2022 January/February Turf News

January/February 2022

Turf News A publication of Turfgrass Producers Internationall

The only magazine devoted exclusively to turfgrass production

Get Better Acquainted with Your 2022 President IN THIS ISSUE Preview the 2022 TPI Conference & Field Day Forecast 2022 Marketing Tips & Techniques

... And Much More

January/February 2022

Turf News A publication of Turfgrass Producers Internationall

The only magazine devoted exclusively to turfgrass production

Get Better tterr Acquainted with Your 2022 President IN THIS ISSUE Preview the 2022 TPI Conference & Field Day Forecast 2022 Marketing Tips & Techniques

... And Much More

Cover: The scenery is stunning at SelecTurf, Inc. Photo courtesy of SelecTurf, Inc. TURF NEWS Vol. 46 No. 1 January/February 2022 Published by Turfgrass Producers International 444 E. Roosevelt Road #346 Lombard, IL 60148 U.S. & Canada Tel: 800-405-8873 International Tel: 1-847-649-5555 Fax: 1-847-649-5678 Email: info@TurfGrassSod.org Website: www.TurfGrassSod.org TPI Contact Information Executive Director Casey Reynolds, PhD creynolds@TurfGrassSod.org Membership & Marketing Manager Allie Shriver ashriver@TurfGrassSod.org Advertising Sales/Classified Ads Geri Hannah ghannah@TurfGrassSod.org Co-Editors Steve & Suz Trusty stevetrusty@TurfGrassSod.org suztrusty@TurfGrassSod.org Art Director Jane Tomlinson jane@inkumbrella.com Director of Meetings Liz Lonsbrough liz@lsquaredevents.com Policy Consultant Jonathan Moore jonathanm494@gmail.com Editorial Advisors John Sorochan, PhD University of Tennessee (warm-season grasses) sorochan@utk.edu Aaron J. Patton, PhD Purdue University (cool-season grasses) ajpatton@purdue.edu Turf News is published bi-monthly (January/ February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/December) with a $25 subscription fee from Membership dues, by Turfgrass Producers International 444 E. Roosevelt Road #346, Lombard, IL 60148 Periodical postage paid at Jefferson City, MO POSTMASTER Please send address changes to Turf News 444 E. Roosevelt Road #346, Lombard, IL 60148 USPS no. 003 255; ISSN 0899-417K Canadian Post: Publications agreement No. 1479148

IN THIS ISSUE FEATURE ARTICLES

FOCUS: Marketing Tips & Techniques

10 TPI President Jim Keeven—Growing the Legacy Jim stepped into his new role as TPI President on January 1, focused on the goal of growing the legacy— for his faith, family, business, association, and industry.

20 TPI 2022 International Education Conference & Field Day Make your plans now to take advantage of all that is going on in the San Diego area February 14-17.

30 Meet the Field Day Host—American Sod Farms Get to know the Southern California surroundings and the story behind the site of the 2022 Field Day. 34 Forecast 2022—Clearing Skies; Chance of Showers Phillip M. Perry again looks at the year ahead and summarizes the outlook from various sources.

40 Marketing Tips & Techniques—Looking Back Sod producers adapted their marketing outreach due to the impacts of Covid-19.

42 Marketing Tips & Techniques—Looking Ahead Check out tips on using your website to highlight the environmental and psychological/emotional benefits of natural grass.

44 McCall Sod Farm’s Business Remains Strong After 54 Years This farm, which started small in 1967, has grown to 1,300 acres in the Florida Panhandle.

48 Introducing TPI Future Leaders Fellowship TPI announces its newest members-only program to help build industry leaders.

50 TPI is Working with the U.S. EPA on 2022-2026 Strategic Plan TPI is making sure that sod production is represented throughout the various goals of the EPA strategic plan.

52 Rooted in Research—Polycultures, Bluegrass Billbugs, Endophytes, Overseeding, and More!

Dr. Bigelow dives deep into turf research highlighting a number of ways to control turf insect problems.

54 Sod Checkoff Spotlight: The Growing Importance of Sustainability Sustainability is increasingly being used by consumers in making purchasing decisions. This article highlights how the Sod Checkoff program could help U.S. sod producers better tell their story to grow their business.

58 Giant’s Logan Ryan: NFL Needs to do Away with Turf Fields Another NFL player speaks on why so many NFL players are tired of playing on artificial turf.

59 Health Insurance Plans Available for TPI Members—Beginning February 2022 TPI partners with an insurance broker specializing in association management benefit plans.

DEPARTMENTS President's TURF…...…..................…………2 Executive Director's TURF …...................... 4 TPI News…………………….…................…6 The Lawn Institute News ……......................8 Association Updates....................................57 Happenings.......................................60 & 62 Turfgrass Industry News ................. 64 & 66

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

Classified Ads.........................................70 Advertisers Index.....................................71 Welcome New & Returning Members......71 Turfgrass Industry Calendar..................72

BONUS TLI Helpful Hints….............................9 Weather Watch…................................68

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2021

PRESIDENT’S TURF

TPI Board of Trustees Officers

Come Share the Benefits

Jim Keeven

I’m honored to serve as President of TPI and thank you for the opportunity to join with an executive committee, board, and staff that are incredibly dedicated to working on your behalf. The knowledge and experience this group shares to achieve the best results for the membership, association, and industry is remarkable and has earned my highest respect.

TPI has given me so much personally through the relationships that I’ve made over the years. Some of the people that I met when we were kids, attending TPI conferences and conventions with our parents, have become lifelong friends. Some relationships have come through conversations with other sod producers during TPI field days and events. Still other relationships have developed through working together on committees and the board. The initial connection through our shared interest in the natural grass industry and the association that supports it creates a common bond that encourages these relationships to strengthen and grow.

If that were the only benefit of becoming an active TPI member, it would be well worth the investment. But there’s so much more you’ll gain professionally.

TPI strives to promote and protect the natural grass industry through advocacy and efforts in regulatory affairs. 2021 has been an outstanding year for TPI and its membership in this area. We’ve had many successes, from getting sod farmers qualified for Covid-19 relief funds through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), to having sod listed in the definition of agricultural commodities with the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration which protected and renewed important exemptions for sod farms. These were both big wins for our industry.

TPI is always looking ahead at the next challenge to the natural grass industry.

Our Executive Director Dr. Casey Reynolds is monitoring EPA reviews of plant protectants labeled for use in sod production. Current proposed label changes will affect at least seven different pesticides commonly used on our farms and there are plans to review labels for at least 78 others between now and 2026. Dr. Reynolds will work hard to protect these products and will keep the membership informed on any changes from the EPA. TPI is a dynamic, forward-thinking association. The next generation is becoming more involved in committees and on the board and for 2022, Diane Mischel joins the executive committee in the role of Secretary/Treasurer. Just announced is an exciting new initiative, TPI Future Leaders Fellowship, that will bring new and current leaders in the natural grass industry together for an immersive learning opportunity. Participants will develop new skills, enhance existing leadership characteristics, and build new relationships and networks for idea sharing. TPI also welcomes a new international board member for 2022, Albrecht Knigge of Pattensen, Germany. In addition, we will strive to keep TPI truly international by strengthening our current relationships and developing new relationships abroad.

President Jim Keeven SelecTurf, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-573-634-3444 jim@selecturfsod.com Vice President Bob McCurdy McCurdy Farms - U.S.A. +1-731-692-3515 mccurdysodfarms@gmail.com Secretary-Treasurer Diane Mischel DeBuck’s Sod Farm, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-810-653-2201 office@debucksodfarm.com Past President Steve Griffen Saratoga Sod Farm, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-518-664-5038 steve@saratogasod.com Executive Director Casey Reynolds, PhD Turfgrass Producers International – U.S.A. +1-847-649-5555 creynolds@TurfGrassSod.org Trustees Dan Huggett Columbus Turf Nursery – U.S.A. +1-740-983-6580 danielh@columbus-turf.com Albrecht Knigge Rasenland – Germany 495 101 915361 knigge@rasenland.de Larry LeMay A-G Sod Farms, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-559-289-2302 llemay@agsod.com Lindy Murff Murff Turf Farm, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-281-328-2812 lmurff@murffturf.com Ron Schiedel Greenhorizons Group – CANADA +1-519-778-7500 ron@greenhorizonssod.com Cliff Stewart STEC Equipment, Inc. +1-864-225-3666 cliff@stecequipment.com Wade Wilbur Sod Shop – U.S.A. +1-913-814-0044 wade@sodshops.com

Warm Regards,

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TPI Turf News January/February 2022

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S TURF Welcome to 2022!

Casey Reynolds, PhD

The new year is upon us. As I look back onto 2021 it seems like quite a blur. Where did 2020 stop and 2021 begin? It feels like maybe for me it was around July or August. That is about when meetings picked back up, and in the brief six months left in last year, I visited ten states to speak at conferences and gather with the industry again. One common theme I heard at all of these events was how nice it was to see everyone, and that was certainly the case for me as well.

Another item we are excited to launch is access to group health insurance for TPI members in no less than 38 U.S. states. There is more information to come, but we hope that this will be just one more benefit that we can provide to our members. I am not exaggerating when I say that I think almost daily about what we at TPI can be doing to increase member benefits and value. Stay tuned for more on this to be announced in San Diego and through member communications in early 2022.

We’re all looking forward to the TPI 2022 International Education Conference & Field Day in San Diego in February and we hope to see you there. We have an exciting slate of speakers lined up on leadership, vision, standing up for your industry, government affairs, labor challenges, and more.

Finally, as we head into the new year, I want to thank our outgoing TPI Board Members for their service and congratulate our new board members and officers on their appointments. Thank you to our many members as well who join, renew, and support TPI from all over the world.

We truly appreciate what you do for TPI and our industry.

I wish you all the best in the coming year!

We of course also have our usual trade show and Field Day where you can visit with our many sponsors who so generally support TPI each and every year. In addition, we have some exciting new things on the agenda such as a Casino Night fundraiser for The Lawn Institute (TLI) and a Food Truck Rodeo for Field Day! A couple of other new items for 2022 will be formally announced in detail at the conference, but a little sneak preview here on one of them is that we have completed the new edition of Sod As Agriculture. This guide is a list of federal and state rulings that affirm sod’s status as agriculture so that our members can use it to protect important exemptions locally, nationally, or internationally. It isn’t too uncommon for a TPI member to call me and state that some local official or entity in their area is claiming sod is not agriculture, and this handy guide can certainly be used to show that sod is in fact an agricultural product. Be on the lookout for this in your mailbox in 2022!

Cheers,

Thank you to our many members as well who join, renew, and support TPI from all over the world. We truly appreciate what you do for TPI and our industry.

Please follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

@TPITurfTalk @TheLawnInstitute

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@TurfgrassProducersInternational @TheLawnInstitute

@TheLawnInstitute

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

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TPI NEWS

MARK TO WHAT YOUR KNOW CALENDAR TPI LAUNCHES FUTURE LEADERS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM TPI launches Future Leaders Fellowship Program. This exciting new program will bring new and current industry leaders together for an immersive 24-month program. Please see the article beginning on page 48.

Want to learn more? Contact Allie Shriver at ashriver@TurfGrassSod.org or 847-737-7631.

TPI MEDIA KITS NOW AVAILABLE The 2022 TPI Media Kit is now available. Please contact Geri Hannah at 847-649-5555 or ghannah@ TurfGrassSod.org. The full media kit can be found at https://issuu.com/tpiturfnews/docs/tpi_media_kit_ updated_2022_2_

TPI WORKING WITH USDA ON CROP INSURANCE FOR SOD Interested in Crop Insurance? TPI is working with the U.S. Farm Service Agency to develop potential crop insurance plans specific to sod production. If you are interested in learning more or willing to serve on an exploratory committee, please contact Dr. Casey Reynolds at CReynolds@TurfGrassSod.org or 847-737-1846 to learn more.

FOLLOW TPI AND TLI ON SOCIAL MEDIA Turfgrass Producers International

The Lawn Institute

Twitter: @TPITurfTalk

Twitter: @TheLawnInstitute

Facebook: @TurfgrassProducersInternational

Facebook: @TheLawnInstitute Instagram: @TheLawnInstitute

FULL U.S. SOD CHECKOFF PROGRAM TEXT ONLINE The full text of the U.S. Sod Checkoff Program proposal is now live at www.SodCheckoff.org/Resources.

Read the full order here to learn more about this initiative and upcoming referendum.

LEARN MORE AT A MEETING NEAR YOU Want to hear more about the proposed U.S. Sod Checkoff program? See the Turf Industry calendar on page 72 of this issue or visit www.SodCheckoff.org for a list of upcoming events.

You can also contact Dr. Casey Reynolds at CReynolds@TurfGrassSod.org or 847-737-1846 to schedule an event near you!

FEATURE YOUR INTERESTING WORK ON TLI WEBSITE Do you have high-resolution photos of your seed or sod in home lawns? We’d love to feature your farm and products on the NEW TLI website. Please submit any images to CReynolds@TurfGrassSod.org and include the species and variety name, your farm’s name, and the city or location of the lawn.

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TPI Turf News January/February 2022

TPI NEWS

WHAT TO KNOW

TPI WORKING WITH EPA ON PROPOSED STRATEGIC PLAN TPI is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the proposed 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan to make sure that sod farmers are included in important initiatives. See page 50 of this issue to learn more.

GET YOUR TPI EXHIBITOR PROSPECTUS AND ATTENDEE BROCHURE The 2022 TPI International Education Conference & Field Day Exhibitor Prospectus and Attendee Brochure are now available! Visit www.TurfGrassSod.org/events or contact TPI staff to learn more!

WHAT TO MARK YOUR KNOW CALENDAR 2022 FEB 14-17 TPI 2022 International Education Conference & Field Day San Diego, CA

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What could be better than gathering with old friends and meeting new ones by the beautiful waters of Coronado Bay at Loews Coronado Bay Resort for the 2022 International Education Conference? Combine that with the Field Day hosted by American Sod Farms nestled in the San Pasqual Valley in nearby Escondido.

Take advantage of all this combined with excellent educational sessions, opportunities to see the latest and best from your suppliers, and catch up on industry happenings. Let’s all get together in the San Diego area February 14-17. Get more details from the articles starting on page 20 and ending on page 33.

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

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THANK YOU TO ALL 2021 DONORS The Lawn Institute sincerely thanks ALL members that have already donated to The Foundation in 2021. In recognition of the Forever Green, Platinum Patron, Gold Benefactor, Green Partner, and 500 Club members, the lists below recognize those who donated as of 12/1/2021.

FOREVER GREEN/LEGACY GIVING Hank & Mary Kerfoot (Modern Turf) For more information go to: www.TheLawnInstitute.org/page/forevergreen/

PLATINUM PATRON/over $10,000 Heritage Turf, Inc—Ron Nixon

GOLD BENEFACTOR/$5,000-$9,999 Shamrock Turf Nurseries, Inc.—Mark Johnson

GREEN PARTNER/$1,000–$4,999 Cameron Financial—Darryl Yochem Coombs Sod Farms, LLC—John Coombs Coosa Valley Turf Farms, LLC—Don Coyle DeBuck's Sod Farm of NY, Inc.—Greg DeBuck Emerald View Turf Farm—Eddie Keeven Jasperson Sod Farm—Randy Jasperson Jasperson Sod Farm—Ryan Menken JB Instant Lawn, Inc.—Mark Tribbett Jonathan Green & Sons, Inc.—Barry Green Laytonsville Landscaping, Inc.—Doug Lechlider Locus Agricultural Solutions—Walter Hechenbliekner McCurdy Sod Farms, LLC—Bob McCurdy Newsom Seed, Inc.—Allen Bohrer Saratoga Sod Farm, Inc.—Steve Griffen SelecTurf Inc.—Jim Keeven Trebro Manufacturing, Inc.—Gregg Tvetene Turf Merchants, Inc. —Nancy Aerni Turf Mountain Sod, Inc.—Linda Bradley Turf Producers Association—Jenny Carritt Woerner Farms—Graham Simmons

500 CLUB/$500—$999 A & W Southern Sod Farm—William Head Aqua Yield—Clark Bell Barenbrug USA—Micah Gould Bethel Farms—Will Nugent Central Turf Farms, Inc.—Herman Wittig DeBuck’s Sod Farm, Inc.—Diane Mischel DG Turf Farm—James Gibson DMG Turf, Inc.—Clay Gardner Eagle Lake Professional Landscape Supply—Eric Heuver Emerald View Turf Farm—Matt Keeven Evergreen Turf—Jimmy Fox H & E Sod—Darin Habenicht Harmony Outdoor Brands—Mike Pope Heartland Turf Farms—Tom Keeven, Jr. Kogelmann’s Creek-Side Sod Farm—Charlene Kogelmann Magnum—Steven Dover McPheeter’s Turf, Inc.—William McPheeter Modern Turf, Inc.—Hank Kerfoot Oakwood Sod Farm, Inc.—Gary Wilber Oregon Turf & Tree Farms—Tom DeArmond Pine Island Turf Nursery, Inc.—Chip Lain Prime Sod—Ryan Thomas R & R Products—Tom Rogers R.B. Farms, LLC—Robbie Brady Reid Sod Farm—Randall Reid Rolawn Limited—Paul Dawson Royal Sod Farms, LLC—Brian Shufelt Sod Solutions—Tobey Wagner Sporting Valley Turf Farms—Matt Wilmer Summit Seed – Profile Products—Ron Edwards Sumter Sod—Chip Block Thomas Turfgrass—Emory Thomas Todd Valley Farms, Inc.—Wayne Thorson Tri-Turf Sod Farms, Inc.—Jason Pooler Tulsa Grass & Sod Farms, Inc.—Richard Stunkard Valley Irrigation—Will Sheets Vandemark Sod Farms—Trevor Vandemark Virginia Beef Corp—William Brockett West Coast Turf—John Foster Winstead Turf Farms, Inc.—Bobby Winstead

For more information on how you can support TLI and make a donation go to: www.TheLawnInstitute.org/ and click on SUPPORT TLI. Contributions help support tufgrass research, education, scholarships, and the campaign to promote natural grass. Donations made in the calendar year will receive personal recognition in our publications and in The Lawn Institute booth at the following levels:

FOREVER GREEN/LEGACY GIVING

PLATINUM PATRON/OVER $10,000

GREEN PARTNER/$1,000–$4,999

GOLD BENEFACTOR/over $5,000

500 CLUB/$500—$999

Helpful Hints from The Lawn Institute can be copied to hand out to your customers.

To obtain a pdf version to copy for handouts just contact Turf News co-editor Steve Trusty at stevetrusty@TurfGrassSod.org.

Then print and share with your customers—it’s free!

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TPI Turf News January/February 2022

HELPFUL HINTS HINTS HELPFUL HELPFUL HINTS FROM THE THE LAWN LAWN INSTITUTE INSTITUTE FROM FROM THE LAWN INSTITUTE RUNOFF REDUCTION A 5,000 square foot natural grass lawn has the potential to capture around 2,000 gallons of rainwater before runoff occurs on sandy-loam soil, and up to 27,000 gallons of rainwater before runoff occurs on sandy soil. The thatch alone on a 5,000 square foot lawn can capture 500 gallons of rainfall before runoff occurs.

As urban and suburban areas grow, so too does the amount of impervious surfaces from roads, parking lots, roofs, houses, and more. This puts an increasing amount of pressure on parks, natural areas, urban forests, open space, and lawns to capture rainfall and reduce stormflow into nearby watersheds.

