TPI 2023 Summer Convention and Field Day

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2023 ATTENDEE BROCHURE

REGISTRATION AGENDA

FULL CONFERENCE PASS INCLUDES

All Education Sessions at MGM Grand Detroit

President’s Reception at MGM Grand Detroit

Tuesday Breakfast and Lunch at MGM Grand Detroit

Farm Night at New Lawn Sod Farm including Exhibitor Show and Tell, dinner, and transportation

Field Day at New Lawn Sod Farm including lunch and transportation.

Access to Additional Activity Tickets

• Optional Activities: Greenfield Village or Local Farm Tour to include Michigan State University

• Women in Turf Dinner sponsored by Turfgrass Producers Association, Barenbrug, and Brouwer Kesmac, $25.00 per person fee

• Parents’ Night Out and Kids’ Night in at MGM Grand Detroit, $20.00 per child fee

• Detroit Tigers Game & picnic dinner in the park sponsored by Landmark Seed Co., MVP Genetics, Mountain View Seeds, $30.00 per person fee

FARM ONLY PASS INCLUDES

Farm Night at New Lawn Sod Farm including Exhibitor Show and Tell, and dinner.

Field Day at New Lawn Sod Farm including lunch.

Access to Additional Activity Tickets

• Optional Activities: Greenfield Village or Local Farm Tour to include Michigan State University

• Women in Turf Dinner sponsored by Turfgrass Producers Association, Barenbrug, and Brouwer Kesmac, $25.00 per person fee

• Parents’ Night Out and Kids’ Night in at MGM Grand Detroit, $20.00 per child free

• Detroit Tigers Game & picnic dinner in the park sponsored by Landmark Seed Co., MVP Genetics, and Mountain View Seed, $30.00 per person fee

turfgrasssod.org/events/ conference2023/

SPEAKERS

DICK WITTMAN

Dick Wittman is board chair and former manager of a 20,000-acre dry land crop, range cattle and timber operation in northern Idaho. Management of the farm has transitioned to a partnership of four other family partners. He also provides private consulting to farm, ranch and agricultural support businesses.

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JOLENE BROWN

A Message From Jolene...

I deeply respect and admire those who feed, clothe, and fuel the world. I dedicate my work to grassroots farmers, growers, and ranchers… as well as the organizations, cooperatives, and companies that support agriculture.

Whether I’m speaking to an audience of thousands at an outdoor farm show...

...recording a podcast on the joys of the dreaded mid-harvesting equipment breakdown

...addressing the realities of family business in Successful Farming magazine

...or working the fields of our Eastern Iowa corn and soybean farm with one of my grandsons on the tractor’s buddy seat…

My goal is the same: To be a champion for the people and industry of agriculture.

Farm-born and raised, I am truly a real “Farmer Brown.” I’ve made it my life’s mission to help the thousands of farmers, growers, and ranchers share their stories with the wider world. I help our families build a legacy, using my experience and tools to grow, fix, and transition their businesses. And always — always! — with large helpings of interaction, humor and respect.

Whether you’re a fifth-generation rancher wanting to laugh and commiserate about the weather or the work ethic, an event planner looking for a powerful, entertaining speaker, or a curious visitor who wants to learn more about the people who put food on your table, fuel in your car, and clothes on your back, please consider yourself more than welcome here.

In the world of agriculture, there are no strangers — just new neighbors.

After receiving a degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Idaho and an MBA from the University of Utah, Wittman worked for the Farm Credit System from 1972-1980. His banking career concluded with the Farm Credit Administration in Washing ton, D. C., where he supervised Farm Credit operations in several Eastern, mid -West, and Southern US districts.

In 1980 he joined the family farm in Idaho and established a private consulting practice. Wittman has worked with numerous farm clients and professional practitioners, conducted seminars, facilitated strategic planning, taught college classes and developed videotape training modules on a variety of topics throughout the U. S., Canada, and Australia. He specializes in financial management, process improvement, developing management systems, business succession planning and conflict resolution. In recent years he has focused on train-the-trainer workshops to expand the international resource base of consultants who can assist family businesses in agricultural finance and transition issues. In January 2004, he published Building Effective Farm Management Systems, a guidebook designed to help commercialsize family farm businesses put in place professional governance and transition processes. A companion video was produced of his flagship workshop on Family Business Management Proficiency in 2011.

