MTGF CLIPPINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2021

MTGF Clippings OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA TURF AND GROUNDS FOUNDATION SPRING / SUMMER 2021 VOL. 29,, NO. 1

TROE CENTER University of of Minnesota Minnesota University Saint Paul Paul Campus Campus Saint

Show your support of MTGF’s mission to fund turf & grounds research, education and outreach along with the continued operations at TROE Center by donating to the MTGF today!

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 JAMIE BEZANSON President Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers President Jamie Bezanson Highland GC, MGCSA Vice President Sam Bauer Ramy Turf, MPSTMA Treasurer Steve Balfany Balfany Farms, MTA Ex-Officio Matt Cavanaugh Rush Creek GC, MGCSA Directors

MASMS

Tom Redmann Tom Redmann Consulting

MASMS

Tracy Closson Northfield Schools

MAC

Dave Kemp The Catholic Cemeteries

MAC

Dominic Pierre Union Cemeteries

MGCSA

Michael Sonnek Royal Golf Club

MPSTMA

Joshua Gerth, CSFM Bethel University

MSA

Manuel Jordán Heritage Shade Tree Consultants

MSA

Chad Giblin City Forester

MTA

Bryan Lawrence Rocket Turf & Nursery

MTSC

Brent Benike Northern Excellence Seed

MTSC

Richard Magnusson Magnusson Farms

Vendor Representative Jim O’Neill EcoWorks Supply

Vendor Representative Andy Keating Twin City Seed Company

I like hats, it’s very rare that you catch me not wearing one, whether it be one of my many different caps, toques (Canadian for winter hat) or Stetsons. You can call it laziness; I like to think of it as being efficient. The ease of putting on a hat in the morning and not worrying about my cowlick is always part of my morning ritual. I have a modest collection of hat wear that I often find myself pondering the selection depending on my mood or event I will be attending.

The opportunity to wear many different hats keeps my job of being a golf course Superintendent exciting. On any given moment I could be wearing the hat of an agronomist, biologist, chemist, entomologist, phycologist, mechanic, engineer, and politician. Throw all that together with the unpredictability of people and weather add to the dynamic challenge of being a manager. I often find myself struggling to balance work with being a good parent, husband, brother, son, and friend are other hats I find myself wearing.

Another hat I’ve recently added to my professional juggling act is becoming the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation (MTGF) President. The MTGF has been fortunate to have many great past presidents that I am humbled to follow. A large portion of the Foundation’s funding comes from the Northern Green which was held virtually for the first time this past January because of COVID-19. Despite the MNLA’s best effort to pivot to a virtual format the pandemic dramatically affected participation. Without the support of our industry the Northern Green suffered a financial loss. The loss was also extended to the MTGF’s ability to fund any research projects which was very disappointing considering its the mission of the foundation. There are still ways you can help support the MTGF in 2021. By attending one of the education events or donating to research via the MTGF website at www.mtgf.org/donations you can be confident that all 7 allied associations will continue to benefit.

As we move toward a new normal the MTGF Board of directors and MNLA are hopeful that the Northern Green trade show in January 2022 will be in person and we continue our proud tradition of supporting research. The 2022 Northern Green needs your involvement and input to continue our trade shows success. So please, attend the Northern Green, register, participate, be involved, get educated and walk the Trade Show floor. You may even discover a new hat!

Sincerely,

UM Representative Dr. Eric Watkins University of Minnesota * * * *

Executive Director Jeff Turtinen 763-703-4983 jeff.turtinen@mtgf.org P. O. Box 617 Wayzata, MN 55391

www.mtgf.org

Jamie Bezanson President Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation

8 MTGF CLIPPINGS ~ SPRING/SUMMER 2021

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 Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota

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

2

President’s Report: The Business of the MTGF

By Jamie Bezanson Superintendent, Highland Golf Course

5

Donations Needed!

By Matt Cavanaugh Superintendent, Rush Creek GC

7

How Big is Our Tree?