Not only do plants reduce stormflow, but did you know that they also cleanse it? Rapid urbanization increases the variety and amount of pollutants that can be found in water. As rainfall hits impervious services, it picks up various urban pollutants such as petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, industrial discharge, sediment, road salts, heavy metals, chemicals from cars and trucks, and more. Grass lawns combat this by providing ecosystem services including water filtration, sediment reduction, runoff control, flood control, and reduction in point and non-point source pollution.

A recent study of a typical metropolitan area with a population of 407,000 people demonstrates that low-density, residential lots with a range of 50 to 80 percent vegetation, including lawns, provided the greatest overall infiltration among various land-cover classes. In the same study as above, open spaces such as city parks, golf courses, and cemeteries comprised of lawn grasses were the second highest land-cover class in their ability to regulate urban runoff.

The presence of natural grass has been shown to reduce runoff and soil losses from erosion from 6 to 18 times greater than bare soil. This is because the complex system of grass leaves, stems, and thatch creates hydraulic resistance to lateral water flow, which increases surface residence time and infiltration into soil, thereby reducing runoff velocity and amount. Grass leaves also dissipate a large amount of the energy of falling raindrops, thus slowing the rate of runoff flow. Below-ground, the extremely dense and fibrous root system of grass lawns act as a biological filter, trapping and removing non-point source pollutants before they enter groundwater supplies.

So, next time you see a nice rainfall hitting the lawn just think about not only how good it is for the grass, but how good it is for keeping things on the grass as well!

Green infrastructure, including lawns, takes advantage of natural plant processes such as infiltration, evaporation, and transpiration to keep water and pollutants out of stormflow and allow it to enter the natural water cycle.

Perennial grasses and their fibrous root systems are some of the most effective species of plants at fracturing compacted, mineral soils and depositing organic carbon through photosynthesis. As they do this, they naturally increase the amount of pore space in soils capable of holding oxygen and water.

For more information on lawn care and helpful “How to” tips, visit The Lawn Institute at: www.TheLawnInstitute.org.

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

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TPI PRESIDENT JIM KEEVEN— GROWING THE LEGACY

By Suz Trusty Jim Keeven stepped into his new role as President of Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) on January 1, 2022, ready and able to take the helm of the association that has been part of his life since childhood. Keenly aware of the personal and professional benefits it offers, his goal is to grow the legacy of the association by increasing awareness of its relevance in the natural grass industry and growing its membership. He is growing a family legacy as well. Jim is the third Keeven brother to serve as TPI President. Tom served in 2001-2002 and Ed, Jr. served in 2014-2015.

The Legacy Takes Root It all began in 1951, when Edwin and Vivienne Keeven started installing sod in Florissant, MO, as Ed Keeven Sod Co., Inc. As the business grew, the Keevens decided to become growers as well. In 1963, Ed and Viv moved to O’Fallon, MO, and started a 120-acre turfgrass farm.

During that time, the Keeven family was growing, too, reaching a total of eight. It was an even balance, with four girls—Vivian, Barbara, Judy, and Jeanne—and four boys— Ed, Jr., Tom, Marty, and Jim. “I’m the youngest,” says Jim. “The spoiled one according to all my siblings. But being ‘the baby’ didn’t exempt me from working in the fields during the summer, in the morning before school, and again after school. There was always grass to mow and we were still moving irrigation by hand. We joke that’s why my Dad and Mom had so many kids. They wanted more workers.”

Jim reports his parents were even more than great role models, setting high standards, they were excellent teachers and mentors. “We all knew what was expected of us.

Whatever the task, wherever you were, you did it, and you did it right.”

This photo, taken in February of 2017 during TPI’s 50 Year Anniversary Celebration, shows Vivienne Keeven with three of her sons, all TPI Presidents. (From left to right: Jim, Eddie, Vivienne, and Tom)

Faith has always been a huge part of the family dynamics.

Jim says, “Mom and Dad laid a good foundation. As a big Catholic family, and proud of it, we were always active in church. No matter how demanding the business was, we didn’t work on Sundays. That was the day for family

Jim, and his wife Kathy, are co-owners of SelecTurf, Inc., located on the outskirts of Jefferson City, Missouri. Though the city is the state capital, its population is only 45,000. Jim says, “It still has the small town feel and we like it that way.”

Jeff City is just 30 miles south of Columbia, the region’s business hub, and home of the University of Missouri. The location provides good access to their marketing area, which Jim says, “Is actually pretty small—Jeff City, Columbia, and Lake of the Ozarks—about 350,000 to 400,000. We do ship some sod to Kansas City, but the distance makes it harder for us to compete in that market.”

The headquarters of SelecTurf, Inc., has the American Flag proudly displayed.

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TPI Turf News January/February 2022

and church, for reminding us to count our blessings and remember we owe it all to the Lord.”

Ed and Viv also were smart and forward-thinking businesspeople, always open to new ideas and developing strong networking connections within the community and through the American Sod Producers Association (which was renamed Turfgrass Producers International in 1994).

Like so many TPI families, the Keevens planned their time off around the association’s conventions and conferences.

Jim says, “That was our summer vacation. Dad and Mom bought an RV and we’d all pile in spending a week or more driving to the convention and seeing lots of different states along the way. We’d meet up with the kids of other sod growers and many became lifelong friends. The summer meeting in Toronto, Canada, in July 1972, was the first convention that I remember. We stayed in the RV Park in Burleigh Falls and the fishing was tremendous.”

By 1973, Ed Keeven Sod Co., Inc., had grown to nearly 400 acres and the company changed its focus. Ed and Viv dissolved the installation business to commit their time solely to growing and selling top quality turfgrass.

As part of their long-range planning, Ed and Viv developed an interesting concept to ensure their children’s higher education. Jim reports, “All eight of us started drawing a paycheck at age 12. Three-quarters of each of our paychecks went into one college fund to cover our college costs. It was a way for the turf farm to fund our college educations balanced by the write off as employees.”

Kathy and Jim—Setting the Stage As kids, Kathy and Jim lived just three miles apart, but went to different schools. Though each knew of the other’s family, they didn’t meet personally until both were 16.

Kathy’s Dad farmed nursery stock, growing Yews, and he also delivered drywall. Kathy tells this family story. On the way to church, their car broke down right in front of the Keeven’s farmhouse. Her Dad walked up and talked to Jim’s Dad who said just take my car. Ed Sr. pulled their car up to his shop and had it fixed by the time Kathy’s family got back from church. That’s just what good neighbors did.

Jim says, “Kathy and I started dating shortly after we met, then took some time off in the relationship. By the time we were 18, we were back together.”

The fall following high school graduation, Jim headed to the University of Missouri in Columbia to study agricultural economics. He says, “I’ve only had two jobs in my life, the turf farm and working in the ag department while I was in college.” He did not finish that degree.

“After two years there, I thought I knew it all and wanted to work full-time. Looking back, I wish I had finished. It’s not so much the education you get in the classroom as the education you get from the college experience.”

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

Jim and Kathy Keeven make a great team.

The Power of Three Jim came back to the farm at 20. When his Dad asked what his plans were, Jim said he wanted to be in the turf business. Ed, Jr. (Eddie), twelve years older than Jim, and Tom (Tommy), seven years older, had already been buying into the business and had some ownership.

At that point, Ed and Viv had no more college education to fund and decided to pursue retirement a bit earlier than they had originally planned. Jim says, “They decided that once I had invested enough money in the company to get equal to Eddie and Tommy, they would sell the company completely. Dad thought about slowly backing out, but the lawyer told him it needed to be an arm's-length deal.

Continuing to come to work and being funded by the company is just cutting back, not retirement.”

In 1984, the three brothers, Eddie, Tommy, and Jim, bought the turfgrass farm from their parents and Ed Keeven Sod Co., Inc. began operations as Emerald View Turf Farms. Jim was just 21. That also was the year he and Kathy married, beginning their future together. And, while Jim says, “She puts up with a lot from me without a doubt,” it’s obvious they make a great team.

During that first year, the brothers realized they would need to expand to support the three families. Their options were to get bigger in O’Fallon or seek out new locations.

“In their retirement, Dad and Mom were spending time down at the Lake of the Ozarks, where they had a cabin,” says Jim. “They suggested that would be a good market for sod, and when we agreed, Dad started exploring for land for us. He found a farm in mid-Missouri, on Highway 63, just outside of Jefferson City.”

In 1985, the brothers determined expanding Emerald View Turf Farms to that site was the right thing to do. Jim says, “Since Eddie and Tommy had both started their families, 11

neighbor just down the road lets us park it there as long as we need to.” With subsequent flooding, they’ve learned the water will be slow to recede, typically covering the fields for at least three weeks. “The grass can’t come back from that,” says Jim. “Replanting depends on the time of year. If it’s June or July, we can get some warm-season grasses going.

We can’t plant the cool-season grasses until September and it’s at least nine to ten months after that before we can harvest. So floods really do set you back.”

Working together helped balance the challenges, according to Jim. “Tommy and Eddie and I were operating as one company. So our Jeff City site could stay in business by sourcing the sod I needed from them and not cost us too much.”

The farm just outside Jefferson City, Missouri, is in a beautiful setting, on great river bottom land, but is sometimes too close to the water.

and Kathy and I were just beyond the newlywed stage, we were the logical choice to pioneer a second location for the company. So, in 1986, we moved to Jefferson City.”

They started with 100 acres. “It was just the two of us and one other employee,” says Jim. “We were blessed in what we were about to do. Starting from scratch, we were working on a shoestring, with used equipment from the other farm, working as hard and smart as possible, and making do. We got a mobile home, living in the front and setting up the office in the back. Kathy ran the office and occasionally worked in the field when needed.”

On the River Bottom Highway 63 runs through the flood plain. The farm was on the river bottom—a blessing and a curse. It had great soil, flat topography, and was close to water. “But sometimes we’re too close to water,” says Jim. “We’ve survived five major floods since we’ve been here and four of those flood events are among the top ten highest river levels in Jeff City.”

The first flood hit in 1987. Jim had been told by the gentleman they bought the farm from that if the river rose over the levy, they’d have about two days before the water reached them. “I told our employees to go home that night and come back first thing in the morning,” he says. “Eddie and Tommy were coming to help then, too. Kathy and I woke up in the morning, after only six hours of sleep, with water in the driveway and about a foot of water under the trailer. We pulled the trailer off its pad in knee deep water, moved it to higher ground closer to the river, and put it on blocks about six feet up to keep it dry. Dad came up to help us, too. Working together, we were able to save all the equipment, but we lost all the grass.”

That first flood taught them a lot, reports Jim. “Now if the river threatens, we get the equipment out right away. A 12

Working together as one company, the three brothers could source the sod they needed from each other, which helped balance the challenges when a single farm was flooded.

By 1989, Emerald View Turf Farms had rebounded well and was ready for more expansion. The brothers found a site near Columbia, Illinois, and Tom and his family moved there to begin their third location.

Flooding hit the Jeff City site again in 1989, but again the brothers worked through it. The worst flooding occurred in 1993, when all three of Emerald View’s farm sites were flooded and lost all their grass. Jim says, “That was our hardest hit. To keep operating, we were buying grass wherever we could find it.

I was buying from Kansas City; Eddie was buying from Peoria, Illinois; and Tommy was buying from Indiana.”

Flooding hit Jeff City again in 1995 and 100 percent of that farm’s grass was lost. Jim says, “At that point, Kathy and I looked at each other and said this is crazy. Why are we doing this thing? And then we jumped right in to start the cleanup. This time, with our two other locations not impacted, we could source the sod needed for Jeff City from both O’Fallon and Columbia to reduce our overall costs and keep operating.”

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

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And though those floods were costly, stressful, and challenging, Jim says, “I hate to dwell on the floods because we’ve been blessed to come through all of them.”

For 27 years the three brothers ran together with over 1,500 acres in three locations operating under one company. As the second generation, that was a milestone worthy of pride. Over those years, Emerald View Turf Farms became one of the most successful and well-known sod farms in the Midwest.

Dividing the Company Without Dividing the Family “With the third generation coming up, we needed to take a look at the future,” Jim reports. “When you’re buying into a company, you’re pretty focused on making payments and don’t look ahead much at things like the succession planning. We didn’t have things structured as well for that as they should had been.”

Still, each of the brothers had their own locations and were running their farms pretty much by themselves. “So, when we did the division in 2011 to make way for the third generation, the move to three different companies was relatively easy,” says Jim. “We worked very hard to divide the company and not divide the family. Did everyone get what they wanted? No. But we worked through it because remaining a strong family was so important for all of us.

I still talk to Eddie almost every day and would be doing the same with Tommy if we had not lost him to cancer in September of 2020.”

Growing SelecTurf, Inc. 2011 marked a new chapter for Jim, Kathy, and family. The history of the Keeven family is the heart and soul of SelecTurf, Inc. and the entire family is committed to continue serving Mid-Missouri with the same dedication, hard work, and love taught by Ed and Viv. Jim says, “Our land is on both sides of the four-lane highway that This aerial photo of SelecTurf shows the farm’s location on both side of Highway 63. runs from Columbia through Jeff City. For years, we were known as ‘The sod farm on Highway 63.’

When we divided the company, we almost named it that instead of SelecTurf. The original farm in O’Fallon is on a 14

SelecTurf has a little over 550 acres in turfgrass production. Jim Keeven is shown here by a pallet of sod harvested as standard rolls.

major highway, too. Dad always said that visually you’ll sell more sod than you will advertising it. When folks are ready to think about their yard, they’ll think about that great looking grass they’ve been driving past.”

SelecTurf serves all market segments—residential lawns, commercial grounds, athletic fields, golf courses, and anything in between. Their customer base has evolved over the years, with landscape contractors now 80 to 85 percent of their business, and they’ve adapted their grass production to accommodate that. They had developed a niche in sports fields and grew Bermudagrass specifically for it. Jim says, “That market has dwindled for us due to artificial turf. Tom, Jr. grows bermuda in Columbia, so if we do need it for a project, we can get it from him. That’s the beauty of dividing the farm but not family. We can help each other as needed and that benefits all of us.”

Sod producers know the transition zone is tough. As Jim says, “I can grow anything. I just can’t grow it very well throughout the entire season.” SelecTurf now has a little over 550 acres in turfgrasses. That breaks down to approximately 20 percent Zoysia, 10 percent bluegrass, and 70 percent turf-type tall fescue. Nearly all the grass fields are irrigated using Valley pivots. They also “dabble a bit” with soybeans and wheat, generally planting 50 to 60 acres primarily for rotational purposes.

SelecTurf went from 1995 to 2019 without flooding.

When the 2019 flood hit, it was less severe; leaving about 100 acres of dead grass. For the sections that were not netted, they followed their standard procedure, tilling the dead grass, sand, and silt back into the soil, and replanting at the appropriate time. Jim says, “For the sections that were netted and had no buildup of sand or silt, we bought an AGRI-Vator with seed box from First Products and reseeded into the netting. That allowed us to recapture the netting and gave us sod ready for harvest in nine months.”

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

Though Jim says nothing in their operation is “real cutting edge,” SelecTurf is quick to adopt new technology. They purchased one of the first Trebro Autostack harvesters and now have an Autostack II. “It’s just one machine, but it’s cutting all day long,” says Jim. They also have a Bucyrus AR big roll harvester. Their tractors have GPS guidance.

Jim also has devised an innovative renovation method for golf course fairways. They harvest out a 7.5-inch strip of the cool-season fairway grass, skip 18 inches, and repeat the process across the area to be renovated. They install a 7-inch strip of zoysiagrass sod, centered in the bare 7.5inch space, leaving a .25-inch space of bare ground on each side of the zoysia strip. Jim says, “The zoysia will grow together into the cool-season grass and over a period of three years infiltrate the entire fairway at a quarter of the cost of a total resodding.” The zoysia growth comes from the outside edge, so putting more edges out there provides more growth. The golf course superintendent can see the zoysia, which makes it easier to determine what it needs in water, fertilizer, or other inputs. The membership can see what they bought, so they’re happy, and even happier in three years when they have a solid zoysia fairway.

Jim says, “We modified a big roll harvester to divide a 21inch strip into three 7-inch strips during the harvesting process. Then we just line up the harvested 7-inch strips on a big roll, six strips on the roll. We unroll the strips on the fairway and physically place them by hand where we’ve cut out the existing grass. It’s a lot of hand labor, but even adding in the increased labor costs, it’s less expensive than a total resodding.”

SelecTurf owns three semis and one straight truck. Jim says, “We’re pretty fortunate. Our location is close enough to our market that our trucks can make multiple trips per day. If those are one stop drops, we sometimes can get in four or five trips.” They do sometimes hire a truck for deliveries to the Kansas City area. It’s approximately 160 miles away. “The people we’re working with can, and will, unload and place pallets for the customer just like our staff does.”

Pictured here are the second and third generations of the Keeven family.

From left to right, are Clinton and Jill Keeven, Jim and Kathy Keeven, Joe Keeven, and Kelsey and Sean Sandbothe.

Clinton’s focus on the sod farm started in grade school. He always knew he wanted to work in the business. Instead of a four-year college, he chose the highly ranked Commercial Turf and Grounds program at Linn State Technical College in Linn, MO. He then interned for eight months with Warren Bell’s turf team at BioGrass Sod Farm in Sandy, Utah, just outside Salt Lake City. Jim says, “Clint is skilled in all aspects of the production, harvest, and delivery side of the company. He leads the team to provide the best service and highest quality for our customers. Clint is married to Jill, and they have three children, James who is four, Tristan who is two, and Susannah who is one. And they recently reported they are expecting, with their fourth child due in June.”

The Third Generation Family—past, present, and future—is the core of the company and that legacy continues with the third generation. Jim says, “We are so blessed. Clinton and Kelsey, our two oldest, joined the business and are buying stock in it. Kathy and I believe they deserve the opportunity to be successful with something they have built. But we know they do need to earn it, so they appreciate its value, and that is happening now. It will be fun to watch them experience owning and running a business and to see all they will achieve.”

Jim and Kathy are thriving in the grandparent role, and their smiles show it! Pictured here, with Kathy and Jim, are the grandkids, from left to right Charlie (3), James (4), Tristan (2 - standing), Allison (5), and Susannah (1).

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

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Kelsey earned a business degree at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO. After graduation, she worked for an IT company, and then took a position with another company.

Jim says, “Though we’d been teasing her that we needed an accountant when she was attending college, it was an indepth discussion pointing out how her skills matched the needs we had in the office and the opportunities for her here, that led to her joining the turf team full time in the spring of 2013. Her responsibilities range from managing the office, sales, marketing, business development, the website, social media, and other jobs that keep our workflow running smoothly. Kelsey is married to Sean Sandbothe. They have two children, Allison who just turned five, and Charlie who turned three on November 16, 2021.”

Jim and Kathy’s youngest son, Joe, has pursued other interests. He excelled at soccer throughout high school and picked up a scholarship to play soccer at William Jewell College in Liberty, MO. He redshirted a year there and played goalkeeper for five years, while earning his business degree. Jim says, “Right after graduation he moved to Colorado to be a trout fishing guide. I admit I was a bit jealous because he did what I wanted to do when I was a kid. After a year, he determined that would be a hard way to make a living. He now lives in Kansas City and works as an account manager for Ryan Transportation.”

The SelecTurf Team With the day-to-day office operations now Kelsey’s realm, Kathy usually only needs to come in once or twice a week to pay bills and keep track of the books.

“Before Covid, most people called in their orders and we went through all the questions with them, step by step,” Jim reports. “When the shutdowns started and we went paperless, more orders came in electronically. Kelsey has convinced most of our repeat customers, especially the

landscape contractors, to order by text. It saves time for them and for us.”