Wittman has served on several industry, community and bank boards, and lobbied on numerous farm policy issues serving on the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council (5-yrs as president), University of Idaho Ag Consulting Council, Inland Empire Pea Growers Cooperative, Twin River National Bank (1982-89), and Advisory Council for the UI Ag Economics and Rural Sociology Department. He is a founding director and past president of the Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association and has served since 2007 on a national farm advisory group for Environment Defense Fund focusing on climate change and sustainability.

In 1996 he became a director and in 2006 served as president of the Farm Financial Standards Council, a group of farm management and financial experts who have been working for 40 years to professionalize farm accounting and financial analysis processes. The council released national guidelines for Managerial Accounting in 2006 with a focus on accurately determining cost of production. Wittman is a nationally recognized educator on this topic.

Wittman has served on the faculty for the TEPAP Ag Executive Program in Austin, Texas since 2003, and is an adjunct faculty member of Texas A&M University. He is also a founding member of familybusiness.ag, a peer group of consulting professionals promoting excellence and integrity and empowering continuity in the agricultural family business consulting profession. In 2014 he joined the Board of Advisors for the Farm Journal Legacy Institute and also serves on the FarmHouse Fraternity National Foundation Board of Trustees.

Stewardship has been a Wittman Family Farm tradition. The farm was selected as the national Millennium Farm Family in 2000 by the Ag Earth Partnership. Wittman received the 2002 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Agriculture in Environmental Stewardship. The Wittman Family sponsors an Outdoor Education Camp located on their farm in cooperation with the local Boys and Girls Club. Begun in 1986, this camp gives hundreds of students, teachers and natural resource professionals annually an exposure to key natural resource concepts, and it enables the farm to share its vision on how a farm can be managed, shared, and kept sustainable for future generations.

Wittman and his wife, Dawn, have raised five children.

SPEAKERS

RONALD SCHIEDEL Greenhorizons Sod Farms

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DR. CASEY REYNOLDS Turfgrass Producers International

Dr. Casey Reynolds has been the Executive Director of TPI since May 2017, and prior to that he served as Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist at Texas A&M University and as a researcher at North Carolina State University. He is a passionate advocate for the many benefits of natural grass in urban and suburban environments worldwide. Since joining TPI in 2017, he has been the author or co-author of over 200 written publications and an invited speaker at over 60 events in 5 countries and 14 U.S. states.

Since its inception in 1975, Greenhorizons Sod Farms has been a family business, growing and harvesting some of Southern Ontario’s finest sod on more than 5,000 acres of land. The family roots run deep and business is currently operating in its 4th generation. Graduating high school in 1977, Ron quickly stepped into the family business with his parents. He attended his first TPI conference in 1977 and it’s safe to say that sod farming quickly became ingrained in Ron. Along with his brother Steve, he has been at the helm of expanding their family sod business now with their anchor brand; BigYellowBag®. This iconic garden soil brand has seen over 1.1 million bags of garden soil sold across North America. The family also owns & operates an architecturally designed golf course in the area named Willow Valley, where you will find a top-class bent grass practice facility.

Today, Greenhorizons is a leading sod supplier for infrastructure, golf courses, nature spaces, sports fields and so much more. An active member of his community, Ron has also been President of both The Nursery Sod Growers Association of Ontario and The Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation. Ask many in the industry and when you think passion for turfgrass, you think Ron Schiedel. But it’s not all turf & soil for Ron - he has a love for snowmobiling, curling, and shares a passion of antiques with his wife Sue. To this day, Greenhorizons continues to farm the same land the Schiedel’s ancestors did, and you can regularly find Ron scouting the fields, moving soil, or gladly sharing his wealth of knowledge with the next generation.

DAY FIELD

TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2023 • 4PM

It’s summertime and what could be better than a night at the farm with your family? Head to New Lawn Sod Tuesday evening for dinner, an exhibitor show and tell, and a fun-filled event with a massive amount of agritainment! Check out all this farm has to offer including a life-size cornhole board, massive slides, and delicious ice cream treats provided by Cameron Financial.