By Gary Deters, Field Facility Manager, TROE Center

8

MTGF: Steadfast Support for Minnesota’s Green Industries

By Chad Giblin Director of Operations, City Forester, LLC

9

Putting the Horse Before the Cart: The Adoption of Artificial Turfgrass in Cities

By Dr. Michael Barnes Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Psychology

11 Water in the Land of 10,000 Lakes

By Shane Evans, UM Lawn Water Conservation Educator 13 Long-Term Ecological Research Funding

By Dr. Eric Watkins Professor, Turfgrass Breeding and Genetics UM Department of Horticultural Science 14 MTGF Allied Association Spotlight: MASMS MN Educational Facility Management Professionals

By Ruth Kraemer MASMS Executive Administrator 15 MTGF Members Invited to Volunteer on Maintenance Team At the 3M Open at TPC-Twin Cities July 19-25 in Blaine

By Mark Michalski Superintendent, TPC-Twin Cities 17 MASTER CLASS: Technology Use in the Green Industry Available through August 2021

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

ABOUT THE COVER:An aerial view of the Turf Research Outreach & Education Center (TROE Center) in St. Paul is the main site for turf research at the University of Minnesota. Up until this year, the MTGF has been able to donate funds for the operation of this facility. Please consider donating at www.mtgf.org/donation. TROE Center has been the site of many past MTGF/University of Minnesota Field Days.

MTGF Clippings Advertisers 3 McCarthy Well Company 4 MagicTurf 6 Frontier Ag 8 Eco Works Supply 9 Hartman Companies 10 Plaisted Companies 13 Gerten’s Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply 15 SMSC Organics Recycling Facility 16 Ziegler CAT 18 The Tessman Company

19 MPSTMA Invites MTGF Members to Play Golf in Its August 5 Scramble at Royal Golf Club in Lake Elmo

www.MTGF.org

SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ~ MTGF CLIPPINGS 3

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MTGF Seeks Donations as Pandemic Hinders Its Ability to Fund Turf & Grounds Research Dear MTGF members: 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.

We need your help.

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.

As a member of one of the seven allied associations, you are already a member of the MTGF. There are 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 Turf Managers 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.

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 for 2021 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 2021.

Thank you for your consideration.

www.MTGF.org

Please donate today!

SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ~ MTGF CLIPPINGS 5

How Big is Our Tree?

By Gary Deters Field Facility Manager Turfgrass Research, Outreach and Education Center

Raise your hand if you thought this was going to be an article about the latest University of Minnesota variety or cultivar of tree. What I am referring to is the tree of learning that extends from the educators and researchers at our university.

When I had my in-person interview with the turfgrass research team, I had the opportunity to walk the hallways of Alderman Hall for the first time in twenty years since I was a turf student. It brought back some great memories of Dr. Don White and my horticulture classmates. Dr. White was a fantastic turfgrass professor, but better yet, he was a very kind and caring person.

There are a large number of people in the turf industry today who took a turfgrass management class taught by Dr. White including researchers, professors, landscape designers and managers, turfgrass breeders and many other occupations. There are also current and past golf course superintendents like myself all over the country who are former University of Minnesota turfgrass students. I consider this to be Dr. White’s teaching tree.

The first time I heard a tree referred to something other than a living tree was from the National Football League.

Bill Walsh was the three-time Super Bowl winning head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from the 1980s. Their success led to coaches moving on to other teams in the head coaching capacity. It was called the Bill Walsh coaching tree. During my years as an assistant and golf course superintendent, I had several staff members that pursued a turfgrass career. Today I can proudly say two are golf course superintendents and a few others are in assistant roles. It is a nice feeling to know I had a role in their decision to enter the industry. I like to think I have at least a

Figure 1. Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) greens where UMN researchers are able to perform golf related experiments and trials at TROE. In the background, researchers are installing fine fescue (Festuca spp.) plugs for research to improve low input sod production. Photo by Gary Deters.

www.MTGF.org

Figure 2.An aerial view of TROE Center during a MTGF/UM Field Day. Photo by Will Wardrop.

little tree growing.

It has been quite a few years since I graduated, and in that time, the turfgrass science team at the University of Minnesota has had previous educators creating widereaching branches including Dr. Brian Horgan and Sam Bauer to name a few. While there are fewer undergraduate turfgrass students, it amazes me how much the program has grown since I was a student. The on-campus Turfgrass Research, Outreach and Education Center (TROE) has become a place where career goals and dedication are met with the passion of improving turfgrasses and education (Figure 1). Dr. Horgan had a vision of an on-campus teaching facility that became a reality with initiative and generosity. I can’t even begin to know the number of people TROE has helped over the years (Figure 2). It is all a part of the education tree.