Besides the four family members, SelecTurf employs seven full-time staff members. Jim and Kathy are quick to acknowledge their contributions to the business and express their appreciation of them. The SelecTurf website’s “Meet Our Turf Team” section kicks off with this, “Every member of our team is a thought leader who has made significant contributions to our farm. Each one brings a unique set of skills and expertise to our organization.”

And that section includes this statement from Kathy, “We feel so blessed to have each one of our employees. They are all hard-working, dedicated people that feel more like family than anything else. Each one of these people is an integral part of SelecTurf, Inc. and we couldn’t run the farm without them.”

In the transition zone, there are two to three months during the year when nothing is happening with the sod.

Jim says, “From the beginning, Kathy and I have believed in taking care of our people. We think it’s better for them and for us to keep them on during that downtime, so our key people work a full week year-round. We have great people, and we want to keep them, so we just do it.”

Most of that downtime has been spent working on general upkeep around the farm, and in the shop, primarily on equipment maintenance and repair. Jim reports that, this year, they’ll be trying out some options to keep the trucks running and generating income.

Finding additional personnel has been difficult in the tight labor market, with truck drivers the hardest to find.

For seasonal part-time workers, they have occasionally employed high school students, but most have so many activities like summer sports, sports camps, and band camps, they have few hours available. They’ve also tried

Most of the SelecTurf team is pictured here in front of one of the company’s trucks—which serves as a traveling billboard marketing tool, as well as a delivery vehicle.

16

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

bringing in college students from the Linn State Technical College agriculture department, for either internships or jobs, but most take golf course or sports field options. Jim says, “We’re exploring bringing in some H2A workers, but we’re not sure about that yet.”

Just one example of the website’s timesaving features for both the customer and staff is the pre-contact preparation prompter. “We will ask these questions when you order sod: What type of turfgrass do you want? How many square feet do you need? Pick-up or delivery? Date and time? Are you needing any other items: Seed, Fertilizer, Sod Pins, etc.?”

Balancing Work and Family “In a family business, you learn to care for your business not just your job,” says Jim. “As an owner, you’re involved all the time, 24/7, but you have to be careful not to let it consume you. Kathy has made sure that doesn’t happen, at times telling me, ‘Jim, sometimes you have to back away from it,’ and she’s right. So, while I’ve worked hard on our sod farm, it’s not my identity. I don’t want it to dictate who I am, but it is deeply ingrained in my life.”

He adds, “Starting a business, you’re working as many hours as you can, just to make ends meet. As you become better at what you do and more successful, you get a little more time away from work. Something I learned from Mom and Dad, and that we’ve made a point of here at the farm, is that we don’t work on Sundays.”

“We’ll Make Your World Green and Gorgeous,” is one of the catchy phrases posted on SelecTurf ’s website.

Marketing and Customer Interaction The company’s website, www.selecturfsod.com, is a key marketing tool. Jim says, “Kelsey has done a world of good with our website. It has a lot of history in it; that was really important to Kathy and me.” It’s customer friendly, providing need-to-know information in a quick-read format. It offers multiple options to get a quote or place an order online, via email, texting, or by a phone call.

The company’s mission statement is posted on the website under this heading, “Our LifeLawn Commitment to You.” It states, “We strive to exceed our customers’ expectations with top quality turfgrass and unprecedented service; to be good stewards of our land and water so that we protect them for the future; to be courteous and professional with everyone we come into contact with, so that your experience with us is memorable.”

Catchy statements pop up in multiple places. “We’ll Make Your World Green and Gorgeous.” “We are a family-run business, and we care deeply about what we do.” “Founded in 1951, we are dedicated to providing the highest level of service and quality turfgrass. Your pride is our greatest satisfaction!”

“From our fields to your lawn, we have you covered!”

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

Jim and Kathy are thriving in the grandparent role. Jim says, “Grandkids are so much fun! We are so thankful that we get to see them a lot. Spending more time with them was the draw that prompted Kathy to cut back her office hours. She has started a special 'cousins’ night,' that we love with all four of the oldest grandkids. It’s an overnight stay with movies, popcorn, and tons of giggles.”

Vivienne is doing well, he reports. “She has lived at home by herself since we lost Dad about ten years ago. She is 91 years old and as sharp as ever. Two of my sisters are almost next door to her and make sure she has everything she needs.”

Viv is still the head cook and hostess for the family Thanksgiving celebration, always held on the following Saturday. Jim reports they now rent a church hall for it because when all the kids, spouses, grandkids, and great grandkids show up, there are over 100. “Mom cooks a turkey and about 40 ducks. (She uses the Bing Crosby duck recipe she provided for the TPI cookbook years ago.) And she makes her famous potato cakes, which don’t sound good, but are so great we still fight over who gets the biggest piece. Everyone else brings a dish or two, so we end up with four or five tables filled with food. Christmas is a more casual ‘open house’ at Mom’s with family invited to come and go as it fits their plans.”

A Passion for Hunting and Fishing Jim says, “We grew up with hunting and fishing. Dad enjoyed hunting, especially for quail. When Missouri’s quail population dropped, we moved on to ducks and deer.

Mom is the family’s best at fishing, especially for bass.”

17

The three brothers teamed up again to buy land near the Mississippi River, so they’d always have a place to hunt. Gathered at that facility for the TLI Auction Deer Hunt, postponed from 2020, are from left to right, Jim Keeven, Tom Keeven, Jr., Tim Wollesen, Hank Kerfoot, Colton Wollesen, and Clinton Keeven.

Jim’s sons are hunters, too. He says, “This year, Clint, Joe, and I went elk hunting in Colorado for a week. I had done it separately with each of them, but this was the first time all together. That was special. Fishing on the Missouri River that borders our farm is great fun, too. From about 16 to 18, Clint and his buddies practically lived on that river and became so skilled at catfishing that Clint taught me how to catfish.”

Tommy, Eddie, and Jim decided years ago that they needed to buy some land to make sure they’d have a place to hunt.

They bought a place near their parent’s duck club on the east side of the state which is bordered by the Mississippi River. Jim says, “We did put a lot into it, in planting and maintenance, but it has been worth it. It’s so special to share it with friends. In early November, I spent five days there with Randy Graff and Marty Thiel of Graff ’s Turf in Fort Morgan, Colorado.”

Some of the most popular The Lawn Institute (TLI) fundraiser auction items have been the duck hunts and deer hunts contributed by the Keeven brothers. Those events are frequently combined with a dinner contributed by and prepared onsite by Hank and Mary Kerfoot of Modern Turf, Rembert, SC. The combination deer hunt and dinner auctioned off during TPI’s 2020 International Education Conference & Field Day was delayed due to Covid-19.

In late November of 2021, Tim and Colton Wollesen of Sales Midwest in Olathe, Kansas, joined the Keevens and Kerfoots for that event. Jim says, “Tim and I became good friends when we both served on the TPI Board. It’s great to have that level of friendship with someone you do business with; that’s another benefit of TPI.”

The TLI Auction Deer Hunt of 2020 was combined with an onsite dinner prepared by Hank and Mary Kerfoot. The crew gathered to take part in that event, pictured here from left to right, are Tim Wollesen, Lucy Keeven (Tom, Jr.’s daughter) Colton Wollesen, Jim Keeven, Mary Kerfoot, Eddie Keeven, Hank Kerfoot, Kathy Keeven, Tom Keeven, Jr., and Clinton Keeven.

As 2022 rolls in, Jim Keeven is focused on the goal of growing the legacy—for his faith, family, business, association, and industry—building on the strong roots of the past, meeting the challenges of the present, and welcoming the opportunities of the future.

Suz Trusty is co-editor of Turf News.

All photos courtesy of SelecTurf, Inc. and the Keeven family.

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TPI Turf News January/February 2022

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

19

2022 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

(subject to change)

7

By Allie Shriver TPI’s annual International Education Conference & Field Day for 2022 is almost here! Join us in sunny Coronado, California, February 14-17, 2022. This is our biggest networking and education event of the year.

The health and safety of all TPI members and attendees is of the upmost importance to us and we will be following all local Covid-19 guidelines.

2022 CONFERENCE PACKAGE INCLUDES: •

Access to All Educational Sessions including the Sod Farm Panel on Labor and the Sod Checkoff Q&A

• Free Monday Seminar: The Servant Leader • President’s Welcome Reception • Tuesday Kickoff Breakfast • Tuesday Lunch • Taco Tuesday Dinner in the Exhibit Hall

Attendees will enjoy new experiences, such as our Food Truck Rodeo at Field Day, and old favorites, including the Show & Tell presentations from our newest TPI Board Members.

This year’s three-day event is the first time most TPI members will reconnect in person and we’re pulling out all the stops..

2022 CONFERENCE OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: Are you and your family arriving to California early? Join TPI on one of our fabulous excursions! Choose between three of San Diego’s most exciting adventures: • Sail the San Diego Bay • Explore the USS Midway • Kayak in La Jolla Sea Caves

• Tuesday Drink Ticket provided by Magnum • Field Day Registration & Transportation provided by Sod Solutions. Field Day Lunch sponsored by Brouwer Kesmac • Wednesday Women in Turf Reception sponsored by Turf Producers Association, Barenbrug, and Brouwer Kesmac • Thursday Inspirational Breakfast with Sarah Frey • Sarah Frey Book Signing of The Growing Season • Thursday Lunch in the Exhibit Hall 20

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

2022 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

(subject to change)

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7:30 am - 8:30 am

Breakfast

8:30 am - 10:00 am

Keynote & Book Signing

Opening Workshop The Servant Leader, Dr. Bill Withers

10:00 am - 10:: 0 am

Break

10:10 am - 11:00 am

Challenges and Solutions to Find Labor: Sod Farm Panel

11:00 am - 11:10 am

Break

11:10 am - 12:00 pm

TPI Annual Business Meeting

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Exhibit Hall Open Lunch Served in Hall

3:30 pm - 4:45 pm

6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

The Lawn Institute Casino Night sponsored by Trebro $ONKEY

;<,:+(@ -,)9<(9@ 7:30 am - 8:30 am

Conference Kick-off Breakfast

8:30 am - 10:00 am

Keynote With Vision There is Hope

Sarah Frey

2:00 pm - 2:50 pm

Herbicide Resistant Dr. Jay McCurdy

Bruce Vincent

2:50 pm - 3:00 pm

Break

10:00 am - 10:10 am

Break

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

10:10 am - 11:00 am

Research Update: Learn the Latest Science on Improving Sod Tensile Strength

Show & Tell Sessions and Closing Remarks

Dr. Aaron Patton

11:00 am - 11:10 am 11:10 am - 12:00 pm

Break Sod Check Off Program

Incoming Members of TPI Board of Trustees * Optional Activity Requiring Separate Registration.

Schedule is preliminary and subject to change.

Dr. Casey Reynolds

12:00 pm - 1:15 pm

Lunch

1:15 pm - 1:50 pm

Sod Checkoff Q&A

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

FREE TO ALL

ATTENDEES!

Dr. Casey Reynolds

ASarah TPI Favorite Frey BookReturns Signing

The Relationship Era

Dr. Billup Withers is returning Pick your free copy of to TPI in 2022 for a general session and a FREE pre-conference seminar! Return to The Growing Season and meet theSarah hotelFrey afterafter oneher of our wonderful optional activities on Keynote Monday, to hear Dr. Withers on how to be a sessionFebruary Thursday14, Morning. servant Sarahleader.

Frey is an American

Dr. Bill Withers

3:00 pm - 3:15 pm

Break

3:15 pm - 4:00 pm

TPI Government Relations Dr. Casey Reynolds

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Break

5:00 pm - 5:30 pm

President’s Welcome Reception in Exhibit Hall

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Taco Tuesday in the Exhibit Hall with Bar provided by Magnum

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Coffee and Bus Pick Up for Field Day provided by Sod Solutions

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Field Day at American Sod Farms includes lunch provided by Brouwer Kesmac

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Women in Turf Reception sponsored by Turf Producers Association, Barenbrug, and Brouwer Kesmac

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

and has entrepreneur.

Dr.farmer Withers nearly three decades of management and She is CEO and owner Freybusiness and education. He leadership experience inof both Farms, which she founded at focuses on the areas of public relations, customer service, age sixteen. Frey Farms, organizational change, and leadership. headquartered near Orchardville, is the largest H-2A14, visa2022 employer Monday, February in Illinoispm and sells more 3:30-4:45 pumpkins any other The Servantthan Leader producer in the Dr. Bill Withers United States.

After so many organizational hiccups throughout the last couple decades, the philosophy of Servant Leadership is back in vogue across both business and non-profit sectors, and even larger companies like Southwest Airlines and Starbucks are leading the charge. Join Dr. Withers as he shares the history of this management/leadership philosophy and how it can be better implemented and measured in your organization.

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A FEW EDUCATION SESSIONS HIGHLIGHTED 2022 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (subject to change) Tuesday, February 15 8:30-10:00 am Keynote: With Vision, There is Hope Bruce A. Vincent The American environmental movement was timely and necessary—but it is fifty years old and has failed to mature beyond a three-word vision of ‘Stop Doing That.’ The public body that gives us the consent to operate is rightfully concerned about their environment. Lacking accurate background information, the public has emotion driven responses to environmental issues. With a strong foundation of reality—and a dose of humor—Vincent will discuss how we must put ourselves in the public’s shoes to understand and respect their concerns and then present society with a new vision of environmentalism based upon hope instead of fear and science instead of emotion. By leading this discussion, our social license to operate can and will be maintained.

Bruce Vincent is a third-generation logger from Libby, Montana, and co-owner of the community outreach firm Environomics. He speaks throughout the United States and the world, testifies on resource issues before Congress and has appeared on several news programs such as “60 Minutes.” His recently completed book, Against The Odds, highlights his life journey and identifies a path forward for rural America. His current activities represent a family commitment to responsible environmentalism.

Tuesday, February 15 11:10-12:00 pm Sod Checkoff Program Dr. Casey Reynolds Executive Director, TPI Members of the U.S. Natural Grass Sod Industry have put forth a research and promotion program, aka “checkoff program,” for sod that could go up for voting as soon as 2022. This session will cover the details of the program, current progress and updates, and what it could mean for the industry if passed. Agricultural research and promotion programs have a proven history of improving the market position of a commodity by expanding markets, increasing demand, conducting market and scientific research, and promoting industry initiatives and activities.

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Dr. Casey Reynolds has been the Executive Director of TPI since May 2017. 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, 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.

Tuesday, February 15 - 1:15-1:50 pm Sod Checkoff Q&A Dr. Casey Reynolds Executive Director, TPI Attend this interactive session for discussion and Q&A among sod producers and other industry stakeholders. Ask questions, provide comments, and participate in group discussions with other sod producers about the upcoming sod checkoff referendum.

Tuesday, February 15 2:00-3:00 pm The Relationship Era Dr. Bill Withers The Relationship Era is a time in our history where technology-solutions and outsourcing run rampant and the mantra many hear is “web and mobile FIRST!” Yet many of the four-star and five-star service organizations are realizing the value in hiring and training for stronger interpersonal traits and soft-skills, especially where co-workers are customer-facing. As you’ll hear from Dr. Withers, there has never been a time in recent history where quality customer service and effective stakeholder relations were at more of a premium, especially when technology is driving such significant change. Dr. Withers shares what he’s learned from his own work and research with many four- and five-star service providers, both regionally and nationally.

Attendees will: • Better understand the history, state, and future of customer and stakeholder relations • Learn the variables that drive the practices many top organizations are investing in to be successful in this space • Explore practices and solutions that organizations of any size, whether profit or non-profit, can implement.

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

A FEW EDUCATION SESSIONS HIGHLIGHTED 2022 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (subject to change) Thursday, February 17, 2022 8:30-10:00 am Keynote & Book Signing Sarah Frey CEO, Frey Farms & America’s Pumpkin Queen Hear directly from Sarah Frey on how to see past life’s imperfections and find the good even in the darkest of times. Frey Farms is a Certified Woman Owned Business founded by Sarah Frey in 1992. Headquartered in Keenes, IL, Sarah and her four older brothers operate farms and facilities in seven states. Frey Farms distributes fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the country serving the nation’s top 25 retail chains. With a mission to end food waste in the fresh produce industry, the family makes natural food products and beverages from imperfect or “ugly fruit.” They produce a line of beverages and fresh juices under the Sarah’s Homegrown and Tsamma Watermelon Juice brands.

Sarah Frey has been described by the New York Times as “the Pumpkin Queen of America.” She sells more pumpkins than any other producer in the United States. She is the author of the best-selling book, The Growing Season: How I Built a New Life–and Saved an American Farm, published by Random House in August of 2020. Sarah will serve as CoExecutive Producer of the upcoming ABC television series of The Growing Season based on her story.

Thursday, February 17, 2022 3:00-5:00 pm Show & Tell Sessions 2021 New Board Members Larry W. LeMay A-G Sod Farms, California Unlike a lot of our members, I was not born with sod running through my veins, but the love of farming was. I started working on the 85,000 acres farm my father managed at the age of thirteen. Chopping weeds turned into driving every piece of equipment on the farm to learning from our in-house farmers and agronomist how to grow seventeen different crops.

I attended and graduated from California State University, Fresno, in the spring of 1981 with a BS in Agronomy.

My first fulltime job was with Salyer American as a farm manager of 20,000 acres of mostly sandy sprinkler irrigated crops. While attending Fresno State, I met my wife of 39 years, Valerie. We have three sons, all of which are married and collectively have blessed us with three wonderful daughters and five grandchildren.

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

In 1987, I went to work for Capital Ag Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Prudential Insurance Group, as an Executive Farm Manager. I was in charge of managing, selling, and purchasing agricultural properties and assets in five western states. At my peak, I was overseeing 45,000 acres of assets.

In 1994, I was offered by and accepted a position with A-G Sod Farms where I currently work and have for the last 27.5 years. I currently, along with Joel Addink, oversee the operations of six sod farms in three states. No hobbies but I do enjoy being with family and spending quality time on our vacations to the Central Coast of California.

Ronald Schiedel Greenhorizons Sod Farms, Ontario, Canada 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 the business is currently operating with its fourth 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 and operates an architecturally designed golf course in the area named Willow Valley, where you will find a topclass bentgrass 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 and 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.

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A FEW EDUCATION SESSIONS HIGHLIGHTED 2022 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (subject to change) Show & Tell Sessions 2022 New Board Members Albrecht Knigge Rasenland, Pattensen, Germany Albrecht grew up on an arable farm in Pattensen near Hannover, Germany, which has been his family’s estate since the thirteenth century. After national service in the army, and earning a degree in agriculture in 1996, at the University of Plymouth, UK, Albrecht returned to the farm to work alongside his father in setting up the turfgrass business. It had been started with only 10 acres of turfgrass alongside the main crops of wheat, barley, and sugar beet in 1992. In the same year, the farm joined TPI (then ASPA). Since then, Albrecht and his wife Caroline have taken over the business and developed and diversified the farm.

From 2001, Albrecht set up three more turfgrass farms across Germany, together with co-owners, producing and marketing turfgrass under the “Rasenland” brand.

Additionally, he is involved in his new company, Turfcom, for the design of specialist turfgrass machinery. Albrecht is current president of the European Turfgrass Producers Association (ETP). Albrecht and Caroline are blessed with two boys and two girls aged 10, 8, 6, and 3. Albrecht enjoys hunting, ultralight flying, and skiing. His home farm will host the ETP Seminars & Turf Expo in July 2022. His entire family and staff are looking forward to welcoming sod growers and manufacturers from around the world for this event in Germany.

