 50,000 65,000 100,000 106,250 134,715 120,000 120,000 110,000 89,000 110,790 85,000 76,000 71,014 138,000 38,113 75,508 89,095 118,500 81,056 35,000 27,500 26,750

TOTAL DOLLARS SINCE 2001 = $1,867,291

ECO WORKS SUPPLY Supp ppli lier er of Org rganic and Natural Pro rodu ducts to the Turf Indu dustry Also Supplying: w Ice Melt w Robotic Painters w Corona Virus Disinfectants & Cleaners w Granular Fertilizer w Liquid Fertilizer w Soil Amendments

Member of the MTGF, MGCSA and MPSFMA

w Crew Clothing w Compost & Mulch w Grass Seed wTerraMax (Tazo B) Products w Turf Marking Paints w Synthetic Turf w Athletic Field Covers w Netting w Pitching Mounds w Batting Mats w Pitching Machines w Sports Accessories

www.ecoworkssupply.com Jim O’Neill (612) 710-1718

Doug Daniel (612) 868-9615

Geoff Jordan (218) 213-2390

Daron VanHelden (612) 201-0661

jim@ecoworkssupply.com

doug@ecoworkssupply.com

geoff@ecoworkssupply.com

daron@ecoworkssupply.com

10 MTGF CLIPPINGS ~ SPRING / SUMMER 2023

www.MTGF.org

2023 MTGF FUNDING - $35,000

University of Minnesota Turfgrass Science Research Program Support Principal Investigators:

Eric Watkins and Jon Trappe, University of Minnesota Abstract We are proud of the partnership between the University of Minnesota Turfgrass Science Program and the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation. Since 2001 nearly $2 million dollars has been donated to the University from the MTGF. In return, we have conducted research to increase economic efficiency for turf managers and improve the ecological sustainability of turfgrass landscapes. This proposal includes $60,000 of general support to continue our research and outreach activities in the next year. MTGF funding is essential to maintain staff and land at the Turfgrass Research, Outreach and Education Center on the St. Paul campus. Ongoing projects are outlined below, and include improving turfgrass winter stress tolerance, conserving irrigation inputs, and implementing new technologies for data-based decision making.

Rationale for Research Over the years we have leveraged support from MTGF to procure millions of dollars in support from other funding sources. The list of funding successes is extensive, ranging from the Minnesota Department of Transportation to the United States Department of Agriculture. Each funded proposal benefits the membership of the MTGF and amplifies the dollars invested. Since the beginning of 2021, we have leveraged MTGF funding to garner additional research grants, including: ● Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents Association. $125,000. Member-Driven Research and Long-Term Research Support. The golf course superintendents of Minnesota have been tremendous supporters of our program for many years. The pandemic brought financial challenges to our program and we were only able to remain fully intact due to the generosity of the MGCSA. We are very grateful. ● Metropolitan Council. $378,745. Reducing water use on Twin Cities lawn through assessment, research, and demonstration. This is a continuation of a long-term collaboration aiming to reduce water use on lawns in the Twin Cities. Funding from this grant will support outreach and education efforts, along with ongoing research that will improve our understanding of turfgrass species dynamics during periods of acute drought. ● USDA Higher Education Challenge Grant: $150,000. Enhancing sustainability education through managed urban landscape curricula at higher education institutions in Minnesota. This project will evaluate higher www.MTGF.org