The current team from the research group led by Dr. Watkins includes Andrew Hollman, Dr. Florence Sessoms, Maggie Reiter, Dr. Dominic Patrella, Dr. Michael Barnes, Shane Evans, Ryan Schwab, and Kristine Moncada have a lot of great knowledge that can be shared with current and future turf students. Each team member has a special area they are working on and the work of the team is everevolving. The turf group has a lot of experience, both in the field and the greenhouse, which includes research, breeding and genetics, golf course management, low input turf (water and nutrients), journal publishing, and much more.

Based on that alone, students will have an opportunity to pursue a program that fits directly into their career goals.

Every year the University of Minnesota turfgrass tree gets bigger and bigger. Now that I have become a part of the research team and see what is happening on a daily basis, I believe the opportunities for students to learn are at an all-time high.

So, now I can go back to the title of the article to answer the question, how big is our tree? It’s massive!

SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ~ MTGF CLIPPINGS 7

MTGF: Steadfast Support for Minnesota’s Green Industries

By Chad Giblin Director of Operations City Forester, LLC

For over 15 years the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation supported my work at the University of Minnesota. Beginning with a fortuitous introduction to a bundle of branches (that would later become the St. Croix™ American elm) to the critical support that helped launch Youth Engagement in Arboriculture (YEA), MTGF provided critical seed funding for outreach and research that continues to benefit research and outreach at the University of Minnesota and Minnesota’s Green Industries as a whole.

Without the support from MTGF, the University of Minnesota Elm Selection Program (UMESP) may never have been launched nor have had the opportunity to grow. Now supported by a grant from the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center (MITPPC) the UMESP continues to seek Minnesota native red, rock, and American elms that may be resistant to Dutch elm disease. When I think back on the hundreds of school-age kids and young adults that have been a part of YEA programming, I can recall the joy and sense of accomplishment they felt when completing a challenging tree climb. I have many fond memories of 3rd graders sharing their unique and hopeful visions through the City of Saint Paul’s Arbor Month poster contest. And, as my career at the University of Minnesota drew to a close, I was fortunate enough to have opportunities to conduct research into tree preservation. We explored unique ways to quantitatively analyze and preserve our largest, oldest, and most iconic tree species. MTGF funding not only made all of this possible, but also set a precedent that has allowed the next generation of educators and researchers to continue this work.

The MTGF is such a unique and all-encompassing organization, representing seven allied industries in Minnesota, ranging from turf seed producers, to professional arborists, and the many professional managers of cemeteries, facilities, sports turf, and golf courses. I have personally expe-

Teaching 5th graders about tree decay using a Resistograph through Youth Engagement in Arboriculture (YEA) programming in 2019.

rienced how the individual might of each organization is compounded by the collective good that MTGF can bring through workshops, field days, and research and outreach grants.

If anything, the last 15 months have shown us that, despite the many challenges, commitment and work toward a greater good always results in meaningful, positive, and lasting change. As a current MTGF board member I now represent the Minnesota Society of Arboriculture (MSA) and remain committed to the work, the vision, and the mission of MTGF. I urge all members to consider fundraising opportunities and to make a strong commitment to support MTGF by attending Northern Green in 2022!

(Editor’s Note: The Urban Forestry Outreach and Research Lab & Nursery in the Department of Forest Resources is led by Dr. Eric North with Ryan Murphy, Monica Randazzo, Ashley Reichard, and Nick Neylon. The Forest Pathology Lab in the Department of Plant Pathology is led by Dr. Robert Blanchette with Dr. Ben Held.)

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Putting the Horse Before the Cart: The Adoption of Artificial Turfgrass in Cities

By Dr. Michael Barnes Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Psychology University of Minnesota

Globally many cities have implemented ‘re-greening’ programs to meet sustainability goals and deliver enhancements to the quality of life for their residents. However, turfgrass has most often been thought of as a problematic part of urban landscapes, being not ‘green’ enough to be part of re-greening programs that have largely focused exclusively on trees. To date, such approaches have mostly ignored advancements in turf management as well as lowinput varieties of turfgrasses for both warm and cool climates.

undertaken research aimed at understanding how individuals feel about artificial turfgrass compared to natural turfgrass. This work has two specific aims: the first is related to understanding how likely individuals are to engage in various activities such as having a picnic or playing with a pet on an artificial lawn vs a natural lawn, the second is seeing if differences exist in mental health and well-being being benefits between the two lawn types.