Lindy Murff Murff Turf Farm, Crosby, Texas Lindy still lives in Crosby, Texas, near Houston, on the same family farm where he was raised. Lindy’s father, Bill Murff, was a high school Agriculture teacher who dreamed of being a cattle rancher. In 1969, Bill started to grow sod on 10 acres to support his part-time landscaping business. Lindy, along with his siblings Scott and Renee’, operate the 3,800-acre sod farm which serves primarily the Houston Metro.

Upon receiving his degree in Agriculture Economics from Texas A & M, he began working with the family business in 1993. The farm is in its fifty-third year, and he looks forward to the challenges the future holds.

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Lindy overachieved when he married his wife, Amanda.

They have three children: Noah (18), Emma (15), and Cooper (13). Currently their kids are their focus, and their activities are what he enjoys supporting. As a child, he remembers most of the family vacations being where the TPI conferences were hosted. Grass has blessed his family, and he looks forward to continuing to promote the value that turfgrass provides to all.

Wade Wilbur Sod Shop, Lawrence, Kansas Wade is Co-Owner of Sod Shop companies in Lawrence and Wichita, Kansas, with his uncle, Ted Wilbur.

Sod Shop has two sod farm locations in Kansas as well as a landscaper supply store that sells hardscape materials.

Wade is a 2002 graduate of Kansas State University and studied Agricultural Education. In his free time, Wade enjoys hunting, boating, riding his motorcycle, attending live music events, and traveling.

AND THAT'S NOT ALL! Tuesday, February 15 10:10–11:00 am Research Update: Learn the Latest Science on Improving Sod Tensile Strength Dr. Aaron Patton Professor, Horticulture & Landscape Architecture Purdue University Thursday, February 17 10:10–11:00 am Challenges and Solutions to Find Labor: Sod Farm Panel Lynn Jacquez Principal at CJ Lake, LLC and Shawn M. Packer Principal, JPH Law 2:00–2:50 pm Herbicide Resistant Poa annua Dr. Jay McCurdy Associate Professor, Turfgrass Extension Specialist, Department of Plant & Soil Sciences, Mississippi State University TPI Turf News January/February 2022

FUN(D) GALOREOF AND SO MUCH 2022 SCHEDULE EVENTS (subjectMORE to change)

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February 14, 2022 6:30pm $

THE LAWN INSTITUTE FUN(D)-RAISING

ACCOMMODATIONS & TRAVEL

Join us Monday night, kicking off the week with a night of family friendly fundraising at The Lawn Institute Casino Night sponsored by Trebro Manufacturing & Donkey Forklifts.

Your $100 per person contribution gets you into the party, $500 in fun money, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and a drink ticket.

Proceeds go to support The Lawn Institute activities, including public relations, scholarships, and natural grass research grants.

Be sure to watch for TLI Fundraising committee members throughout the week to purchase Surprise )HSSVVUZ HUK 9HMÅL ;PJRL[Z [V RLLW [OL M\U K raising going.

THANK YOU AMERICAN SOD FARMS Pick up a cup of coffee in the hotel lobby and hop on the bus provided by Sod Solutions to Field Day Host, American Sod Farms in nearby Escondido.

NEW HOURS FOR A FULL DAY AT THE FARM :WLUK [OL KH` HT ¶ WT TLL[PUN ^P[O V\Y LZ[LLTLK exhibitors and catching up with old friends at your leisure.

HOST HOTEL Loews Coronado Bay Resort 4000 Coronado Bay Rd, Coronado, CA 92118 Hotel Reservations: 1-877-872-8559

TPI has negotiated with Loews Coronado Bay to offer [OL ZWLJPHS YVVT YH[L VM <:+ MVY ZPUNSL VY KV\ISL occupancy. All rates are subject to state and city taxes.

RESERVATIONS

Reservations must be made at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort by January 15, 2022. Please Book Early!

Once the room block is full, the rate and/or room may no longer be available, even if prior to January 15, 2022.

To reserve a room, go to www.TurfGrassSod.org and select the hotel reservation link under the event tab.

6Y JHSS [OL 3VL^Z *VYVUHKV )H` 9LZVY[ 7OVUL! /V[LS 9LZLY]H[PVUZ! Be sure to tell them you are with Turfgrass Producers 0U[LYUH[PVUHS ;70 [V YLJLP]L [OL KPZJV\U[LK YH[L

AIR FARE DISCOUNTS - NEW IN 2022!

This year, TPI has worked with some of the biggest names in air travel to provide you a Conference ([[LUKLL 6US` KPZJV\U[ VU HPYMHYL 0M `V\ HYL Å`PUN [V :HU +PLNV *( ]PH +LS[H (PYSPULZ VY <UP[LK (PYSPULZ \ZL the TPI Meeting code! Booking Instructions located at: www.TurfGrassSod.org/Events/Conference2022

NEW IN 2022 - FOOD TRUCK RODEO

Select your lunch from one of the delicious food trucks—Sponsored by Brouwer Kesmac— and head to one of the many picnic tables spread throughout the Field Day site.

Allie Shriver is membership and marketing manager for Turfgrass Producers International.

REGISTER TODAY! www.TurfGrassSod.org/events/conference2022 TPI Turf News January/February 2022

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THANK THANKYOU YOUTO TOOUR OURCURRENT CURRENTSPONSORS! SPONSORS! DIAMOND DIAMOND

PLATINUM PLATINUM

GOLD GOLD

SILVER SILVER

GREEN GREEN

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TPI Turf News January/February 2022

FEBRUARY 14-17, 2022 We're heading to California for four days of top-notch education and networking with fellow turfgrass producers and suppliers.

Don't miss Field Day at American Sod Farms!

MEET THE FIELD DAY HOST— AMERICAN SOD FARMS

By Suz Trusty

American Sod Farms, TPI’s 2022 Field Day Host, lies within the San Pasqual Valley Agricultural Preserve.

Attendees of TPI’s 2022 International Education Conference & Field Day in San Diego, California, on February 14 to 17, are in for a treat. Weather is typically sunny, with an average of only four rainy days during the month. Temperatures are generally mild, with highs of 65 degrees F and lows of 51 degrees. And there’s so much more. You’ll have an even warmer welcome from Field Day host, American Sod Farms as partners JR Wirthlin, Jeff Nettleton, and Jimmy Fox, and their entire staff have a great day in store for you.

As Fox reports, San Diego is a vacation destination for people from all over the world. “We have everything from ocean views to desert to mountains all within about 15 miles of the coast. It provides a wonderful opportunity for visitors to experience the diversity of climate and culture.

Downtown San Diego reflects the wide diversity of the people who have settled here, too, with influences of the Mexican and Italian heritages and much more. It’s a cultural melting pot, a neat place to be in business.”

Attendees will experience a snippet of that varied topography on the short trip from Coronado Bay to the Field Day site. American Sod Farms is located near Escondido in the San Pasqual Valley Agricultural Preserve that was established by San Diego County in 1964. Fox says, “As you drive into the valley, you will see other crops 30

in production such as strawberries, citrus, and avocado. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park (named the San Diego Wild Animal Park until 2010) is an 1,800-acre zoo nearby.”

In the Beginning As the company website, www.americansodfarms.com, shares in their “About” section, “American Sod Farms has a forty-year legacy in Southern California. Started in 1978

by Lieutenant Colonel Floyd Wirthlin, Sr., American Sod started off serving homeowners and contractors in the San Diego area. During the height of the housing boom, Floyd and his son, Floyd, Jr. (who goes by JR) operated farms in Escondido, South Bay, and Barstow, serving Southern California and Las Vegas with beautiful sod.”

It further notes, “American Sod has always grown stunning tall fescue sod, leading Home Depot to choose them as their main supplier in the booming San Diego market. As the farms grew, and the demand grew, American Sod began growing other types of grasses. They introduced Aloha Paspalum to the market, expanded their St. Augustine acres, and brought in Tifway 419 and Tifgreen 328 for golf courses and sports fields.”

At that point, the boom was in full swing, and the company was typically running 20 semitrucks a day. Their TPI Turf News January/February 2022

primary market was residential, with approximately 80 percent of that business going through Home Depot and Lowe’s. California was the largest tall fescue market in the world and, though American Sod was offering multiple grasses, their production was 90 percent tall fescue.

On staffing, he reports they bring in quite a few H2A workers during the summer when their season high ranges between 30 and 35 people. “Our winter crew is smaller, mainly the office staff, truck drivers, and some field personnel. We’ll be about 20 or so by Field Day.”

Then the economic downturn of 2008 hit which, in California, was combined with an extreme and extended drought. The culture changed too, with population growth and increasing water demands throughout the state. It all prompted the attack on grass as a heavy water user with restrictions placed on the amount of area that could be planted in grass and restrictions on using water for those grasses. Like so many others, American Sod cut their production, their acreage, and their staff to adjust to the changing market. And, also like so many others, as economic conditions gradually improved, the company gradually and cautiously ramped back up.

Most of the trucking is handled in-house. He says, “We’re usually running three to five trucks a day from the Escondido farm, depending on the season. We’ll hire trucks and drivers for the larger projects that need an additional six or eight truckloads.”

Teaming Up In 2016, AmSod as it was called then, teamed up with Evergreen Turf, a sports and golf oriented sod operation, to bring new varieties and technologies to SoCal. Fox says, “The last big drought was finally winding down in 2016, but we could see the writing on the wall. People were more water conscious and were making decisions that took the available natural resources into account. We needed to adapt by growing the grasses that met the demand to help conserve water. So we would need to diversify by adding more of the warm-season grasses. We also needed to broaden our customer base so that, hopefully, we can be prepared for future challenges, whether they are weather-related or tied to economic conditions. We also rebranded the name of the farm to its original name, American Sod Farms.”

Diversifying also presented some challenges. He reports there are 18 different climates within their marketing area so just determining the best grasses to grow to meet the needs of all of them was in interesting process.

Serving the Diverse Market The outreach to other customer categories has been ongoing, evolving a bit each year after 2016. Fox says, “American Sod Farms’ customer base is now about onethird box stores and residential, one-third landscape contractors, and one third golf courses and athletic fields, with the higher percentage of that third the golf courses.”

The website lists multiple services: sod installation, hand planting, mechanical planting, hydroseeding, turf and sod removal, consultation, and custom grown sod. While Fox reports they can and do provide all of those, some are only requested occasionally, and their growing relationship with the contractor market has shifted some of those services to others. He says, “We do limited removal, basically on athletic fields. We’re primarily delivery, with most of our installation focused on the larger projects.”

Fox adds, “Those 18 different climates make it more difficult for our customers to determine the right grass for their site. That choice needs to be based on the climate, the type and amount of use the grass will have, and the level of maintenance it will receive. Frequently the warm-season grasses are the best option, but sometimes a cool-season grass is the right choice. We believe it’s our job to help them make the right decision and we’re dedicated to making that happen.”

The Escondido farm is 250 acres, with 225 acres of that devoted to sod production. They have an additional 150 acres in production at a different farm site. They harvest both small rolls and big rolls. And, Fox says, “Bringing in the warm-season grasses changed how we grow, how we mow, and how we harvest.” Changing the grass mix has been a gradual process. They now grow 60 percent coolseason grasses and 40 percent warm-season grasses. They plan to bring that breakdown to 50/50 in 2022.

Fox notes most of TPI’s Field Days held in the winter have been on warm-season grasses. He says, “We will be hosting the Field Day on a tall fescue field. Sod producers from the north will be able to watch the harvesters and mowers operating on the grasses they’re used to working with. We are glad to have the opportunity to host and are really looking forward to having everyone here.”

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

American Sod Farm crews are mowing and vacuuming the fields in preparation for harvesting the sod for the Los Angeles Football Club and Petco Park.

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A Few of Their High-Profile Projects

Getting to Today

American Sod Farms work with high-profile sites also increases their visibility throughout their marketing area and has helped them grow and diversify. The team’s first high-profile project together was installing Latitude 36 bermudagrass in the Banc of California Stadium. That soccer-specific stadium was built in the Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on the former site of Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. It is the home of Major League Soccer's Los Angeles FC and future home of the National Women's Soccer League's Angel City FC.

When Covid first hit in 2020, the management team didn’t know what to expect. Fox says, “We anticipated we might be 20 or 30 percent below our original projections. Instead, about six months in, we were 10 to 15 percent ahead. We kept that same trajectory all year, and 2021 has been up again, even over 2020. In 2021, the farm was fully planted the first time in five years. We’re now short on space and don’t have room to grow anything other than sod. But we think sod is the best crop we could have, so we’re okay with that.”

The success story continues. Torrey Pines Golf Course in nearby La Jolla chose to use Latitude 36 as it prepared to host the 2021 U.S. Open Championship. Petco Park, home of Major League Baseball’s San Diego Padres, also chose Latitude 36.

One of the grasses they chose to introduce to their market for its drought tolerance was TifTuf hybrid bermudagrasses.

As the website reports, “Initial testing at UC Riverside has shown that it is not only drought tolerant, but holds its color deep into the winter …” “TifTuf was recently installed on the soccer fields for the city of San Diego and has already outperformed all other grasses.”

Bermuda is not the only warm-season grass making an impact. As the website reports, “… the city of Coronado recently tested American Sod's Aloha Paspalum. The June Gloom and high salt irrigation water made it hard to grow great grass in their parks. After a year of testing, Aloha was chosen to replace the grass in Sunset Park. The Park now looks beautiful, with a vibrant green field that holds up to dogs, kids, and salty water!”

The American Sod Farm staff manages all the sales and deliveries. JR is the main manager overseeing the growing of the grasses and the harvesting. Fox says, “JR is an icon in San Diego’s natural grass industry, well known, well liked and highly respected.”

Serving the Market Online American Sod Farms’ website was developed to meet the growing preference by customers everywhere for online shopping. It’s a user-friendly site that is set up to assist customers in selecting the right grass for their needs within the region’s climatic diversity by guiding them through the process with step-by-step questions.

Two categories of customers are listed on the website home page: Professional and Residential.

Clicking on the “Professional” heading leads to a page titled, “Commercial Sod Services,” and provides the complete listing of services offered.

Next comes this copy, “Putting the finishing touches on your vision and design is not a task taken lightly.

Construction and renovation projects require the finesse and professionalism that can only be perfected by experience. Over the years, American Sod Farms has assembled a team of some of the most experienced and knowledgeable people in the industry, helping establish us as California's premier sod and grassing contractor.

We are committed to quality product, consistency, and outstanding performance. If your project requires nothing less than perfection, choose American Sod Farms.”

These categories are listed next, each in a green action bar: Sod Varieties, Golf Course Sod, Sports Field Sod, Contractors, and Credit Application.

Opening Day at Petco Park in downtown San Diego, home of MLB’s San Diego Padres. American Sod Farms provided the sod.

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Clicking on the “Residential” heading leads to a page that starts off with these statements, “American Sod Farms produces only the finest sod grass varieties. We harvest your sod from our local California farms when you order, ensuring that the freshest and best quality grass arrives at your home.” And closes with this, “Every yard is different, and we have tried to make selecting the right variety for you as easy as possible. Please visit our sod grass varieties page to help find the right California sod for your new lawn.”

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

The Lawn Selector Tool is also designed to encourage online action. It shows up in multiple places, including on the “About Us” page. Those using the tool are guided stepby-step through a series of questions that lead them to the appropriate recommendations page. That page also offers action bars for the following options: “How to order,” “How to measure,” and “How to Install.”

Harvesting is underway at American Sod Farms.

Under the Sod Varieties action bar is a listing of each grass type offered for that category of customer. A paragraph about each individual grass variety, or grass blend or mixture, recommended for that market is followed by a close-up photo of it and a photo of it in an appropriate setting, with a chart below that describes each of the following characteristics: Texture, Color, Damage recovery, Shade tolerance, Salinity tolerance, Drought tolerance, Mowing height, and Recommended mower type.

Armed with this information, a potential customer browsing the website could opt to “Order Now,” check out the “Lawn Selecter Tool,” review the information provided on multiple topics under the Lawn Care heading, or ask a question via email or phone.

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

The “About Us” page even features a box promoting “Seasonal Lawn Care Tips: We’ll remind you when it’s time to reseed and change your irrigation schedule.” Of course, it includes an action bar to “subscribe.” There also are icons to connect via Twitter and Facebook.

Family Tradition The entire operation is focused on customer service, fulfilling the statement on their website, “American Sod Farms; family tradition with local knowledge and global technology. We have the right grass for your Southern California backyard, sports field, or golf course!”

Today, Floyd Sr's grandkids also work in the business, along with JR, carrying on their Grandpa's tradition of a manicured farm, and a well-run business. Floyd Sr.'s dedication to our country has also carried on as the company offers discounts to veterans in appreciation of their service to America.

Suz Trusty is co-editor of Turf News.

All photos courtesy of American Sod Farms.

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FORECAST 2022— CLEARING SKIES; CHANCE OF SHOWERS

By Phillip M. Perry

Businesses should benefit from a favorable operating environment in 2022 as the economy continues to grow at a healthy clip.

Although sales of goods and services are expected to decelerate from the previous year’s torrid pace, bottom line earnings should remain high. Aggressive housing activity, robust capital investment, and high employment levels should more than make up for the costs of crippled supply chains and pandemic-related labor shortages.

Clearing skies with a chance of showers. The economic forecast for 2022 promises a largely favorable operating environment for businesses of all sizes as the nation benefits from steady growth in goods and services. Tail winds include a decline in unemployment numbers, rising wages, a booming housing sector, fat corporate profits, aggressive capital investment, and generally easy capital sourcing.

“We are in the midst of an early economic recovery after the body blow of Covid-19,” says Bernard Yaros Jr., Assistant Director and Economist at Moody’s Analytics (economy.com). “Though growth will decelerate in 2022 due to fading effects from business re-openings and past fiscal stimulus, the economy will remain robust.”

The numbers tell the tale. Moody’s Analytics expects Real GDP (Gross Domestic Product) to grow at a healthy 4.3 percent in 2022. While that is a bit less aggressive than the 5.8 percent of the past 12 months, it remains decidedly sunnier than the 3.4 percent pandemic-fueled decline of 2020. (GDP, the total of the nation’s goods and services, is the most commonly accepted measure of economic growth. “Real” GDP adjusts for inflation.)

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Profits Grow Businesses tend to benefit from a healthy economy, and Moody’s Analytics expects corporate profits to increase by some 4 percent in 2022. While that figure might seem unremarkable in isolation, it represents a hefty advance over the difficult comparisons of 2021, when profits spiked 36 percent. Clearly, business owners are glad to bid adieu to the pandemic-battered 2020, when their profits declined 3 percent.

Headwinds, of course, are inevitable. And 2022 will have its own troubling mix: The peekaboo pandemic. Labor shortages. Crippled supply chains. China tariffs. Nascent inflation. An unsettled consumer.

Yet economists do not expect negatives to prevail. “While the Delta variant is continuing to do some damage, we expect this wave of the pandemic to soon subside and for any future waves to be successively less disruptive,” says Yaros. “Labor and goods shortages will ease as the domestic and global economies increasingly learn how to live in a new pandemic normal.”

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

"Headwinds, of course, are inevitable.

And 2022 will have its own troubling mix: The peekaboo pandemic. Labor shortages.

Crippled supply chains. China tariffs.

Nascent inflation. An unsettled consumer."

Furthermore, heftier earnings should help companies weather the coming year’s array of challenges. “Corporate profit margins have been running somewhat above their five-year average of 11.1 percent,” notes Yaros. “That should provide some ability to absorb price pressures that have developed from rising commodity prices and global supply chain issues.”

Wage Hikes Any tight labor market is likely to spark wage hikes—yet another driver of positive consumer sentiment. Today’s economy is no exception. “We have seen a significant increase in wages over the past year—as high as 20 percent to 25 percent for lower-paid, hourly, entry-level employees or machine operators,” says Palisin.