education curriculum at institutions throughout Minnesota and identify opportunities for integrating sustainable turfgrass management into undergraduate courses. We will develop and provide educational modules that can serve as the basis for sustainability curricula—in the long term, we expect increased understanding of turfgrass systems to result in more well-informed citizens, along with heightened interest in turf and landscape management classes at institutions beyond the University of Minnesota. ● USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative: $8,000,000. WinterTurf: A holistic approach to understanding the mechanisms and mitigating the effects of winter stress on turfgrasses in northern climates. This project, led by our team, involves researchers in 7 states and Norway, and aims to increase our understanding of winter stresses of turfgrass, while providing new solutions for turfgrass managers. This is the largest federal grant ever awarded to a turfgrass research project; our success in leading this project would not be possible without the years of support from MTGF and other allied organizations. ● Minnesota Department of Transportation $275,928. Regional optimization of roadside turfgrass seed mixtures phase 3: Assessing long-term performance and creating a web-based decision tool. This project, which builds off two earlier grants, is evaluating the longterm performance of multi-species mixtures on 14 roadside sites around the state. This project is delivering valuable information to public agencies making decisions about turfgrass seed for roadsides and helping us learn about optimized mixtures for low-input landscapes such as parks, cemeteries, and home lawns.

In addition, we have continuing projects in fine fescue breeding, perennial ryegrass breeding, fine fescue sod improvement, soil moisture sensors, roadside turfgrass mixture optimization, early spring creeping bentgrass establishment, breeding grasses for improved shade tolerance, tall fescue de-hardening, and more.

Benefits of Research to Turf and Ground Managers We have active projects that impact all types of turf and grounds managers. Our work in seed production improvement, both through breeding and agronomics, has a major impact on the practices used by members of the Minnesota Turf Seed Council. Research on the improvement of fine (Continued on Page 13) SPRING / SUMMER 2023 ~ MTGF CLIPPINGS 11

Fargo, ND

St. Paul, MN Tea, SD

St. Paul

Fargo, ND

Tea, SD

(651) 487-3850

(701) 232-7238

(605) 368-2586

Landscape • Greenhouse • Lawn Care • Turf • Winter Equipment

MTGF Funding(C0ntinued from Page 11)

fescues is important for many types of turf managers, especially those among the Minnesota Association of Cemeteries, Minnesota Park and Sports Field Managers Association, and Minnesota Facility Management Professionals. Ongoing studies to understand turfgrass shade stresses are relevant to the Minnesota Society of Arboriculture. We have recently completed several experiments to support sod production efficiency and the Minnesota Turf Association. Finally, we work closely with the Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents’ Association to address challenges of particular importance to golf course superintendents. To improve access to turfgrass research generated by our team, we organized three field days during 2022, including one focused on winter stresses on a cold day in April (4/13/22); the other events included one targeted for parks and sports field managers on June 17, 2022, and one for golf course superintendents on August 11, 2022. Our series of field days hosted almost 100 attendees consisting of golf course superintendents and architects, public parks and school grounds managers, municipal water agencies, lawn care operators, sod farmers, and product sales representatives. Post-event survey respondents said the event was enjoyable, organized, and informative, and several people expressed appreciation for seeing our research in person. One attendee wrote that our team does “a remarkable job disseminating useful & practical information at these field days.” Almost 90% of respondents said they increased their understanding of topics such as managing turfgrass during drought, precision irrigation, fungicides and rolling, mapping as a management tool, tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass mixtures, white grubs, communicating golf course ecosystem services and preferences for natural grass over artificial turf. These were highly successful and we will try the same approach, with some alterations in focus areas and dates in 2023.

Objectives The objectives of our program are to increase economic efficiency for all turf managers in Minnesota, improve the ecological sustainability of our turfgrass landscapes, and protect Minnesota’s natural resources. We do this through research in the areas of breeding and genetics, turfgrass management, plant physiology, and social science.

Materials and Methods (Current Projects) and Anticipated Outcomes We have dozens of active projects benefiting multiple turfgrass stakeholder groups (see rationale section above).

Outcomes from these projects include improved best management practices, data-driven solutions for difficult turfgrass challenges, new turfgrass cultivars, and new prediction models to guide turfgrass manager decision making.

Publication of Results We regularly publish our results as blog posts, scientific research papers, and magazine articles aimed at profeswww.MTGF.org

sional turf and grounds managers. We also post brief research updates on our blog (turf.umn.edu).