The outcomes of this work will provide a first look at how the group most impacted by these changes, actual users of turfgrass lawns, might interact with and feel about artificial turfgrass compared to natural turfgrass. We hope that these findings will help decision-makers and public land managers make informed decisions driven by user input before swapping natural turfgrass for artificial turf and consider other available alternatives. Additionally, this work can spur research addressing user requirements of turfgrass lawns that haven’t been investigated thoroughly.

Figure 1. An artificial turf future? Image digitally edited to put artificial turf where natural turf was. Photo by Dr. Michael Barnes.

An unusual but not unexpected outcome is homeowners and cities turning to artificial turf to provide the necessary groundcover for relaxation and recreation in lieu of natural turfgrass (Figure 1). Natural to artificial swaps are done for a variety of reasons but most are related to maintenance requirements coupled with high input concerns of natural turfgrass (e.g., water, fertilizer). While specific research is being conducted related to the environmental and ecological impacts of artificial turf, no research to date has addressed how regular citizens, the main users of public areas of turfgrass, actually feel about artificial turfgrass spaces.

In an effort to address this significant gap, we have www.MTGF.org

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SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ~ MTGF CLIPPINGS 9

Water in the Land of 10,000 Lakes

By Shane Evans Lawn Water Conservation Educator University of Minnesota

In Minnesota we are privileged to be called the Land of 10,000 Lakes. We are also the state where you can find the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River. As such, people don’t typically worry about how much water they use.

This is especially true when looking at the amount of water applied to lawns and landscapes. During winter however, almost no water is used outside the home (watering the flowers/lawn, swimming pools, etc.). So what could a lawn water conservation educator possibly talk about during these cold winter months? I wanted to briefly discuss general water use in the home, give you a peek into Minnesota’s water infrastructure and make you more aware of how water impacts your daily life. If you have ever wondered where the water used in your home comes from, where it goes, or how much water you use each day, this is the article for you.

Where Does Your Water Come From?

Though lakes and rivers abound across the Minnesota landscape, over half of the public water supply comes from groundwater. Groundwater is defined as water taken from an aquifer (a natural underground layer of sand, gravel and porous rock). Another portion of Minnesotans use a personal well for water, with the remainder of the public water supply coming from surface water (rivers and lakes).

In short, more than 70 percent of the water used by Minnesotans comes from below the ground!

How Does Water Get to My Home?

The process isn’t exactly the same for each watershed district, but in general, water goes through three steps before it enters your home.

Step 1 Water is collected and stored. For surface waters, this collection basin is often a reservoir or dam. Groundwater can also be pumped to a collection basin, but is typically stored in water towers.

Step 2 To assure water meets the drinking standards of the EPA (learn about the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974) this stored water is filtered (removal of silt, leaves, etc) and is then treated to kill harmful microorganisms and other impurities. At this time, fluoride may also be added to the public water supply. www.MTGF.org

Figure 1. A photo of one of Minnesota’s most well known water towers. This tower is located in Falcon Heights, MN on the grounds of the Minnesota State Fair.

Step 3 This treated water is then pumped into storage tanks, such as your local water tower, and eventually pumped into your home for you to use.

All of this pumping and moving of water requires miles of piping which often goes unnoticed because it is primarily underground. Even though you may not see it, your home, your yard and even the street you live on has pipes underneath which connect each house, water tank and treatment facility to this water highway.

Where Does Water Go Once It Goes Down the Drain?

In the Twin Cities Metro Area (TCMA), water that has gone down the drain will end up at one of nine wastewater treatment facilities. After traveling through miles of pipe, these nine treatment facilities will treat around 250 million gallons of water per day and serve approximately 2.6 million people. For perspective, an Olympic size swimming pool contains 660,000 gallons of water, which means, almost 400 Olympic size swimming pools of water are treated every day by these facilities. After treatment, water from these nine facilities, and many of the other facilities around the state, will eventually end up flowing down the Mississippi River.

(Continued on Page 12) SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ~ MTGF CLIPPINGS 11

Water in the Land Of 10,000 Lakes(Continued from Page 11) How Much Water Do I Use in My Home?

Doing some quick math you can estimate each of those 2.6 million people uses 96 gallons of water per day. Now, not all water treated as these plants comes from homes, but a large percentage does. Of the water used in homes in the TCMA, almost a quarter of it is used outside and 10 percent can be attributed to leaks!

Here at the University of Minnesota, our turfgrass research group is trying to improve water use efficiency in the home by reducing the need for outdoor water use.