Nationwide, increases are running lower, due to normalization of wages in some industries. “In 2022 we're looking at 2.6 percent growth in the employment cost index, compared with 2.9 percent for 2021 and 2.6 percent in 2020,” says Hoyt. (Economists consider the “employment cost index” as the best measure of actual wage rates). Hoyt adds that “any risks to the accuracy of those numbers is probably on the upside.”

Sales Recover Business owners tend to confirm the economists’ sunny reports. “Most of our members have seen a healthy return of revenues and are doing about 90 percent of their pre-Covid business,” says Tom Palisin, Executive Director of The Manufacturers' Association, a York, PA-based regional employers' group with more than 370 member companies (mascpa.org). “Many have actually gone into hiring mode.”

With its diverse membership in food processing, defense, fabrication, and machinery building, Palisin’s association is something of a proxy for American industry. “Our members are optimistic and expect current levels of demand to continue well into 2022,” says Palisin.

“They're expecting to continue to hire, as well,” Palisin adds. “Our annual wage and salary survey usually projects between 400 and 500 job openings for the coming 12 months. Now, though, the number is more than a thousand. So we're looking at a doubling of the usual hiring activity.”

Aggressive hiring is improving the nation’s employment level, a key driver of the consumer sentiment so vital to the nation’s overall business health. “Unemployment has been declining pretty steadily,” says Scott Hoyt, Senior Director of Consumer Economics for Moody’s Analytics (economy.com). “Jobs are being added at a rate that prior to the pandemic would be viewed as astoundingly good.” Unemployment is expected to be as low as 4.5 percent when 2021 figures are finally tallied, and should decline to 3.4 percent by the end of 2022, a level not far from the “full employment” conditions of the pre-pandemic economy.

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

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Wage rates aren’t the only component of an employer’s labor cost. Toss into the mix a greater number of people employed, a greater number of job positions filled, an increased number of hours worked, and the total comes to what economists dub “wage and salary income.” And it’s clear that employers nationwide will be shelling out more of that in the coming 12 months. “In 2022, we're looking at about 4.6 percent growth in wage and salary income, coming off a 7 percent increase in 2021, which was up from the 1.3 percent of 2020,” says Hoyt.

All that additional income should encourage greater consumer spending, a key driver of a healthy economy.

And signs are that people have saved up considerable sums of cash that are ready to be spent. Throughout 2020 and early 2021, after-tax income rose much faster than had been anticipated prior to the pandemic. The reason was massive fiscal stimulus in terms of federal economic impact checks and expanded unemployment insurance payments.

At the same time, consumer spending ran lower than anticipated. “People now have a huge amount of savings,” says Hoyt. “Furthermore, consumer credit card borrowing has been weak, leaving consumers more flexibility to borrow money going forward if they choose to do so.”

Construction Activity Given healthy corporate growth, it’s little wonder business investment remains robust. “Our members in general are expanding, building new warehouses and manufacturing facilities, and buying new equipment,” says Palisin. “We are seeing a special uptick in the automation category because of the labor supply issue.”

Nationwide, the picture is the same. Moody’s Analytics expects capital investment to increase 8.2 percent for both 2021 and 2022, another welcome rebound from the 5.4 percent decline of 2020.

Companies are giving a lot of attention to bolstering their intellectual property infrastructure. “Investments in information processing equipment and software is well above its pre-pandemic level as businesses have boosted their IT budgets,” says Yaros. Higher energy prices have also fueled aggressive investments in mining exploration, shafts, and well structures.

“Companies are giving a lot of attention to bolstering their intellectual property infrastructure.”

Principal of his own consulting firm in Lake Oswego, Oregon (conerlyconsulting.com). “It probably will be strongest in warehouses and light industrial, but also suburban offices. Early indicators, like the Architectural Billings Index, are looking positive.”

This will be a welcome change over recent flat activity, which Conerly attributes to the long lead times characteristic of such projects, and a scarcity of new initiatives in the early days of the pandemic. “Early in 2020 nobody was signing papers to acquire land or do new projects,” he says. “So what we see going on now are projects that were planned pre-pandemic or with short lead times.”

Fueling the trend: Ready money. “For the most part our companies are able to access funds for hard capital investments and lines of credit,” says Palisin. “Financing has loosened up since a year ago when everybody was in a high state of uncertainty.”

“On the residential side, housing starts have been running about 15 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels, according to Moody’s Analytics. The prediction is for full steam ahead.”

On the residential side, housing starts have been running about 15 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels, according to Moody’s Analytics. The prediction is for full steam ahead. “Annual growth in housing starts will remain strong because of favorable demand-side factors, namely demographics and excess savings,” says Yaros.

Increases for 2022 are expected to top 11.9 percent—very aggressive by historical standards and slightly higher than the previous year’s 10.6 percent.

Eager consumers are bidding up the prices of singlefamily homes, and a general easing of mortgage lending standards is helping grease the skids. Housing prices for 2021 are expected to jump 17.5 percent—a considerable improvement over the previous year’s 10.4 percent. As for 2022, Moody’s Analytics expects increases to decelerate to 4.6 percent, thanks to difficult year-to-year comparisons.

The economy should also benefit from more spending on commercial structures. “We're going to see more nonresidential construction next year,” says Bill Conerly, 36

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

Scarce Workers The generally favorable economic forecast is not without its clouds. As most employers will attest, today’s ambitious hiring initiatives are colliding with a scarcity of candidates.

“Our members are having difficulty finding enough workers, especially for entry-level jobs,” says Palisin. “The average time-to-hire has doubled from what it was prior to the pandemic. This will certainly impact our member’s ability to take on new work or provide on-time delivery.”

Nationwide job openings recently topped a recordshattering 11 million—a huge increase over the 7 million pre-pandemic level. “The number one concern of businesses going forward will be finding qualified labor,” says Yaros. “There have never been so many open positions across every industry and government, but the need for more workers is especially acute in manufacturing, transportation, educational services, healthcare, and leisure and hospitality.”

The reasons for the scarcity are diverse. “There has been a significant drop off in labor force participation as folks were forced into retirement or are staying home to deal with childcare or other dependent care issues that are more difficult to handle in the current environment,” says Hoyt.

Some fear the risk of workplace infections. Others are not finding exactly the job they want. And many pandemic-

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

shocked people are reassessing their life missions and pursuing new ventures.

A number of factors may help relieve the labor crisis in 2022. These include the end of bonus unemployment insurance, a declining effect from stimulus payments, an abatement of infections, and a return to in-person schooling.

Supply Chains The tight labor market is helping fuel another business headache: a global breakdown in the efficient distribution of goods. “Most of the time the root cause of supply chain disruption is a lack of sufficient workers,” says Conerly.

When people aren’t available to do the work, efficient production and transportation fall by the wayside. Cargo ships are piling up at ports, causing delivery delays, and leading to widespread price increases for supplies.

The supply chain imbroglio has engaged a broad spectrum of industries. “Close to 95 percent of our members are experiencing supply chain issues,” says Megan Tanel, Senior Vice President of the Construction Sector for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

“More than half say the issues are getting worse. There are transportation bottlenecks, materials, and component shortages. For the vast majority of our members, these issues are both domestic and global. And they are causing huge constraints on production.”

37

The increased costs resulting from order backlogs and delivery delays are only exacerbated by the China tariffs.

While businesses were expecting some relief from the Biden administration, so far there has been no move to change the status quo. “Tariffs on Chinese goods will likely continue,” says Conerly. “In fact, given the friction between the US and China, it's possible we could even get additional ones.”

The double whammy of supply chain disruption and China tariffs are causing some businesses to look at alternative regional or local sources. “Many businesses are no longer relying on any single supplier or global region for goods and services,” says John Manzella, a consultant on global business and economic trends, East Amherst, NY (JohnManzella.com). “They are building more diversified and reliable supply chains. Instead of buying in scale from two very large Chinese suppliers, they might buy in smaller increments from a half dozen suppliers located in different regions of the world. They may also utilize more long-term warehousing facilities. This strategy, which adds costs but reduces risk, will be extremely beneficial in protecting against the next pandemic, black swan, or trade war.”

Investopedia.com defines “black swan” as “an unpredictable event that is beyond what is normally expected of a situation and has potentially severe consequences. Black swan events are characterized by their extreme rarity, severe impact, and the widespread insistence they were obvious in hindsight.” And Investopedia.com adds in the “key takeaways” section, “Reliance on standard forecasting tools and investment models can both fail to predict, and potentially increase vulnerability to, black swans by propagating risk and offering false security.”

“The tight labor market is helping fuel another business headache: a global breakdown in the efficient distribution of goods."

Finding alternative sources, though, can be easier said than done. “Many businesses that would like to source domestically can't find any vendor in the United States that can match Chinese prices,” says Conerly. “And Chinese companies have improved the quality of their goods significantly.”

Adding to this litany of woes is the Chinese government’s increasingly heavy-handed control of industry, says Palisin.

“Some of our members are asking, ‘If we have a critical supplier in China, how likely is it that the government will step in and intervene in that company, which could impact us getting access to our components?’”

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On the Ag Side The Turf News editors share highlights from the Ag Industry forecasts they have been monitoring.

On November 8, 2021, in www.agweb.com, Tyne Morgan examined the potential impact on agriculture stemming from Congress’ $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Plan. As she reported, “According to Pro Farmer Washington Correspondent Jim Wiesemeyer, the bill contains $550 billion in new spending that will take place over the next five years. Part of that funding will be dedicated to roads, bridges, and rail, as well as expanding electric vehicle charging stations. Another big piece of the legislation that could impact rural America is the broadband piece of the package.”

Within that AgWeb article, Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director of the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC), stated, “The supply chain challenges over the past year have highlighted the reality that we can get supply right, and we can get demand right, but if we do not get infrastructure right, we, as an industry and as a broader economy, will not flourish.”

STC broke down the Infrastructure Plan funding that will impact agriculture by category. Among the key funding issues they noted, was the $110 billion allocated for roads, bridges, and major projects—which includes $40 billion for bridge repair, replacement, and rehabilitation—and the $65 billion for high-speed internet. Other sources report $42.5 billion of that broadband funding will be allocated to the states to build networks in unserved and underserved areas, many of which are rural. Multiple expert agricultural forecasters expect investments in Ag Tech to again increase in 2022, especially in the areas of reliable, high-speed internet access and precision farming.

On December 9, 2021, CoBank issued a press release highlighting key issues in its “2022 Year Ahead Report— Forces That Will Shape the U.S. Rural Economy.” The full report is available at this link: https://www.cobank.com/ web/cobank/knowledge-exchange/general/the-year-aheadforces-that-will-shape-the-us-rural-economy-in-2022?

The release opened with this statement, “The U.S. economy is poised to slow in 2022 relative to 2021, but economic growth will continue at a pace that is well above average.” And it reported, “The Covid-19 omicron variant is shaping up to be the wild card of early 2022 and it could delay the rebalancing of the U.S. economy.”

The report stated, “The U.S. farm economy will continue to struggle with the ongoing supply chain dysfunction and cost inflation issues that emerged in the summer of 2021.” And added, “CoBank economists do not anticipate any significant pullback in farm-level costs until Q3, at the earliest.”

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

2022 The Year Ahead As businesses enter the early months of 2022, economists suggest watching a number of leading indicators for an idea of how the year will go. The first is the state of consumer confidence—a vital driver of the nation’s economy.

Given favorable wages and income trends, one might expect that consumers are feeling fairly good. In the closing months of 2021, though, the attitude of the American public was surprisingly unsettled. “It really is difficult to get a good sense of consumer confidence in the current environment,” says Hoyt. One reason, of course, is the unclear path of the pandemic. But another is the recent spike in fuel and other prices, sparking fears of inflation.

How the public reacts to the shape-shifting virus should be more apparent in the opening months of 2022. So should changes in the currency’s purchasing power. “Inflation will be the key financial statistic to follow early in the year,” says Yaros. Moody’s Analytics calls for the Core PCE Price Index to moderate to 2.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022 as supply chain bottlenecks and labor shortages ease.

(The Core PCE Price Index excludes energy and food prices and is the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation).

Businesses should watch for any higher levels of persistent inflation that might cause the Fed to increase interest rates—a move Moody’s Analytics does not anticipate until the fourth quarter of 2022.

“Finally, a nonfinancial force may be more important than anything else.

“The damage done by the Delta variant has taught us that the pandemic is still alive and has the potential to disrupt economic activity,” says Hoyt."

Yet another leading indicator will be the return-to-work trend. “More people getting back on the job would confirm a strong 2022,” says Conerly. “Are employers getting the workers they need? Are people earning more money to spend?”

Finally, a nonfinancial force may be more important than anything else. “The damage done by the Delta variant has taught us that the pandemic is still alive and has the potential to disrupt economic activity,” says Hoyt.

“Early in 2022 the leading data will be about Covid-19.

What are the trends in vaccination rates? Infections?

Hospitalizations? Deaths?”

Favorable answers bode well for a robust year.

Phillip M. Perry is an award winning business journalist with over 20 years of experience under his belt. A three time recipient of the American Bar Association's "Edge Award" for editorial achievement, Perry freelances out of his New York City office. His byline ne has appeared over 3,000 times in the nation’s business press and he maintains a website at www.editorialcalendar.net.

Photo courtesy of American Sod Farms.

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

39

MARKETING TIPS & TECHNIQUES— LOOKING BACK

By Suz Trusty Over the last nearly two years, the corona virus pandemic changed the business world, forcing adaptations in every aspect of your operations. Getting your message out in that chaotic situation became key to your company’s success—and that messaging is marketing.

Marketing gave you the ability to inform your customers and potential customers that your company was still in business and to showcase the range of products and services you were offering. Marketing allowed you to provide them with the information they would need to connect with your company within the ever-evolving, covid-related safety protocols.

Online Presence The internet became the most effective marketing tool throughout the chaos and all indications are it will continue in that role. According to the statista.com data report from October 2020, almost 4.66 billion people were active internet users worldwide, encompassing 59 percent of the global population. While year-end 2021 data was not yet available, statista.com reported on August 4, 2021, “In 2021, an estimated 90.8 percent of the total U.S. population accessed the internet …”

Their website became the primary marketing tool for many natural grass sod producers, a reliable, 24/7 avenue for communication with customers and potential customers. In many cases, it required significant upgrades to the existing website to convey all the information needed to adapt to the visit-less, paper-less, touch-less covid-related environment.

Forced by covid to operate differently, most companies approached the upgrade process realizing the best way to provide the essential information was to “think like the customer.” For those serving multiple markets, that required analyzing the decision-making and purchasing processes from different perspectives. And those perspectives varied, even within a single category of customer. For example, a first-time homeowner’s “need to know information” was more basic than that of a longtime homeowner seeking to upgrade their landscaping.

A potential new contractor customer’s information needs varied from that of a contractor with a well-established relationship with the company.

The range of information needed was extensive, extending across the multiple grass varieties and cultivars, and the combination of monostands, mixes, and blends among a company’s offerings. It was important to explain the 40

growing conditions required for each of those offerings and guide the customers to the best match for the soil types, sun and shade factors, and climatic variables within the customers’ sites. Then the issues of potential uses and preferred levels of maintenance needed to be addressed.

All of that also needed to be tailored to the anticipated pre-existing knowledge of the multiple types of customers within each category.

The visual component of the website provided the opportunity to utilize a “show and tell” process to deliver the information. That raised more challenges—what to show and what to tell—and how to combine the two effectively.

All the factors listed above concentrated on developing the tools customers would need to select the type of grass to order. For many sod producers, the middle segment of the typical purchase—determining how much sod would be needed for the area—was already posted on the website.

Even if that had not been added previously, the company probably had compiled that information in an easy-tofollow format as a handout sheet or brochure. Members of Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) had access to an association-developed brochure, Turfgrass Area Calculations for New Sod, available in the Member-Only Store section of the website, www.TurfGrassSod.org. Those printed resources could be adapted or simply posted for use on the company’s website.

If the post-purchase steps were not yet part of the sod producers’ website, TPI also offered brochures developed as member resources for those essential processes— installation, fertilization, and watering and care for new sod.

Companies that had not been offering an order online option needed to develop one or connect with one of the industry providers of such programs. The final component for many companies was developing their nocontact pickup and delivery protocols, which were unique for each company, and incorporating that information into their website.

Reflecting the resilience of this industry, most company’s websites are now consumer-friendly, highly informative, marketing tools.

Suz Trusty is co-editor of Turf News.

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

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TPI Turf News January/February 2022

41

MARKETING TIPS & TECHNIQUES— LOOKING FORWARD

By Suz Trusty As we enter 2022, the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic lingers. Emerging variants have many questioning what steps may be required to maintain personal and public health and safety. Anxiety about the economy, rising inflation, and supply chain problems add to the stress level. Environmental issues and potentially damaging weather events brought about by changing weather patterns are continuing concerns.

Covid-19 fatigue is real. Providing green space is not the antidote, but it can be effective therapy.

Looking forward, active internet use will continue to grow worldwide. Take advantage of the significant upgrades you have made in your website to use it as an effective marketing tool to share the proven positive value of green spaces—including lawns—with your customers and potential customers.

Tap into resources, such as The Lawn Institute (TLI), www.TheLawnInstitute.org, for data you can use to incorporate into your website messages, tweaking them to make them resonate with your customers, potential customers, and throughout your marketing area.

As TLI’s website reports, “Urbanization is a not a new reality, but in recent years its pace has increased substantially. For the first time in human history, the world’s population now has more people living in urban areas than rural areas. By 2030, the United Nations projects that this will likely shift even further where up to 60 percent of the world’s population could be living in urban areas. As this trend continues, plants will continue to play an essential role in the success, comfort, health, and social well-being of millions of people.”

Tout the Environmental Impact "The many benefits of perennial grasses in urban spaces have been well-documented with regard to producing fresh oxygen, capturing rainfall, reducing stormflow and erosion, protecting watersheds, filtering pollutants, and more."

Infographics detailing many of these benefits are available on the TLI website. Consider adding them to your website in conjunction with local or regional sites and situations where your grasses are being used to make a significant impact that relates to one or more of those benefits.

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Psychological/Emotional Go beyond data to tap into the psychological and emotional benefits of natural grass. You have the inside track here. You’ve been supplying that therapy long before the pandemic began; long before the media and consumers even knew it was therapy. Why have your customers been updating their landscapes with natural grass?

How are they using those beautiful new lawns personally as therapy to counter the anxiety, uncertainty, stress, and isolation of Covid? How are they using those beautiful new lawns as a psychological message to themselves that at least this part of their life is peaceful and serene? To calm their nerves? Boost their mood? Upgrade their attitude?

Review some of your before and after photos of recent projects that may show an area created specifically as a haven for such purposes. Or maybe you have a message from a one of your customers reporting how they are benefiting psychologically from their new lawn that they would be willing to share on your website.

How are they using those beautiful lawns as a family? Photos of families interacting in a game of croquet or cornhole would be great to share as examples of family activities on the lawn. So would those of family members playing catch, kicking around a soccer ball, or tossing a football.

Other great family photos could be a toddler learning to walk on the soft and forgiving grass; or children interacting with their dog, cat, or bunny; or a picnic or tea party on a blanket on the lawn.

How are they using those beautiful new lawns as a means of social connection? For many people, outdoor gatherings became the main opportunity for meeting with friends and extended family during the covid-related lockdowns. Often, the ease of entertaining in a beautiful outdoor setting on the lawn was so appealing and enjoyable, they have adopted it as their favorite type of social interaction. Tap into that trend by posting photos of these types of gatherings, maybe in conjunction with suggestions for fun events such as May Day or Fourth of July celebrations.