Scientific publications in peer reviewed journals Barnes, M.R. 2022. Urban Lawns as Nature-Based Learning Spaces. Ecopsychology 14(2):92-100. http://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2021.0025 Barnes, M.R. and E. Watkins. 2022. Differences in likelihood of use between artificial and natural turfgrass lawns. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Vol 37, March 2022, 100480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2021.100480 Barnes, M. R., E. Watkins. 2022. Greenness’ in the eye of the beholder: Comparing perceptions of sustainability and well-being between artificial and natural turfgrass.

Cites and the Environment, 15(1). doi: DOI: .15365/cate.202.150102 Braun, R. C., E. Watkins, A.B. Hollman, N.T. Mihelich, and A.J. Patton. 2022. Management, harvest, and storage characteristics of low-input cool-season turfgrass sod mixtures. Agronomy Journal, 00, 1– 17. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21051 Braun, R. C., E.T. Braithwaite, A.R. Kowalewski, E. Watkins, A.B. Hollman, and A.J. Patton. 2022. Nitrogen fertilizer and clover inclusion effects on the establishment of fine fescue taxa. Crop Science 62: 947– 957. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20704 Kong, X., C. Yue, E. Watkins, M. Barnes, and Y. Lai. 2022. Investigating the effectiveness of irrigation restriction length on water use behavior. Water Resources Management. doi: DOI: 10.1007/s11269-022-03367-y Reiter, M., N.T. Mihelich, Y. Qiu, B.P. Horgan, and E. Watkins. 2022. Assessing fine fescue mixtures and plant growth regulator applications to determine their effect on traffic tolerance and divot recovery. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal, 14(1), 502-515. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.82 Petrella, D.P., F. Breuillin-Sessoms, and E. Watkins.

2022. Layering contrasting photoselective filters improves the simulation of foliar shade. Plant Methods 18:16 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13007-022-00844-8 Straw, C., C. Bolton, J. Young, R. Hejl, J. Friell, and E. Watkins. 2022. Soil moisture variability on golf course fairways across the United States: An opportunity for water conservation with precision irrigation. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment, 5(4), e20323. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20323 Xie, Y, M. Farhadloo, N. Guo, S. Shekhar, L. Kne, H. Bao, E. Watkins, A. Patton, and K. Morris. 2022. NTEPDB 1.0: A relational database for the national turfgrass evaluation program. Int Turfgrass Soc Res J. https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.76 Yue, C., M. Cui, X. Kong, E. Watkins, and M. Barnes, 2022. Landscape irrigation and water conservation in urban areas: An analysis of information-based strategies.

HortTechnology 32(2): 213-225. https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/32/2/article-p213.xml.

(Continued on Page 14) SPRING / SUMMER 2023 ~ MTGF CLIPPINGS 13

MTGF Funding(C0ntinued from Page 13)

We presented on several projects at our professional scientific research conferences in 2022: Barnes, M., E. Watkins. 2022. “It’s hot and rubbery” vs. “soft and plush.” Comparing perceptions of artificial turf to natural grass. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Meeting.

November 2022. Baltimore, MD. https://scisoc.confex.com /scisoc/2022am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/142532 Barnes, M., and E. Watkins. 2022. Revisiting the nature nearby: Urban lawns as accessible and sustainable green spaces. International Association for Society & Natural Resources (IASNR). October 4-6, 2021. Online.

Cors, J., E. Watkins, and M. Smanski. 2022. Reducing environmental risk in genetically modified perennial ryegrass. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Meeting. November 2022. Baltimore, MD. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/ 2022am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/142516 Watkins, E., B. Runck, A. Hollman, B. Schulz, and J. Bishop. 2022. Using environmental sensors on golf course greens to improve knowledge and management of winter stresses in cold nclimates. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Meeting. November 2022. Baltimore, MD. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2022am/meetingapp.cgi /Paper/142867 Here are some of our many 2022 presentations, articles, and webinars: Watkins, E. "Reducing inputs while improving performance through turfgrass species selection," Minnesota Association of Cemeteries Annual Meeting Minnesota Association of Cemeteries Annual Meeting, Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States. September 23, 2022.