Did we mention we’re raising funds for The Lawn Institute with a good ole fashioned trike race?

We’re bringing back the famous The Lawn Institute Trike Races and the TPI Board is throwing their hat in the ring to be the top team! Teams of four will race relay style at New Lawn Sod Farm’s trike race course during Family Farm Night. Register your team of four today and take on the TPI Board!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2023 • 9–3PM

Grab your family and hop on a bus at MGM Grand Detroit early Wednesday to New Lawn Sod Farm. Enjoy a full day at the farm meeting with our esteemed exhibitors and catching up with old friends at your leisure. Select your lunch from one of our delicious food trucks and head to one of our many picnic tables spread throughout the field.

Thank you to New Lawn Sod Farm and the DeBuck family for opening your farm to Turfgrass Producers International.

THE LAWN INSTITUTE FUNDRAISING AUCTION

Affordable and lightweight with a lifting capacity of 5,000 pounds, The 5K Series Donkey forklift has power and durability for the heaviest loads. The 5K Series has standard features that include side shift, strobe light, smart backup alarm, and corrosion resistant features. Driven by a Tier 4 compliant Kubota diesel engine and a 6 speed GM transmission, this unit is capable of reaching speeds of up to 15 mph for greatly improved delivery time for those really long hauls.

Model #: M12-5K MSRP: $67,000

ACTIVITIES OPTIONAL

GREENFIELD VILLAGE • $75

Visit one of Detroit’s best landmarks! Experience firsthand the sights, sounds and sensations of America’s fascinating formation, where over 80 acres brim with resourcefulness and ingenuity. Here, 300 years of American perseverance serve as a living reminder that anything is possible. Step foot in the lab where Thomas Edison had his lightbulb moment or the workshop where the Wright brothers taught us to reach for the sky. Take a ride in a real Model T, or a walk through four working farms. Rub shoulders with world-class artisans, and explore the place where America’s cando spirit inspires you to go out and get it done.

This summer marks the 20th anniversary of Greenfield Village’s monumental transformation of 2003. The village reopened back then after a nine-month construction project that transformed the property into the experience it is today. We invite you to commemorate with us the historic restoration project that left a legacy for generations to come.

The ticket includes the cost of admission, unlimited train rides, $10.00 food voucher. Transportation is not included to and from the village.

SOLD OUT

MICHIGAN STATE TURF PROGRAM TOUR • $100

Join TPI while we visit local farms in Michigan. Tour Michigan State University’s Hancock Center and learn about their FIFA program.

DETROIT TIGERS VS LOS ANGELES ANGELS SPONSORED BY LANDMARK SEED CO., MVP GENETICS, MOUNTAIN VIEW SEEDS • $30

TPI is taking over the Party Plaza of Comerica Park during the Tigers vs Angels game Wednesday, July 26. Your ticket includes access to the game and dinner in our TPI Reserved Seating.

NEW FOR SUMMER 2023!

WOMEN IN TURF DINNER $25

Join the Turfgrass ProducHERS International group for a women-only dinner at the MGM Grand Detroit. Network with other women in the industry over a delicious meal provided by Turfgrass Producers Association, Barenbrug, and Brouwer Kesmac.

PARENTS NIGHT OUT, KIDS NIGHT $20

Parents? Who needs them when we can party by ourselves?

Kids! Join TPI for a night of food, fun, and games provided by trusted childcare providers. Games will be determined based on registrants’ ages however, there is sure to be something for everyone.

Children ages 2-16 are welcome. In-room sitters are available at request for an additional fee if desired.

ACCOMMODATIONS

MGM GRAND DETROIT

Host Hotel

1777 3rd Ave. Detroit, MI 48226

Call to book (877) 888-2121

THE WESTIN BOOK CADILLAC DETROIT

Non-Gaming Hotel

1114 Washington Blvd. Detroit, MI 48226

If you are looking for a non-gaming hotel, we have secured limited rooms at The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit. TPI has negotiated with The Westin to offer a special room rate of $199 USD for single or double occupancy.

Book online

OUR SPONSORS THANK YOU TO

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