Positive marketing messages such as these can help boost sales.

Suz Trusty is co-editor of Turf News.

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

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MCCALL SOD FARM’S BUSINESS REMAINS STRONG AFTER 54 YEARS IN THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE

By Cecilia Brown In 1971, three local businessmen bought a sod farm located on Highway 231 about six miles north of Panama City, FL. Now, 50 years later, the same families are operating the sod farm together.

McCall Sod Farm was founded by Howell McCall in 1967, and a few years later James “Jimmy” Maulden, Jack Laird, and Percy Simmons bought the farm as partners.

“Originally we bought the land for real estate, but Percy was a farmer at heart,” Maulden said. “He took the farm to the next level. We started with Centipede grass and from there we started to grow the business.”

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Hurricane Michael On October 10, 2018, one of the strongest hurricanes on record to make landfall on the Florida panhandle hit McCall Sod Farm and the surrounding area. Hurricane Michael pushed through the area with sustained winds of 160 mph. “It tore up and destroyed everything. When it was over there wasn’t much left,” Maulden said.

Prior to the storm, he and his family traveled about 25 miles north of the farm for safety, but the hurricane hit there, too. When they came back, the storm had taken out just about everything in a 20-mile-wide area. McCall Sod farm lost nearly everything, including all of its irrigation systems, barns, and houses.

McCall Sod Farm’s business remains strong after 54 years in the Florida Panhandle.

Maulden recalled back then they would walk behind a Ryan Sod Cutter, cut the sod into 12-by-24-inch blocks, and pick it up off the ground to place on the pallets. He said it’s been remarkable to see how the industry has changed since then.

Pictured above (from left) are mobile homes on McCall Sod Farm destroyed by Hurricane Michael and a neighbor’s home flooded after the storm.

“They’re still tearing houses down now that were destroyed in Michael. We’re still bringing back some of our fields and buildings, but pretty much everything is back online.

We still don’t have a barn though because the builders were backed up for two years,” he said.

Moving Forward A few years into running McCall Sod Farm, Simmons wanted to see where they could take the business. So, in 1978, they bought a tract of land in the Southport community, just north of Panama City, and moved the entire sod farm to its current location.

Simmons passed away on Christmas Day in 2000. At that point, Maulden switched from just looking at the farm as an investment to operating it as Simmons had before.

“That was 21 years ago. Between that time up until now we have expanded our farm in both acreage as well as with several different grass varieties,” he said.

McCall Sod Farm consists of approximately 1,300 acres, with varieties including: Centipede, Tifway 419 Bermuda, 44

People traveled from all over to assist in the recovery from Hurricane Michael.

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

The farm was without power for over 30 days, and since most telephone towers were gone, they didn’t have cell phone service for a long time either. For several months, they focused on picking up the pieces. They were back operating the sod farm and online by January 1, 2019.

“Everyone worked together as a community and helped each other. From the farm end of it, we hauled everything in that we needed from the Pensacola area, such as water and supplies,” he said. “We also had vendors and friends sending pallets of water, Gatorade, and various other items. We are very grateful for all of them.”

As the president of McCall Sod Farm, Maulden manages 33 employees. He said that’s proven itself to be a challenge through the Covid-19 pandemic because he just wants to do his best to keep all of the employees safe and healthy. “We’ve been able to operate even with all of the problems with Covid and our business is beginning to pick back up,” he said.

McCall sod farm produces grass for commercial, residential, and roadside grass installations.

He shared that they are getting closer to being back where they were before the storm but that it’s taken time. He noted it is hard to give other farms advice on how to get through a storm like that, and that other farms in Central Florida have had similar losses. “You’ve got to know that it does get better and to just hang in there,” he said.

Appreciating the Challenges Maulden, who will celebrate his seventy-ninth birthday in April, said that he appreciates the challenges the turfgrass industry presents him and always looks forward to something different every day. “Over the past 20 years, we’ve expanded the farm with more varieties of sod, but I’m still learning about the sod business. I don’t think we ever quit learning, do we?” he laughed.

Jimmy Maulden brings his dog Annie to the farm with him every day.

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“I have a large farm I can ride around and get away from it all; all the pressures in life.” - Jimmy Maulden

“We’re only a few miles away from the beach. It’s a pretty place to live,” he added. Maulden noted that the population in the Panama City area has grown from the beach out to where their farm is, and they’re mostly surrounded by neighborhood communities now.

Maulden’s two daughters, Tammy and Amy, currently work at McCall Sod Farm with him. Percy’s daughter, Marcia, who owns a third of the farm, also works there.

He said that they all work for the same common goal to make the farm better.

“When we first started, no one was out here,” he said.

“In the next few years, I think this North Florida-area market will continue to grow and our farm will continue to grow with it.” Maulden added that as they will continue to grow, they will change grass varieties while increasing production and the number of products they’re moving.

“Some days are great and some days you’ve got a lot of problems,” he said. “I always say if you run a sod farm, as long as you keep doing the same thing and keep it simple, the better off you are. Everyone knows what to do and a change in direction isn’t always a good thing.”

He said they enjoy being a part of the community. Schools and various other groups visit on field trips to learn about the sod farm and local homeowners come directly to the farm to pick up sod to redo their lawns.

Maulden’s favorite part of the job is farming and getting up in the morning to come to work. “I have a large farm I can ride around and get away from it all; all the pressures in life. I also like seeing the transition from the time we plant sod to when we actually gather it,” he said.

Cecilia Brown is media and content manager for Sod Solutions. This article was developed for the company’s Producers Update series and is posted on their website, SodSolutions.com.

All photos provided by Sod Solutions.

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TPI Turf News January/February 2022

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TPI Turf News January/February 2022

47

INTRODUCING TPI FUTURE LEADERS FELLOWSHIP

By Allie Shriver Turfgrass Producers International is excited to announce our newest members-only program the TPI Future Leaders Fellowship.

A BIT OF BACKGROUND Diane Mischel is owner of DeBuck’s Sod Farm, Inc. in Davison, Michigan, and a member of the TPI Board of Trustees, who on January 1, 2022, was elected to serve as TPI’s Secretary-Treasurer. As she reported in the September/ October 2021 issue of Turf News, “Stemming from a desire to engage and involve up and coming members and attract new members to Turfgrass Producers International, the executive board recently formed the Leadership, Innovation, and Technology (LIT) committee.” She enthusiastically joined that committee and shared in developing the vision.

The LIT committee first met in April of 2021. One of its first initiatives was introducing a bimonthly column for Turf News that will, as she reported in that opening column, “… tackle researching and sharing new technology and innovative concepts.”

Diane Mischel also noted that the LIT committee was developing a new small group leadership experience.

The TPI Future Leadership Fellow is the result of the committee’s collaboration on that project.

The information that follows is drawn from the brochure that was issued to members via multiple avenues to inform them of the initiative and encourage those interested to apply.

BUILDING INDUSTRY LEADERS The TPI Future Leaders Fellowship is honored to bring new and current leaders in the natural grass industry together for the learning opportunity of a lifetime.

Throughout the immersive 24-month program, you will become a more robust and better leader with new skills and relationships to become effective advocates for the natural grass industry.

BECOME AN INDUSTRY LEADER With a balance of dynamic classroom and virtual presentations, experiential learning opportunities, in-depth leadership text analysis paired with travel, service projects, and teamwork, you will learn new skills and enhance existing leadership characteristics to contribute to the longterm success of your career and organization.

48

COMMITMENT • • • • • • • • • •

Two Years of Learning and Networking Monthly Virtual Classroom Education 2022 and 2023 TPI International Education Conferences & Field Days Peer to Peer Business Visits Washington, DC Advocacy Trip International Study Tour and European Turf Producers Meeting Three-Day Immersive Learning Meeting Analysis & Discussion of Three Leadership Books Mentor Future Turfgrass Leader Fellows Member-Only Access to Nonprofit Learning Lab Webinar

NEW SKILLS AND STRATEGIC FOCUS Over the course of 24 months, Fellows will be immersed in numerous topics including: • Leadership Styles • Communication Styles • Human Resources • Brand Building • Customer Service • Healthy Teamwork • Productive Meetings • Agronomics • Advocacy • Using Tech to Improve Farming Efficiencies • Water Management • Environmental Stewardship • Innovative Farming Practices • Sod Farming: The Natural Bridge Between Urban and Rural Conversations

THE APPLICATION PROCESS Also included in the brochure were the requirements for participation and the details of the application process and selection timeline. Space is limited for this program to better provide the opportunity for immersive learning, idea sharing, and building relationships and networks.

Applications opened on December 1, 2021 and were scheduled to close on January 15, 2022. Applicants were to be notified of the selection outcome by January 20, 2022.

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

MEET THE FIRST COHORT

FOR THE FELLOW

The first cohort of the TPI Future Leaders Fellowship will be introduced in February during the TPI 2022 International Education Conference & Field Day in San Diego, California.

F

F

BENEFITS FOR THE EMPLOYER

Watch for exciting developments to unfold as they invest their time and talents toward fulfilling their vision for their careers, their companies, TPI, and the natural grass industry.

Allie Shriver is membership and marketing manager for Turfgrass Producers International. She is the coordinator for the TPI Future Leaders Fellowship program.

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

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TPI IS WORKING WITH THE U.S. EPA ON 2022-2026 STRATEGIC PLAN

By Casey Reynolds, PhD The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted its Draft FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan on October 1, 2021, and opened it for public comment. As we reported in the November/December 2021 issue of Turf News, there are pending Registration Reviews of the fungicide mancozeb and the neonicotinoids clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam, as well as the herbicides glyphosate, oxadiazon, topramezone, and mesotrione. Registration review is EPA’s periodic review of pesticide registrations to ensure that each pesticide continues to satisfy the statutory standard for registration, that is, that the pesticide can perform its intended function without unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment.

The EPA recently posted a Proposed Interim Decision for oxadiazon and TPI provided official comment as did many individual sod producers. As of the writing of this article, the proposed pattern and rate reductions for all liquid and granular formulations are as follows:

• • • • • • •

Use on turfgrass will be limited to golf course fairways and sod farms only Yearly maximum use rate to be reduced from 8 lb to 6 lb ai/A The single maximum application rate reduced from 4 lb ai/A to 3 lb ai/A Applications are limited to two per year – spring and fall Liquid applications will be limited to once per year There must be a 120-day retreatment interval between applications Applications to sports fields are prohibited, including at planting/new construction

The Draft FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan has set pesticide registration reviews as one of its long-term performance goals and is currently planning to complete 78 pesticide registration review cases through 2026. We at TPI will do our best to communicate any updates and will be seeking comments from producers when needed.

Other aspects of the EPA Strategic Plan focus on climate, carbon, clean and healthy air and water, pollution reduction, etc. EPA’s ability to protect human health and the environment depends on the integrity and quality of the information, data, and evidence that provide the scientific foundation for Agency decisions.

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There is no doubt that natural grasses play an integral role in capturing carbon, cooling urban and suburban environments, reducing pollutants in runoff, revitalizing communities, and many other aspects of the EPA’s goals.

To accomplish the goals and objectives set out in this Strategic Plan, EPA will develop, deliver, and use the best available scientific information, data, and evidence to meet partner needs and inform decision making at all levels, from site-specific decisions that affect local communities to national decisions that impact all Americans.

TPI will work with university researchers, agri-chemical manufacturers, and others to make sure that sod production is represented throughout the various goals of the EPA Strategic Plan. There is no doubt that natural grasses play an integral role in capturing carbon, cooling urban and suburban environments, reducing pollutants in runoff, revitalizing communities, and many other aspects of the EPA’s goals.

The full draft of the Draft FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan can be found by going to FederalRegister.gov and then searching EPA Strategic Plan, or at the direct link below. https://www.federalregister.gov/ documents/2021/10/01/2021-21349/draft-fy-2022-2026environmental-protection-agency-strategic-plan.

Please keep an eye out for Industry Harvest E-newsletter articles and your email for updates about TPI’s efforts to make sure natural grass sod producers are represented in current and future regulatory affairs. If you have specific questions or would like to discuss any of this further, you also can contact Dr. Casey Reynolds directly at (847) 7371846 or CReynolds@TurfGrassSod.org.

Casey Reynolds, PhD, is executive director of Turfgrass Producers International.

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

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ROOTED IN RESEARCH

POLYCULTURES, BLUEGRASS BILLBUGS, ENDOPHYTES, OVERSEEDING, AND MORE!

By Cale A. Bigelow, PhD Welcome back to another installment of “Rooted in Research,” where we take a deep dive into turf research you can use or at the very least glean some fancy scientific “big words” to impress your friends and family over some of your favorite beverages.

For this installment I wanted to highlight the potential benefits of growing a diverse stand of cool-season turfgrass species. When cultivating a mixture of different species this is often referred to as a polystand or polyculture.

In agroecosystems, polycultures have been studied and implemented for many years primarily as a non-chemical strategy for reducing pests.

For example, intercropping involves growing two or more cash crops at the same time or sometimes with various cover crops. While most often utilized for pest management, this cropping strategy can sometimes improve soil fertility and nutrient cycling. With intercropping a pest susceptible host and non-host species are interspersed and the species combination is successful in reducing pest damage compared to the pest susceptible monostand. The benefits occur due to alterations in insect movement, foraging behaviors, modifying host plant suitability, or simply strengthening the action of natural enemies (Coll and Bottrell, 1994).

In lawn systems, genetically diverse polystands have often been specified for new plantings. Various species mixtures like a traditional “sun-shade” seed mixture (e.g., Kentucky bluegrass plus fineleaf fescue) or mixtures where Kentucky bluegrass is combined with perennial ryegrass or turftype tall fescue are fairly common seed mixtures. The logic is that the broader tolerance of the species mixture and cultivar blends to environmental stress will decrease the likelihood of stand decline due to disease or insect infestations (Watschke and Schmidt, 1992). In short, this genetic diversity provides better turf persistence and 52

durability across a wide range of growing conditions and pest pressures.

One possibility for further enhancing pest and environmental stress tolerances when developing a species mixture is to include endophyte enhanced grass seed.

You might be asking yourself, “What’s the heck is an endophyte?” Endophytes are a systemic, seed-borne fungus that are described as mutualists. Often when we hear fungi and turfgrass we only consider the possible negative effects a fungus might have on turfgrass health.

These endophytic fungi provide benefits that are quite the opposite. In this mutualistic relationship the grass plants harbor the fungus in the stem tissue, providing a protective place to live, while also supplying water and nutrients. In return, the endophytes offer a number of possible benefits such as improved vigor and drought tolerance, resistance to various diseases or shoot feeding insects like caterpillars.

The grass species most often associated with endophyte enhancement include the ryegrasses and the fescue species (e.g., tall and fineleaf). In perennial ryegrass Neotyphodium spp., is the most commonly associated fungal endophyte.

In addition to providing resistance to various caterpillar insects it also provides resistance to the bluegrass billbug, which can be a very serious lawn pest.

Bluegrass billbugs lay their eggs (the entomologists like to use the fancy word, “oviposit”) into the stem of grasses in the spring. The very hungry emerging larvae tunnel their way through the stem tissue potentially causing catastrophic plant destruction along the way. Fungal endophytes produce chemical products called “alkaloids” which in simple terms are not very tasty to the insects.

A common alkaloid you might be familiar with is caffeine, which is part of the xanthine family. Caffeine has a stimulating effect on humans, but too much can also have negative consequences, especially on the human gastrointestinal system.

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

Remember “the dose makes the poison.”

So why all the buildup about things like genetic diversity, polyculture, endophytes, oviposition, and bluegrass billbugs? Well, according to my turf entomologist colleague here at Purdue, Dr. Doug Richmond, billbugs affect roughly half of all home lawns in this part of the Midwest. This makes them one of, if not the most, common turfgrass-infesting insects. Billbug damage is often overlooked and confused with issues like soil compaction, drought/summer stress, nematodes, “summer disease,” or attributed to other insects like the white grub.

While there are four major billbug species affecting turfgrass, the bluegrass billbug is the species infesting cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, fine fescue, and tall fescue. Billbugs are part of a group of insects called weevils in the genus Sphenophorus. They are about onethird inch in size and easily recognized by the presence of a long snout on the front of the head. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1: Overview of the bluegrass billbug adult.

ryegrass into stands of Kentucky bluegrass to manage bluegrass billbug,” in the Journal of Economic Entomology.

These researchers posed the question: “What would happen to billbug damage if we overseeded a billbug susceptible Kentucky bluegrass lawn with endophyte enhanced ryegrass?” The hypothesis being that by introducing perennial ryegrass this effectively increases genetic diversity and provides a grass less sensitive to billbug feeding. Further, the use of endophyte enhanced ryegrass might have an additive effect for billbug damage.

In their study, conducted in Eastern Ohio, they slit-seeded two ryegrasses with differing endophyte infection percentages (63 versus 95 percent) at two seeding rates in October. Over the next few years, they measured things such as turf appearance, turf species composition, and of course billbug population density.

What they were able to demonstrate is that overseeding an existing Kentucky bluegrass with endophyte-enhanced perennial ryegrass was an effective strategy to manage the bluegrass billbug. They also stressed that if you plan to use endophytic grasses as an overseeding strategy it is extremely important to use fresh seed (or properly stored seed) containing sufficiently high amounts of viable endophyte.

This study quantified important practical results and illustrated the benefits of fall lawn overseeding with superior grasses and cultivars. In addition to suppressing insects like billbugs, this practice may also be beneficial in terms of drought/heat tolerance and non-chemically suppressing other pests like disease.

Billbugs spend their winters in thatch or surface debris, soil cracks and crevices, or other plant debris in and around structures such as sidewalks, driveways, and buildings. They become active in April or May as soil temperatures warm and eventually deposit their eggs in stem tissue and the legless larvae begin their feeding (See Figure 2).

Figure 2: A typical larvae of bluegrass billbug.

Until next time, be well, be safe and hopefully we will bump into each other during the upcoming winter education season.

Note: Dr. Richmond has an excellent factsheet related to billbug management which can be found at the website link that follows. https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/ publications/E-266/E-266.html References:

Coll, M. and D.G. Bottrell. 1994. Effects of non-host plants on insect herbivore in diverse habitats. Ecology 75:723-731.

Richmond, D.S., H.D. Niemczyk and D.J. Shetlar. 2000.

Overseeding endophytic perennial ryegrass into stands of Kentucky bluegrass to manage bluegrass billbug (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) J. Econ.

Entomol. 93:1662-1668. doi:10.1603/0022-0493-93.6.1662.

Watschke, T.L. and R.E. Schmidt. 1992. Ecological aspects of turfgrass communities. pp.129-162. In D.V. Waddington, R.N. Carrow and R.C. Shearman (eds.) Turfgrass. ASA-CSSA-SSSA, Madison, WI.

While a number of insecticides can be used to suppress billbug populations there are effective non-chemical options for chronically affected lawns. This leads me to a field research study conducted by Drs. Richmond, Niemczyk, and Shetlar at Ohio State and a paper they published entitled, “Overseeding endophytic perennial

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

Cale A. Bigelow, PhD, is a professor of Turf Science and Ecology in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Purdue University in Indiana. Mike Fidanza, PhD, is a professor of Plant and Soil Sciences at Penn State University, Berks Campus. They are teaming to provide a Rooted in Research article for each issue of Turf News.

All photos courtesy of Dr. Doug S. Richmond.

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SOD CHECKOFF SPOTLIGHT: THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABILITY

By Casey Reynolds, PhD and Erin Heidecker

Sustainability is increasingly being used as part of purchasing decisions by consumers. Emerging research shows that if consumers do not see your product as sustainable, they are much less likely to purchase it.