Watkins, E. Minnetrista Town Hall Meeting - Water Supply, "Lawn water conservation," City of Minnetrista, Minnetrista, Minnesota, United States. May 3, 2022.

Watkins, E. Minnesota Turf Growers Annual Meeting, "Sod research at UMN," Minnesota Turf Growers, Ham 14 MTGF CLIPPINGS ~ SPRING / SUMMER 2023

Lake, Minnesota. March 31, 2022.

Watkins, E. 2022 Meeker County Gardener's Gala, "Lawn care during and after drought conditions," University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota. March 24, 2022.

Watkins, E., Finnish Greenskeepers Association. Winter Kill Webinar. Online., "New approaches to studying winter stresses of turfgrass." March 9, 2022 Schwab, R., J. Friell, E. Watkins, and G. Olson-Jensen, G. 2022. Determining irrigation thresholds using plant available water 10th ed., vol. 57, 50-57. MGCSA Hole Notes.

Runck, B., E. Watkins, and M. Reiter. 2022. Winter turf injury research update: Scaling data collection systems with support from superintendents 3rd ed., vol. 57, 48-51.

MGCSA Hole Notes.

Watkins, E. 2022. May I not mow in May?. University of Minnesota Turfgrass Blog. https://turf.umn.edu/may-i-not-mow-may Watkins, E. 2022. When seed is short, the solution is tall (fescue). University of Minnesota Turfgrass Blog. https://turf.umn.edu/when-seed-short-solution-tall-fescue Deters, G., and E. Watkins, 2022. Evaluating fine fescues for golf greens in cold climates. https://lowinputturf.umn.edu/evaluating-fine-fescuesgolf-greens-cold-climates We developed the following websites, books, and videos: Watkins, E., and K. Moncada. 2022. Planting and maintaining a fine fescue lawn. University of Minnesota Extension. Online. https://extension.umn.edu/node/87991 The funds requested will go for general turfgrass research support. This funding will be used to cover costs associated with turfgrass research like fees for land and greenhouse space, salary and benefits for staff associated with running our research facility (~$70,000 annually) along with additional equipment and supplies (typically between $20-30,000 per year).

www.MTGF.org

JANUARY 23, 24, 25

www.northerngreen.org

Roy Wilkins Auditorium

www.MTGF.org

Trade Show Floor

SPRING / SUMMER 2023 ~ MTGF CLIPPINGS 15

CUSTOM BLENDED MIXES

GOLF

SPORTS TURF

CONSISTENT QUALITY

We custom blend mixes using a computerized Accublender™, controlling quality & consistency.

HORTICULTURE

SATISFIED CUSTOMERS • Braemar Golf Course • Olympic Hills Golf Club

RESPONSIVE DELIVERY

Experienced drivers operate a fleet of more than 45 trucks. Our GPS locator helps us set the standard for the most responsive delivery in the 5-state area.

• Hazeltine National Golf Club • Allianz Field • MN Vikings

MINNESOTA FAMILY BUSINESS

• Downtown East Park

Our mining reserve supplies the finest quality products in the region including: golf, athletic soils, top dressing, engineered soils, MNDOT & MPCA mixes, iron aggregate mixes, rain garden and rooftop garden mixes. We precisely engineer soils using our computerized Accublender™ to provide you with consistent quality everytime.