I hope you've enjoyed this brief look into the Twin Cities water system and its complexities. I hope you better

12 MTGF CLIPPINGS ~ SPRING/SUMMER 2021

Figure 2. This data was presented in the Minnesota Department of Health guide, "Drinking Water - Keeping it safe for all of us". The data was collected in 2015 by the Metropolitan Council master water supply plan.

understand the effort that goes into keeping clean water readily available for everyone. Water is essential, and

without clean water, life would be much harder for all of us. Though my focus is on lawn water conservation and education, I feel it is important we also understand where our water comes from and the many other ways it can impact us and our environment.

Much of the information presented in this article can be found in the many links below. If you would like to learn more, please click a link that interests you and tell a friend or neighbor what you learn.

Find out which watershed organization you belong to at https://www.mnwatershed.org/watershed-district-map From this same webpage you can learn about watershed districts, the role they play and even navigate to your watershed districts webpage and learn what is happening in your area.

(Editor’s Note: Resources from the Minnesota Department of Health include “Information on Drinking Water in the Home, Information on Drinking water and COVID-19, and information regarding groundwater resources. Information on the Clean Water Fund. Many of the organizations working with water receive funding from the Clean Water Fund.

Learn more about the Clean Water Fund and the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment at http://bwsr.state.mn.us/cwf_programs.) www.MTGF.org

Long-Term Ecological Research Funding

By Dr. Eric Watkins Professor, Turfgrass Breeding and Genetics Department of Horticultural Science University of Minnesota

The National Science Foundation funds a number of duct vegetation surveys on lawns in the Twin Cities over the next six years. Our primary goal is to learn if the incluLong-Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites across the sion of flowering plants (bee country. Most of these are lawns), either intentionally or natural areas, such as the unintentionally, benefit polliwell-known Cedar Creek nator populations.

Ecosystem Science Reserve Our primary goal Researchers from our in East Bethel, MN. Two of is to learn if the inclusion group will be visiting up to these LTERs are urban, cov80 lawns each year, repreering a metropolitan area. of flowering plants (bee lawns), senting a range of manageA team of researchers at the University of Minnesota ment types, and taking either intentionally and a few other institutions, detailed vegetation counts, or unintentionally, documenting which species led by Professor Sarah are present. These assessHobbie in the Department of benefit pollinator populations. ments will also help us learn Ecology, Evolution and about other aspects of turfBehavior, received $7.1 milgrass ecology. lion in funding to make the This is an exciting opporTwin Cities an Urban LTER starting in 2021. tunity for our team to build new collaborations with other As part of this project, we have received funding to conresearchers interested in urban landscapes.

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SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ~ MTGF CLIPPINGS 13

MTGF ALLIED ASSOCIATION SPOTLIGHT Minnesota Educational Facility Management Professionals

By RUTH KRAEMER MASMS Executive Administrator

The Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation (MTGF) is made up of seven affiliated groups that deal with the maintenance and planning of turf and grounds.

One of these associations is the Minnesota Educational Facilities Management Professionals, also known as MASMS. MASMS is a group of over 600 individuals in the area of facilities, grounds, health and safety operations for Minnesota K-12 and higher education.

MASMS is committed to promoting excellence in the operation and care of educational facilities.

The purpose of MASMS is to develop and maintain high standards in total care, operation and development of buildings and grounds used by public and non-public educational facilities.

Andover High School School grounds are made up of many components. Parking lots, drives, drainage ponds, athletic facilities, walkways, landscape and native areas, and building structures all work together to allow thousands of students, staff and the public access to schools in an efficient, functional and safe manner.

14 MTGF CLIPPINGS ~ SPRING/ SUMMER 2021

MASMS provides a means by which active members can meet for discussion and continuing education. MASMS aids and cooperates with federal, state and local educational agencies in promoting professional ideals and standards while engaging in other activities that promote the objectives of the association.

A MASMS membership offers professional development and learning opportunitie. Chapter and State Meetings feature educational sessions on important topics.

MASMS also offers AFE Certification and a MASMS Certification Program.

Membership in the association consists of active, associate and life members.

Active membership is restricted to persons employed in the operation and/or maintenance administration services of schools or colleges. Active members have the right to vote and hold office.

Associate membership consists of exhibitors and other persons directly associated with or concerned in the aims and objectives of the organization. Associate membership may be individuals or companies.