Inversely, if they do so see your product as sustainable not only will they purchase it—but they are willing to pay more for it!

The artificial turf industry has put significant effort into communicating benefits of going artificial, like less time maintaining your lawn, decreased water usage, reduced chemicals, etc. and simply look at the price of it. It is substantially more expensive than natural grass.

What can our industry do to show that natural grass is in fact sustainable? And what can we do to increase the value of our products? The answer is simple, we just need to tell our story. The truth is that natural grass lawns and athletic fields do in fact have positive environmental contributions and can be a significant part of urban and suburban ecosystems now and in the future.

What can our industry do to show that natural grass is in fact sustainable?

And what can we do to increase the value of our products? The answer is simple, we just need to tell our story.

Partnering to Grow Market Share There is no doubt that this can be made possible by partnering with a U.S. Sod Checkoff to build a sustainability story, backed by extensive research, so that consumers know the facts about natural grass.

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One of our industry’s competitors sees the value of checkoffs and is already doing this. Synthetic turf manufacturers are currently partnering with the United Soybean Board checkoff to grow their market share.

Soy checkoff investments are supporting a wide range of artificial turf uses, including partnerships with sports complexes across the country. Shouldn’t our industry be doing the same?

Synthetic turf manufacturers are also partnering with the USDA to promote their products, creating labels that can now claim these products contain a percentage of bio-based content.

Having support from a larger entity like the USDA gives them both funding for consumer research, as well as budget to market to consumers in a way that is not being bolstered in the sod industry. What’s more bio-based than natural grass? Again, shouldn’t our industry be doing the same?

How Can the Checkoff Help Reach Consumers?

An industry-wide checkoff could fund research to better understand consumer thinking on sustainability and determine which benefits of natural grass to communicate through nationwide promotions. Having the power of research and promotion can help shift perspectives for future consumers, strengthen current markets and build new demand.

Research has shown consumer familiarity with the term “sustainability” has grown steadily in recent years, but confidence in identifying sustainable products and companies is lagging. Sustainability’s importance as a purchase criterion has grown over time and, for millennials, it has become an everyday concern.

Consumers also look for connections and relationships between environmental and social issues. Some of these factors include biodiversity, soil health, carbon neutrality, plastic waste, and more than 25 others. These terms are in consumers’ minds now, and our industry has a great story to tell about how natural grass fits into this complex web TPI Turf News January/February 2022

of sustainability and its impact on purchasing decisions.

Research from The Hartman Group shows that the percentage of consumers who consistently purchased based on sustainability has increased 12 percentage points since 2007. Going even further, almost 50 percent of millennials in 2021 identify themselves as purchasing products based on sustainability.

“Sustainability is one of the first things I think about when shopping in store and online. It can be a little more expensive and some products are sparse in quantity at times, but it’s completely worth it.”

– Lancing, Millennial, The Hartman Group, Inc. Sustainability 2021

Consumers Are Decision Makers Too Let’s also not forget that consumers are also decision makers who sit on city councils, athletic boards, school boards, etc. So, not only do they need to understand the benefits of natural grass in their own purchasing decisions, but they also have influence in building codes, model standards, public policy, etc. They need to understand the many environmental benefits that natural grass brings to home lawns, stormflow, urban heat islands, carbon capture, and more. Natural grass lawns, athletic fields, and public spaces provide important benefits in each of these areas that the public needs to know about.

Consumers increasingly care about reducing plastics, environmentally friendly farming methods, protecting soil health, and more. Natural grass sod producers play a key role in many of these factors.

Research from The Hartman Group shows that the percentage of consumers who consistently purchased based on sustainability has increased 12 percentage points since 2007. Going even further, almost 50 percent of millennials in 2021 identify themselves as purchasing products based on sustainability.

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

Telling Our Own Story Telling our story is not just about pushing back against synthetic turf either. It is about increasing the awareness of natural grass and its many benefits, thereby increasing consumer’s willingness to continue purchasing our products--and perhaps even paying more for them.

Sustainability research is nothing new, but the emergence of these trends in purchasing decisions, particularly around agricultural products, can impact everyone in our industry.

Whether that impact is positive or negative may very well depend on us telling our own story instead of having someone else craft it for us.

Research and promotion can come together in a meaningful way with backing from a U.S. Sod Checkoff, helping to grow the industry for future generations.

Building promotions around research-supported ideas can have a powerful impact with today’s consumers, building their confidence in a product, and helping them feel at ease when making large purchasing decisions. Research and promotion can come together in a meaningful way with backing from a U.S. Sod Checkoff, helping to grow the industry for future generations.

Casey Reynolds, PhD, is executive director of Turfgrass Producers International.

Erin Heidecker is senior manager, client success, with h CLUTCH, an agriculture marketing and consulting firm m that works with several commodity checkoffs.

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WHAT’S NEXT WITH THE SOD CHECKOFF? There are five steps remaining to get to our sod checkoff:

1. ORDER A draft Order establishing the Sod Checkoff has been created by sod producers working with USDA.

2. COMMENT The draft Order will be published in the federal register later this year.

Producers and the general public will have the opportunity to express their support of the checkoff, ask questions and provide general comments.

3. REGISTER In 2022 USDA will announce registration to vote.

4. APPROVE Every U.S. sod producer will have the opportunity to vote in the referendum to establish the sod checkoff.

5. IMPLEMENT If a majority of sod producers participating in the referendum vote yes, the U.S. sod checkoff will be officially established, and a board will be seated.

WANT TO LEARN MORE? Drop us an email at info@sodcheckoff.org to ask questions about the checkoff, learn more about the benefits for the industry, or if you're interested in joining the many producers already at work to make the U.S. Sod Checkoff a reality.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter: @USSodCheckoff

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TPI Turf News January/February 2022

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.SODCHECKOFF.ORG

ASSOCIATION UPDATES

Turf Australia Adds a Second Animated Video

Turf Australia is the representative body of the Turfgrass Industry comprised of levy-paying turf producers and individual members Australia wide. It has added to the series of videos it has developed which talk to the far-reaching benefits of living turfgrass. These videos are aimed at anyone who may be interested in landscaping, developing, town planning, architecture and design, or simply do-it-yourself (DIY) home improvement.

Hort Innovation releases its SIP

Hort Innovation has released its Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) for the next five years. The turf SIP 2022-2026 provides a roadmap guiding Hort Innovation’s investment of turf industry levies and Australian Government contributions, ensuring investment decisions are aligned with industry priorities. The SIP document provides details on the outcomes, strategies, and key performance indicators for the industry for the 5-year period of the SIP. It is available at www.horticulture.com.au/turf/.

Turf Australia is Pleased to Present NxGen Conference.

NxGen is happening! Turf Australia looks forward to welcoming new and returning NxGeners to our regular conference designed to inspire and ignite learning for the next generation of turf growers.

The second animated style video focuses on the health and wellness benefits of natural turf. We have all seen the importance of greenspace during lockdown and feel it's a good time to remind people of the importance of and benefits to a great lawn, or local park, or sports field. It has been posted to both YouTube and Facebook and can be viewed at the links that follow.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qjTekgr0ow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/turfaustralia/ videos/618977482794145/ The animated style video first released by Turf Australia focuses on the many environmental benefits of natural turf.

It also has been posted to both YouTube and Facebook.

The first two videos released focus on the environmental and health benefits of natural turf. They feature a series of interviews with turf growers and health experts which help articulate the true value of natural grass. These videos are available in both a 3-minute and a 60-second version.

For easy access to all the Turf Australia videos, visit the Turf Australia Website Video Page at this link: https://www.turfaustralia.com.au/resources/videos/

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

Join us in Shoal Bay, NSW from Sunday, February 20 to Tuesday, February 22, 2022, for two days of content which will help develop your skills, leadership, and support the improvement of your turf. For details click on the link that follows. www.turfaustralia.com.au/events/nxgen-2021

ETP Announces Seminars & Turf Expo The Association of European Turfgrass Producers (ETP) has announced it will hold its Seminars & Turf Expo July 7- 8, 2022, in Pattensen, Germany. Additional details will be available soon at the ETP website link that follows. https://turfgrassproducers.eu/category/event/ ETP connects the over 700 turfgrass growers throughout Europe, many of whom are quite isolated in terms of their geography, and in terms of their interaction with other growers.

Bringing all those turf growers together creates a group with considerable potential for pooling resources, learning from each other, and tackling the issues facing our industry.

TGA Summer Show in Scotland!

The Turf Growers Association (TGA) will hold its summer show at Turffit in Kinross, Scotland - UK, on July 28, 2022.

See the events page for on our website at the link that follows for further details. https://turfgrass.co.uk.

Formed in 1995, the TGA comprises some 50 companies (including affiliates), collectively responsible for producing approximately 70 percent of the cultivated turf grown in the British Isles and supplying specialist knowledge and infrastructure to that industry. The July 2022 event will be reminiscent off the TGA shows held in previous years with exhibitors and attendees from across the Global Turf Industry.

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GIANTS' LOGAN RYAN: NFL NEEDS TO DO AWAY WITH TURF FIELDS

By Dan Benton

The MetLife Stadium field is one of 17 artificial turf fields across the NFL.

This article, by Dan Benton, was published on October 29, 2021. It is available at the link below. https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/29/new-yorkgiants-logan-ryan-nfl-needs-do-away-turf-fields/ The New York Giants have been ravaged by injury this season and it’s not entirely unlike seasons past. The numbers are a bit more bloated, but it’s been a common theme for Big Blue since MetLife Stadium opened in 2010.

Following the loss of Jabrill Peppers and Blake Martinez—each of whom suffered torn ACLs—Logan Ryan is speaking up.

As the last defensive captain remaining, Ryan says it’s time for MetLife Stadium to change their turf field. In fact, he believes it’s time for the NFL (National Football League) to do away with them entirely.

“We’ve really got to talk about these turf fields, man.

It’s just not best for a player’s safety. It’s too many lower body injuries and it’s unfortunate,” Ryan told reporters on Thursday when asked about Peppers. “The discrepancy is way too high and it’s taking guys earnings away, their earning ability away, when you miss a season because your ankle can’t get out of the turf, or your knee can’t get out of the turf. So, it’s unfortunate.”

Ryan is not the first player or coach to criticize turf field, including that of MetLife Stadium. Just last year, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan ranted about back-to-back games against the Giants and Jets for precisely that reason.

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Even the NFLPA (National Football League Players Association) called for the Giants and Jets to replace the MetLife Stadium field with natural grass.

“Our turf is like any other turf. I think a lot of the turfs are bad. I don’t think they’re bad, I just think they’re not as good as grass. They’re turf. They are what they are,” Peppers added. “But we practice on grass every day. The English Premier League, those players play on grass, and we play on turf.

“I get it and a lot of guys get high-ankle sprains and tear their knees every year on turf. If it happens on grass, it happens on grass. Grass has the ability to move a little bit more than turf. Our turf to anybody else’s, players don’t like playing on turf. If you had a poll, the players don’t like playing on it. It is what it is. We play on it, but it’s just unfortunate when you see that stuff happen.”

Data provided by the NFLPA supports Ryan’s claims. It showed that non-contact lower extremity injuries occur at a 28 percent higher rate on turf than natural grass.

MetLife Stadium is one of 17 turf fields across the NFL. This season, the Giants will play 11 of their 17 games on turf, including eight home games. On Monday night however, they get a reprieve and will play on natural grass at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

Dan Benton is a 16-year journalist and member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), having previously covered the New York Giants for MSG (MSG Networks), AOL Sports, SNY (SportsNet New York), and Giants 101.

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS AVAILABLE FOR TPI MEMBERS—BEGINNING FEBRUARY 2022

By Casey Reynolds, PhD Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) is always searching for ways to increase benefits to our members and have been exploring the possibility of health insurance programs since 2019. We are excited to announce that beginning in February of 2022 TPI members, their employees, and their families will be able to access health insurance through Association Health Programs (AHP), an insurance broker specializing in association management benefit plans. This new relationship is a direct result of collaboration with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), and we are excited about this new partnership.

AHP partners with A+ rated insurance carriers to offer Preferred Provider Plans (PPO), which allow the freedom and flexibility to choose physicians, hospitals, etc. A few examples are United Healthcare PPO, Aetna PPO, and Cigna PPO. Product options, carrier availability, and rates vary by state and individual circumstances. Coverage for out-of-network care is also included with many policies. Options for health insurance coverage is available in 38 U.S. states but is

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

not available internationally or in 12 states (Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington) due to state legal restrictions.

Insurance coverage will be available to TPI producers, suppliers, and their employees. Be on the lookout for more information about this exciting new member benefit in the upcoming months.

Casey Reynolds, PhD, is executive director of Turfgrass Producers International.

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HAPPENINGS

MVS Announces New Sales Team Member Mountain View Seeds has announced the addition of Tony Ramirez to the MVS Sales team. Tony has six years of sales experience and ten years in the seed industry. Tony's primary goal is to partner with customers to grow and maintain professional relationships and sales. Prior to MVS, he worked as a sales representative, both internationally and domestically for OreGro Seeds. A firstgeneration college graduate, Tony received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management earning Magna Cum Laude honors. In his spare time, Tony enjoys camping, fishing, and spending time with his family. Tony can be reached by email at tramirez@mtviewseeds.com or by phone at 541-974-2464.

TWCA Announces New Position Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA) has created the Data Evaluation and Statistical Analyst (DESA) position. Filling this position for the inaugural role is Tyler Carr, graduate student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. “This position is the confluence of TWCA’s efforts to provide sound scientific trialing to the turf community while elevating the next generation of scientists,” says Jack Karlin, Program Administrator of TWCA. Tyler’s nomination to this position came from Dr. Doug Karcher who, at the time, was with the University of Arkanas. “I knew I wanted to pass this responsibility to someone who was qualified, experienced, and capable,” says Karcher.

“Tyler is exactly the right guy for this.” Dr. Karcher is now Chair of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Department of Horticulture and Crop Science. While at the University of Arkansas, he was conducting lysimeter testing on turfgrasses determining the impact of soil texture on volumetric water demand. This work served as a keystone in developing TWCA’s innovative Water Calculator. Information on this aid can be found at, http:// turfgrasswaterconservationalliance.org/twca-calc/.

Creating a dedicated role in TWCA focused on data evaluation and statistical analysis creates a clear, direct evaluation process for the program. The DESA evaluates all the image data, analyzes the statistics, and serves as an informational liaison with the Research Review Committee. Additional opportunities for public and industry outreach are anticipated for these analysts.

Creating this position closes the loop on succession plans for the

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program, with each analyst eventually training their successor and serving on the Research Review Committee as a reviewing member.

This role both streamlines the TWCA trialing process and creates a long-term investment into the future of emerging professionals.

To fulfill this mandate, TWCA has limited eligibility for this role to graduate students or assistant professors. TWCA has further limited potential candidates requiring both nomination for the role by the serving DESA at time of succession and approval by the RRC to serve this critical role.

You can learn more about TWCA by visiting tgwca. org.

STMA 2021 ‘Field of the Year’ Winners Announced Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA)—the professional association of 2,700 men and women who are critical to maintaining sports fields worldwide—has announced its 2021 “Field of the Year” winners. This award spotlights the individuals and programs who excelled in providing quality, safe playing surfaces in 2021.

Every year, STMA presents the industry’s highest honor to members who manage baseball, football, soccer, softball, and other sporting playing surfaces at the professional, collegiate, schools (K-12), and parks and recreation levels. The 2021 winners are listed below: Professional •

Baseball – Sahlen Field, Buffalo Bisons (Buffalo, NY): Kelly Rensel, CSFM

•

Soccer – Red Bull Arena, New York Red Bulls, (Harrison, NJ): Neal Sitzman

College and University

•

Football – Moncrief Field at Amon Carter Stadium, Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, TX): Andrew Siegel

•

Soccer – Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Field, Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, TX): Andrew Siegel

•

Baseball – Dudy Noble Field, Mississippi State University (Starkville, MS): Brandon Hardin

•

Softball – Rhoads Stadium, University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL): Jon DeWitt, CSFM

•

Sporting Grounds – Dorrance Field, University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, NC): Casey Carrick, CSFM

Schools and Parks •

Baseball – Norbrock Stadium, City of Kamloops (Kamloops, Canada): Mike DeCicco and Shawn Cook

•

Soccer – Walsh Field, Pace Academy (Mableton, GA): Daniel Prince

•

Softball – Tournament Capital Ranch Slo-Pitch Field, City of Kamloops (Kamloops, Canada): Mike DeCicco and Shawn Cook

•

Sporting Grounds – Donald Lambert Field, Brentsville District High School (Nokesville, VA): Drew Miller and Turfgrass Management Students

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

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HAPPENINGS NALP Endorses Project EverGreen’s GreenCare for Troops The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) and Project EverGreen announced last November that NALP has endorsed the nationally recognized GreenCare for Troops (GCFT) program.

GreenCare for Troops, managed by Project EverGreen, a 501c3 non-profit, celebrating its sixteenth year in 2022, provides complimentary basic lawn care and landscape maintenance services to military personnel with a deployed family member.

NALP’s endorsement expands the program to its 2,800 member companies, representing 200,000 landscape and lawn care professionals, and opens the door for more volunteers to provide services and bring healthy lawns and landscapes to military families in their time of need.

Since the program’s inception, more than 7,500 lawn and landscape professionals nationwide have provided free services such as mowing, shrub pruning, fertilization, weed control, fire ant services and other related services to deserving military families. To date, the value of the donated services exceeds $10 million.

“Our industry has a strong history of volunteer service and Project EverGreen and GreenCare for Troops are great examples of the way that landscape and lawn care professionals make important contributions to their communities—one property at a time,” said Britt Wood, NALP CEO. “The focus on military families is a great compliment to the volunteer projects we do each year during Renewal & Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery.”

GCFT volunteers provide more than lawn care and landscape maintenance, they provide peace of mind during a stressful time; a safe place for kids to play and families to connect; and a cooler backyard to escape the heat of the summer.

“GCFT is the perfect community service initiative for the lawn and landscape industry and one that the entire industry can get behind,” said Cindy Code, Project EverGreen’s executive director. “The GCFT program represents all the good benefits that the professional lawn and landscape industry offers in their communities.”

Landscape and lawn care professionals can register to volunteer or nominate a family to receive services by visiting www. projectevergreen.org or calling 888/611-2955. Also, GCFT’s sister program, SnowCare for Troops, provides complimentary snow removal services in the winter for eligible military families. When volunteers register for one or both programs, they can choose the number of families they are willing to help, how far they will travel to perform the service and specify what services they will provide.

Aquiline Drones Provides Online Training Course for AG Industry American farms increasingly rely on technology to manage the unpredictable aspects of crop and herd operations. However, many farming tasks are still done manually, wasting valuable time and money. Aquiline Drones (AD), a drone and cloud solutions company, has an immediate solution – Smart Farming with Drones, an online training course. To view a synopsis of the instruction module, go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-DIjTlN8Sk&t=2s AD offers this industry-specific course as part of its Flightto-the-Future (F2F) series of online drone pilot training with

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more training modules currently being developed. The Smart Farming module sits amongst a collection of advanced ground training courses, tailored for different industries and available to all students after they have completed the basic F2F program and received their FAA Part 107 drone pilot certification. It can also be purchased a-la-carte directly by anyone who has already obtained their Part 107 license.

With approximately 215,000 Part 107 commercial drone pilots in the U.S., and the growing trend of integrating artificial intelligence into commercial drone operations, AD has recognized that there exists a market of professionals that are looking for ways to monetize their licenses. Priced at $99, Smart Farming with Drones presents a short runway for gaining powerful skills to address an industry segment that’s growing at 13 percent annually, according to Grand View Research.