• Bachman’s

763.441.1100 • plaistedcompanies.com info@plaistedcompanies.com

• Bailey’s

WE ARE SOIL EXPERTS

2nd Annual Green Industry Bowling Fundraiser Creates Scholarship Dollars for Anoka Tech Turfgrass Students Members from the Minnesota Park and Sports Field Management Association (MPSFMA) successfully defending its championship at the 2nd Annual MTGF/MNLA Foundation Fundraiser - the Green Industry Bowling Tournament - which was held March 8 at Flaherty's Bowl in Arden Hills. Second place honors also went to MPSFMA as Plaisted Companies, Pioneer Athletics and the Minnesota Twins bowled great, too. Participants rolled two games using 5-person teams. The two advancing first round winners of the final 4 teams had scores of 190-189, then in the Championship game the score was 178-158 in favor of MTGF/MPSFMA. The collaborated Scholarship fundraiser was a great success! With the help of many sponsors, and generosity of participants, the Green Industry Bowling Tournament is once again able to award two co-sponsored scholarships to two promising students. This year, the scholarships will go to Anoka Technical College instructor Travis Gienger’s online Turf Management program will begin later on this year.

Special thanks to the following: Hiway Federal Credit Union (1st Place Team Prize); Frost Spray Technology Products (Highest Score Individual); Tessman Company (Dinner); Plaisted Companies (Lowest Score Prize); Twin City Seed Company (Two $50 gift cards); Minnesota Sod Company (Super Ticket and Bowling Ball Prize Package); Ramy Turf (Drink Tickets); HSL Outdoor (Two Scholarship Donations), Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply (Premium Bowling Ball Prize), and Eco Works Supply (Four Cahart Lunch Coolers).

The Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation (MTGF) is a group of Green Industry professionals belonging to one of MTGF’s Allied Associations: Minnesota Association of Cemeteries, Minnesota Park and Sports Field Management Association, Minnesota Turf Association, Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents’ Association, Minnesota Society of Arboriculture, Minnesota Facility Management Professionals, Minnesota

Runners-up and representing MPSFMA were, from the left: Sue Craig, Plaisted Companies; Lucas Wittrock, University of Minnesota; MPSFMA Vice President Trent Waters, Minnesota Twins; Jenny Schwab, Plaisted Companies, and Tom O’Hern, Pioneer Athletics.

www.MTGF.org

Champions from MPSFMA are, from the left, Greg Brodd, Turfco Manufacturing; Jason Goehring, City of Plymouth, Herb Koch, Jr. Magic Turf, Mike McDonald, CSFM, retired, and Derek Hollanitsch, City of St. Paul. McDonald rolled a 233 for the event’s high game.

Turf Seed Council and the University of Minnesota. The MTGF Allied Associations are committed to providing safe, attractive and functional landscape and recreational areas that enhance Minnesota's quality of life in an environmentally sustainable manner.

The Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association are also Green Industry Professionals in Landscape & Hardscape Design & Install, Garden Services & Landscape Management, Garden Centers, Nursery & Greenhouse Growing, Irrigation & Water Management, and Arboriculture & Tree Services.

The MTGF is committed to supporting research, education and outreach programs, particularly those of the University of Minnesota, dedicated to creating, maintaining and enriching the careers of Minnesota's green industry professionals. The MTGF is also committed to the education and training of Allied Association members as well as other green industry professionals that contribute positively to Minnesota's economy and quality of life through well managed green spaces and water resources, safe and functional recreation areas, preservation of natural habitats of both plant and animals, and increased opportunities for interesting and diverse tourism venues.

The MTGF believes that knowledgeable, well trained Allied Association members, as well as other green industry professionals, contribute positively to the protection and enrichment of Minnesota's developed and natural landscapes utilizing environmentally sound maintenance practices, especially the application of fertilizers and pesticides, and selection and use of well-adapted, past resistant, non-invasive plant materials.

MNLA helps members operate businesses more successfully by providing education, networking, cost savings and industry insights; monitoring and influencing government affairs; promoting professionalism and collegiality; and responsibly improving and maintaining our environment.