Members benefit from the knowledge and experience of each other by sharing information via our list serve. Our monthly meetings provide a forum for ongoing discussion and support. There are also several experienced managers that are available to mentor school districts in the areas of facility assessments and planning, budget assessments and planning, construction, health and safety and facility maintenance standards.

Each Fall, MASMS members can participate in our annual Conference and Trade Show with numerous educational opportunities, and can see the latest products and services at our huge trade show.

Custodial/ Maintenance/ Grounds Appreciation Days includes numerous educational and hands-on training sessions targeted especially for staff members involved with custodial, maintenance and grounds care.

(Editor’s Note: More information is available at www.masms.org or contact Ruth Kraemer, MASMS Executive Administrator at ruth@masms.org or 320-685-4585.) www.MTGF.org

MTGF Members Invited to Volunteer on Maintenance Team At the 3M Open at TPC-Twin Cities July 19-25 in Blaine

By Mark Michalski Superintendent, TPC-Twin Cities

Dear MTGF Members: Thank you for your continued support of our Maintenance Team at TPC Twin Cities. We are once again looking for volunteers for this summer’s 3M Open. The dates for the event are July 19th-25th. Do not feel that the only way you can volunteer is if you sign up for all the shifts. We have a great many folks who volunteer for only what they can do, whether that be evening shifts only, morning shifts only or only one day of volunteering. We are happy to accept any help we can receive. If you need lodging, we are happy to provide that we just ask you to sign up quickly, so we know how many rooms to book. This year’s signup is running through our tournament office, so it is slightly different than year’s past.

Thanks so much for considering being a part of our 3M Open staff!

www.MTGF.org

Directions for Signup: • After you click the red “register here” button, it is very important that you click “Agronomy Team” right above the continue button and NOT “Standard Volunteer.”

• When you are asked to select a committee preference, the only option will be Agronomy.

• You will then be asked to enter the password “11072”.

• You will need to click “not available” on the days you cannot work, the site will not let you go through before doing so.

If you have any issues or questions please feel free to reach out to me on my cell at 763-442-7533 or by email at markmichalski@pgatourtpc.com. Thanks and look forward to having you.

Follow this link to register: https://events.trustevent.com/templates/index.cfm?fuseaction=templates.home&eid=3814.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ~ MTGF CLIPPINGS 15

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.

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 technologies 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, www.MTGF.org

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

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.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ~ MTGF CLIPPINGS 17

Fargo, Fargo, ND

St St.. PPaul, aul, MN Tea, SD

ST.. PPaul PAUL St St. aul (651) 487-3850

(651) (651) 487487-3850 3850

FARGO, ND Fargo, F(701) argo , ND 232-7238 (701) 232-7238 (701) 2327238

TEA, SD Tea, SD (605) 368-2586

((605) 605) 368368-2586 2586

MPSTMA Invites MTGF Allied Association Members To Play Golf in Its August 5 Scramble at Royal Golf Club in Lake Elmo The 2nd Annual MPSTMA Scramble Invitational 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 along with prizes for top finishers and closest-to-the pin contests.

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.

MTGF 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 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.

Complete the form below or go to www.mpstma.org to register.

MPSTMA GOLF SCRAMBLE INVITATIONAL Thursday, August 5, 2021 Royal Golf Club, Lake Elmo, MN Name: __________________________________________________________________________________ Company: _______________________________________________________________________________ MTGF Allied Association __MGCSA __MASMS __MAC __MSA __MTA __MTSC __MPSTMA Player 1: ________________________________________________________________________________ Player 1: ________________________________________________________________________________ Player 1: ________________________________________________________________________________ Player 1: ________________________________________________________________________________ Amount Enclosed: $ _________________

Please send form with check to: Minnesota Park and Sports Turf Managers Association, P. O. Box 617, Wayzata, MN 55391 www.MTGF.org

SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ~ MTGF CLIPPINGS 19

PRST STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit #32324 Twin Cities, MN

P. O. Box 617 Wayzata, MN 55391

ALLIED ASSOCIATIONS OF THE MTGF

Show your support of MTGF’s mission to fund turf & grounds research and the continued operations at TROE Center by donating to the MTGF today!

Name: _______________________________________________________________________ Company: _____________________________________________________________________ Donating in the name of: _________________________________________________________ Email Address: _________________________________________________________________

Donation amount: $ _________________ PLEASE COMPLETE AND SEND CHECK TO: Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation, P. O. Box 617, Wayzata, MN 55391 or donate online at www.mtgf.org/donations