SPRING / SUMMER 2023 ~ MTGF CLIPPINGS 17

Support the MTGF in Its Mission to Help Fund Green Industry Research and Youth Engagement!

Turf and grounds professionals in Minnesota and beyond have benefited greatly from innovative research funded by the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation. Since 2001, we have donated over $1.75 million to the University of Minnesota (this is over $88,000 per year!); this funding has helped build strong applied research programs focused on turf and landscape management. The ongoing support from the MTGF has given these research programs a foundation from which to seek larger grants that generate new approaches to landscape management that help sustain our industry.

Unfortunately, this past year has created a challenge for the MTGF as our primary revenue sources, Northern Green, which is a joint effort between MTGF and the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association, was not held in person and therefore did not generate sufficient income from which to make our annual donations for research.

Make a Point of Attending the Northern Green in St. Paul January 23-25, 2024 To continue our important role in support of turf and grounds research, we are asking for donations from individual MTGF members. In a normal year, you would’ve contributed to our efforts by attending the Northern Green, where you would have learned from leading horticultural educators, visited with vendors on the impressive trade show floor, and networked with your fellow green industry professionals. This year, you can have a positive impact by making a donation to help the MTGF continue our mission of funding research, outreach, and education for the turf and grounds professionals.

We hope you see this as an investment, one that will bring great returns in the form of new knowledge, more sustainable practices, and forward-looking approaches to maintain green spaces.

If you received this issue of MTGF Clippings in the mail, you are a member of one of seven allied associations, which makes you a member of the MTGF. 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 members. The seven MTGF allied associations are: + Minnesota Association of Cemeteries + Minnesota Educational Facilities Management Professionals + Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents' Association + Minnesota Park and Sports Field Management Association + Minnesota Society of Arboriculture + Minnesota Sod Producers + Minnesota Turf Seed Council Funding provided by the MTGF through your participation has been able to leverage millions of more dollars for turf and grounds research. The ramification was felt when the MTGF had to decide 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. Your attendance at the 2024 Northern Green helps is key. The Green Industry as a whole has been rewarded year after year through the research dollars granted by the MTGF and we are now asking for extra help to be able to continue this same success. Please visit the MTGF website (www.mtgf.org/donations) where you can find additional information on how you can donate to additional turf and grounds research in 2023. Thank you for your consideration.

To donate: www.mtgf.org/donations If you are a member of one of these Associations then you are a MTGF member!

18 MTGF CLIPPINGS ~ SPRING / SUMMER 2023

www.MTGF.org

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT OF MTGF’S MISSION TO FUND TURF & GROUNDS RESEARCH AND CONTINUED OPERATIONS AT TROE CENTER

BY DONATING TO THE MINNESOTA TURF AND GROUNDS FOUNDATION!

MTGF DONATION Name: _______________________________________________________________________ Company: _____________________________________________________________________ Donating in the name of: _________________________________________________________ Email Address: _________________________________________________________________ __ $25 __ $50 __ $100 __ $200 __ $500 __$1,000 __ $2,500 __ $5,000 __ Other

Donation amount: $ _________________ The mission of the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation is to promote the green industry in Minnesota through support of research, education and outreach at the University of Minnesota and elsewhere. The MTGF pursues its mission in various ways. One of these is an annual "Call For Proposals," titled the "MTGF Research Gift Program," whereby researchers, instructors and outreach faculty and staff involved in turf and grounds work may submit requests for unrestricted gifts to support their activities. As a 501(c)(3) corporation, funding approved by the MTGF will not be subjected to overhead or other indirect charges or costs. The dates for submission, review and approval may change on an annual basis as well as the protocol stipulated for the submission of gift requests.

SUPPORT RESEARCH, DONATE & SEND CHECK TO: Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation, P. O. Box 617, Wayzata, MN 55391 or donate online at www.mtgf.org/donations www.MTGF.org

SPRING / SUMMER 2023 ~ MTGF CLIPPINGS 19