Formally designated as “402 Agriculture: Smart Farming with Drones,” a few highlights of the course include: •

Studying crop health applications - how spectral reflectance properties of vegetation are leveraged to help farmers earlydetect crop stress factors and mitigate losses.

•

Delving into the benefits of drone-based crop spraying how fertilizers and pesticides are applied strategically and safely, and how AI determines the exact areas that need to be watered, sprayed for insects, or thinned, thus saving time and money.

•

Investigating how advanced drone solutions can create smart irrigation systems, essentially a multivariate exercise in datadriven optimization.

•

Learning how drone-based sowing and damage assessments can become powerful operational enhancements, empowering farmers to leverage increasing value from smart farming operations.

Visit www.AquilineDrones.com for more information.

Researchers Develop Ice Cube That Doesn’t Melt or Grow Mold Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have developed a new type of cooling cube that could revolutionize how food is kept cold and shipped fresh without relying on ice or traditional cooling packs.

These plastic-free, “jelly ice cubes” do not melt, are compostable and anti-microbial, and prevent cross-contamination. “When ice melts, it’s not reusable,” said Gang Sun, a professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. “We thought we could make a so-called solid ice to serve as a cooling medium and be reusable. You can use it for 13 hours for cooling, collect it, rinse it with water and put it in the freezer to freeze again for the next use,” Sun added.

The researchers hope to eventually use recycled agriculture waste or byproduct as the coolant material.

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded a $485,000 grant for the research. For more information, read the UC Davis news article at the link that follows. https://www. ucdavis.edu/food/news/uc-davis-researchers-develop-ice-cube-doesntmelt-or-grow-mold?

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

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TURFGRASS INDUSTRY NEWS North Carolina State University Releases Lobo™ Zoysiagrass North Carolina State University’s Turfgrass Breeding and Genetics program, under the direction of Dr. Susana MillaLewis, has released Lobo™ Zoysiagrass (experimental name XZ 14069). Researchers selected Lobo from hundreds of nursery mates for its unusual combination of aggressive establishment and stress tolerance. These traits were later confirmed by six years of multi-location trials under low input conditions.

Lobo Zoysia will be exclusively licensed through Sod Solutions for commercial production and marketing. This release is NC State’s first warm-season turfgrass cultivar from Milla-Lewis’s breeding program that started in 2009.

Select NC sod producers, Sod Solutions, and the North Carolina Sod Producers Association (NCSPA) helped support the development of Lobo by teaming up to form Turf Research North Carolina (TRNC) in 2016. Growers made financial contributions over a six-year period to fund research and development of Lobo and other materials yet to come out of the program. All NCSPA participating growers contributing to the program will have exclusive access to the grasses when they are released.

Several of these sod growers hosted 200 square feet trial blocks of Lobo with impressive establishment results. One grower noted that stolons had already rooted at five points only three days after planting. “This grass is relentless,” he commented to Milla-Lewis.

Lobo Zoysia production will be certified by NC Crop Improvement to ensure the purity of this genetically unique turfgrass. Participating sod farms are steadily increasing the production of Lobo and limited amounts of this zoysiagrass will be available for purchase in the summer of 2022.

Milla-Lewis’s turfgrass breeding program focuses on droughttolerant warm-season species and tall fescue. She expects to release a new St. Augustinegrass cultivar in 2022.

Successful GIE+EXPO Announces New Name for 2022 Boasting significant attendance numbers, GIE+EXPO returned in-person to Louisville, Kentucky, with an increase in attendees from all segments of the outdoor power equipment and lawn and garden industry.

The tradeshow drew 23,922 total attendees in 2021, an increase from the shows in 2019 and 2018, and introduced a new name and brand for the annual event. Equip Exposition was debuted as the name for the 2022 show, which will take place in Louisville, Oct. 19-21, 2022. Registration for the 2022 show is now open at: wwwlequipexposition.com.

Campey Launches Sumo Designed TDS2 Sub Surface Sports Turf Decompactor Campey Turf Care Systems has combined with British manufacturer, Sumo, to produce the Campey TDS2 sub surface sports turf decompactor

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specifically for the turf care industry.

The heavy-duty twin-leg machine is designed to operate behind a 40-hp tractor on turf tires and can be easily adjusted to relieve compaction and aid drainage at depths between 9.5 cm (3.74 in.) and 37.5 cm (14.76 in.).

Weighing less than 700 kg (1,543.24 lb.) and fitted with Cat I and Cat II hitch, the Campey TDS2 is designed to deliver a subsurface shattering effect quickly and effectively with minimum surface disturbance. This creates fissures for grass roots to grow into, allows excess water to drain, and links up existing drainage, all without the need for external hydraulics or PTO. It is suitable for use on all areas where subsurface compaction is a problem, including football pitches, rugby pitches, and semirough on golf courses.

Siteone® Introduces New Line of Spreaders/Sprayers SiteOne® Landscape Supply launched its new, exclusive LESCO® ride-on spreaders and sprayers at the GIE+EXPO. Models include the LESCO 100, 200, 300, and 600 Applicator Models.

They feature 100 percent stainless steel frames and coated Peerless transaxle to resist corrosive granular chemicals for added life.

“This new collection of LESCO spreaders and sprayers is truly top-of-the-line, and we are excited to bring them to market and boost productivity for our customers,” said Nick Schomer, Senior Category Manager of Equipment at SiteOne. In addition to John Deere Financing options, over 550 SiteOne branches are now supported by Sheffield Financial. Learn more at SiteOne.com/LESCO-Financing or contact your local branch to schedule a demonstration. For more information visit www.

SiteOne.com/LESCO Trimax Celebrates 40 Years To celebrate 40 years of operation Trimax launched the Trimax Times, a newspaper which shares the Trimax story with nothing left to uncover. The highs, the lows, and some key reflections.

Not to mention some classic old school photos. To download Trimax Times, click on the link that follows. https://mcusercontent.com/87cef342f9490ce4ddb9f363f/ files/e5ac8534-693b-8232-80c2-35d3a74d984d/Saltex_ Newspaper_2021_LR_Spreads.pdf?_ In addition, Trimax has introduced a video which details how the company grew from humble beginnings in New Zealand to a world leader in commercial mowing, noting, “Our success is driven by our passion to help customers find a better way. Watch the video at this link. https://trimaxmowers.co.uk/our-story/?

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

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• Turf News magazine

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• TPI e-newsletter • Pest Control Guide (.EW VERSION IN 20 )

• Annual printed membership directory

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• Brochures for your customers that can be • Networking opportunities personalized with your logo ...and so much more!

Become a member of TPI and you’ll connect with turfgrass professionals all around the world!

TPI brings similar people, farms, institutions and industry partners together from very different parts of the world to share ideas and information that lead to progress for all.

When we all work together we grow and when we isolate ourselves we stagnate. TPI has helped Green Acres Turf Farm grow in many ways that likely would not have happened without the relationships made and information obtained through our TPI membership.

Gary Youmans | Green Acres Turf Farm, LLC, South Carolina

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TURFGRASS INDUSTRY NEWS Golf Saudi & Atlas Turf Officially Form New Joint Venture A joint venture initially agreed between Golf Saudi LLC and Atlas Turf International in 2019 to develop the region’s first internationally licensed golf and sports turf farm in Saudi Arabia has received its foreign investment license from the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Investment (MISA) and commercial registration from the Ministry of Commerce and will operate in Saudi Arabia as a limited liability joint venture company - Atlas Turf Arabian Agricultural Company.

Atlas Turf Arabia will develop and distribute some of the world’s most climatically adapted turf species throughout Saudi Arabia, and the Middle East, starting with Platinum TE™ Paspalum, with both Bermudagrass and Zoysia to follow in due course.

“Atlas Turf Arabia will serve as a vital link in the supply chain framework in Saudi Arabia, fulfilling the objectives of Vision 2030, by providing access to turfgrass solutions for Saudi-based organizations who require it,” commented Majed Al Sorour, CEO of Golf Saudi.

Atlas Turf Arabia will also work closely with GEO Foundation, the international non-profit that for the last 15 years has been entirely dedicated to accelerating sustainability and climate action across golf. In partnership with GEO, Golf Saudi has developed national and regional strategies to maximize environmental sustainability from initial land evaluation through to construction methodology and the Turf Farm will follow a similar sustainable pathway to certification to ensure an environmentally sustainable legacy.

John Holmes, president of Atlas Turf International, said: “The establishment of Atlas Turf Arabia and the opening of our first turf farm in Saudi Arabia is the culmination of our mission to provide high quality, sustainable solutions for turfgrass projects worldwide.”

Research and Development will form a cornerstone of the turf farm’s operations with Atlas Turf Arabia looking to utilize modern scientific practice to further develop a range of saline and drought resistant turfgrasses, which can also survive and grow in arid conditions and high temperatures. For further information on Atlas Turf Arabia and the newly established join venture, please visit either www.golfsaudi.com or www.atlasturf.com.

Farmer Sentiment Weakens as Production Cost Concerns Mount The Purdue University/ CME Group Ag Economy Barometer slipped another 5 points in November to a reading of 116 as producers continue to be pessimistic about both the current and future outlook of the agricultural economy. The Index of Current Conditions declined 7 points in November to a reading of 128, and the Index of Future Expectations fell 4 points to 110. November marked the lowest reading of 2021 for all three measures of producer sentiment and comparing year-over-year, the barometer is 30 percent lower than

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in November of 2020. The Ag Economy Barometer is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. This month’s survey was conducted November 15-19.

“Farmers are facing sharp rises in production costs coinciding with fluctuating crop and livestock prices, the prospect of changing environmental and tax policy, uncertainty over Covid-19, as well as a host of other issues, all of which are negatively impacting farmer sentiment,” said James Mintert, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture.

Rising production costs, including those for fertilizer, farm machinery, seed, and fuel, are of increasing concern to farmers. For example, in November 43 percent of survey respondents said they expect farm input prices to rise by more than 16 percent in the upcoming year. This compares with the actual average rate of farm input price inflation over the past decade of less than 2 percent.

Concerns over governmental policy and regulations remain elevated among farmers. On the November 2021 survey, 82 percent of respondents said they expect more restrictive environmental regulations, 74 percent expect higher estate taxes, and 77 percent expect higher income taxes in the years ahead. These percentages compare to results from the October 2020 survey when just 41 percent of producers expected more restrictive environmental regulations and 35 percent expected higher estate taxes over the next five years.

Read the full Ag Economy Barometer report online at: https:// ag.purdue.edu/commercialag/ageconomybarometer/.

USDA Conducting National Agricultural Classification Survey In December of 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) mailed the National Agricultural Classification Survey, https://www. nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/NACS/index.php, to more than a million potential U.S. agricultural producers, in preparation for the 2022 Census of Agriculture. The NACS asks survey recipients if they are involved in agricultural activity and for basic farm information. Response to the NACS is required by law for all who receive the questionnaire, even if the recipient is not an active farmer or rancher. Questionnaires can be completed online or by mail. The response deadline is January 24, 2022.

CroplandCROS Web App Updates Existing Geospatial Data Product for Agricultural Commodities in The U.S. In a press release issued on October 28, 2021, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and Agricultural Research Service announced enhancements to the CropScape web app, allowing users to more easily conduct area and statistical analysis of planted U.S. commodities.

Now known as CroplandCROS, the geospatial data product hosts the Cropland Data Layer (CDL). The NASS CDL is a 30-meter derived, crop-specific land cover classification that is created annually from satellite imagery.

To aid users, the app features a user guide (https://pdienterprise. azurecloudgov.us/portal/apps/sites/#/cropcros/pages/user-guide)

and instructional videos (https://pdienterprise.azurecloudgov.us/portal/apps/sites/#/ cropcros/pages/instructional-videos).

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

The Natural Choice.

#1 IN TURFGRASS QUALITY1 • #1 IN SPRING GREENUP2 • #1 IN FOR DIVOT RECOVERY3 • #1 IN SUMMER LIVING GROUND COVER %4

1GEORGIA, FLORIDA, KANSAS AND MARYLAND. 2INDIANA. 3ARKANSAS. 4CALIFORNIA. 2013-2017 NTEP BERMUDA TRIAL

elite vegetative bermudagrass “After growing IronCutter for 11 months, I’d recommend this bermudagrass to anyone!”

Plant a better vegetative Bermuda. One that grows vertically; one that harvests early, with deep roots. One with a legendary cold-tolerant lineage from the Oklahoma plains, bred by Dr. Charles Taliaferro (of Patriot, Northbridge, & Latitude 36® fame). IronCutterTM: A new, natural solution for sod producers wanting consistency, lowered inputs, and elite performance from bermudagrass forged for golf, sports turf, & landscapes.

-Eddie Moore (TPI Member), Collins-Wharf Sod Farm, Maryland

At MVP, we believe an elite variety can only reach its full potential with help from an exceptional sod producer. Producers like Eddie Moore & his family. Iff you agree, please contact us to join the IronCutter family!

The Moore Family

GENETICS LICENSING RESEARCH TTPI TP PI Tu TTurf urff N ewss Ja ew JJanuary/February anu nuar ar y/ y/ Feb Februa br uary ryy 22022 0222 02 News

www.mvpgenetics.com • info@mvpgenetics.com

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WEATHER WATCH

MODIS MAP Land Surface Temperature Barometer The map above was made using data collected during the daytime by the Moderate Resolutions Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), an instrument on NASA’s Terra and Aqua satellites. Please note that the type of “surface” MODIS measures varies as a function of the location. In some places, the measurement represents the skin temperature of the bare land surface. In other places, the temperature represents the skin temperature of whatever is on the land—including snow and ice, or the leafy canopy of forests and crop fields, or human-made structures such as pavement and building rooftops. So these maps should not be confused with the surface air temperature values that are given in typical weather reports.

Scientists monitor land surface temperature because the warmth rising off Earth’s landscapes influence our world’s weather and climate patterns. Likewise, land surface temperature also is influenced by changes in weather and climate patterns. So scientists routinely produce such maps to better understand the relationships between land surface temperature and changing weather and climate patterns. In particular, scientists want to monitor how the increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases impacts land surface temperature. Scientists also are interested to track where and how glaciers, ice sheets, and permafrost regions are changing as land surface temperatures change.

Commercial farmers also may use land surface temperature maps like these to evaluate water requirements for their crops during the summer when they are prone to heat stress. Conversely, in winter such maps can help farmers determine where and when their crops were exposed to damaging cold. For more information on the land surface temperature, or to see the most recent map, use the link that follows. https://neo.gsfc.nasa.gov/view.php?datasetId=MOD_LSTD_M

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TPI Turf News January/February 2022

TURF MARKETPLACE

Visit www.TurfGrassSod.org

S16

S-Series The global standard in wide area grass collecting.

Telephone: 864.332.9776 - info@trilo.com - www.trilo.com

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

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CLASSIFIED ADS FOR SALE: 2018 Brouwer 4000, 1700 hr., purchased new and in excellent condition. Asking $220,000 OBO. Please email inquiries to: turfinc@aol.com.

HELP WANTED: Assistant Farm Manager needed at NG Turf Farm near Calhoun, GA. Agricultural experience is required. Help with the daily operation of sod production, turf maintenance, irrigation, fertilizer & pesticide applications as well as the management of people. Salary range is $50k - $70k plus medical, vision, dental and other benefits offered.

Please do not apply in person, email resume to kerri@ngturf.com.

Visit TurfGrassSod.org to view the advertiser's photos or click on the camera icon in the electronic version of this page.

FOR SALE: 2005 Trebro AutoStack, Serial #099; 3600 hrs, updated and field ready, indoor storage, spare parts included.

Asking $125,000.

Please contact Gary at creeksidesodfarm@yahoo.com or call 586-749-3551.

FOR SALE: 2006 Trebro Harvestack, serial #277; 4,668 hrs; well maintained. Owner is retiring. Asking $64,900.

Please call Bill at 586-531-2012 for more information.

HELP WANTED: Farm Manager needed at NG Turf's 900-acre sod farm in Perry, GA. Agricultural experience is required.

Overseeing the daily operation of sod production, turf maintenance, irrigation, fertilizer & pesticide applications as well as the management of people. Salary range is $65k-$90k plus a house and other benefits offered.

Please do not apply in person, email resume to kerri@ngturf.com.

FOR SALE: 2013 Auto Stack 11 Small Roll Harvester with dual auto steer. This unit was purchased new in 2013. Currently has 3700 hours used daily. Well maintained, newer tires, new conveyor belt, rebuilt accumulator tray, many extra parts. Very clean asking, $150,000.

For more information or pictures call Jay Savage 413-774-4935.

FOR SALE: 2008 Auto Stack, currently has 8200 hrs. but is still being used. New conveyor belt in 2021. New roll ups trays in 2020. Owner operated since day one. No expense spared.

Machine had pallet less forks on it but I do have a brand new set of the solid forks. Machine is stored in a heated shop during the off season. Asking $95,000 USD. Please contact Albert at albert@vanderwoudesod.com or 905975-0850.

FOR SALE: 1979 Brouwer 24” roll on Ford 3600. One owner, field ready. Asking $7,500.

Please contact Mike at mikejuip@hotmail.com.

FOR SALE: 2019 Progressive TD92, Purchased at the end of 2019. It was a primary for 2020 and half of 2021. Located in Lowndesboro, Alabama, 36752. Asking $20,000 Please call Carey at 334-391-6955 or email to: riverbendsodfarm@gmail.com.

FOR SALE: Two Spyder Forklifts. Both need minor repairs but operate as they should. Upgraded to Donkey forklifts and these are now extras. Located in SE Wisconsin. Asking $4,500/ea.

Please call Randy at 262-498-2628 for more info.

FOR SALE: 2015 Brouwer Robomax, 1932 hrs., ready to go to the field and cut. Asking $165,000 and is located in Oklahoma, 74733.

Please contact Colton at 913-254-9560 for more information.

FOR SALE: 2014 Brouwer Robomax, 1809 hrs., Location: Olathe, KS 66062. We took this unit in our trade for a new model. We put it through our shop and it is ready to go to your field.

Asking $139,500.

Please give us a call today at 913-254-9560.

TPI CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING— TARGETED TO TURFGRASS PRODUCERS WORLDWIDE Buying or selling equipment, supplies, properties, or looking for employees or employment opportunities?

TPI classified advertising is the answer! Reach your target market with a free or low cost classified ad in Turf News magazine and on the TPI website at www.TurfGrassSod.org.

The classified ad section is the first place many TPI members look when they receive the most recent issue of Turf News magazine and the most viewed area on the TPI website.

All classified ads are posted to the TPI website within 24 hours of approval and featured in the next issue of Turf News!

TPI Member: FREE / Non-Member: $50 Rates are determined in one-inch vertical increments.

Please estimate approximately 65 words per inch.

Photos are limited to the website and no more than two photographs per ad.

View full details at www.TurfGrassSod.org/classifieds Deadline: 30-days prior to Turf News issue date (e.g., March/April Turf News issue, ad is due by February 1).

Upload your classified ad at: www.TurfGrassSod.org/classifieds or send to Geri Hannah via email: ghannah@TurfGrassSod.org Fax: 847-649-5678 Mail: Turfgrass Producers International 444 E. Roosevelt Road #346 | Lombard, IL 60148 U.S.A All classified ads are subject to review; TPI does not endorse any ad and reserves the right to edit or decline any ad.

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TPI Turf News January/February 2022

AD INDEX FOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY TURF NEWS MAGAZINE Advanced Equipment Sales …………………...……………. 35, 69

Progressive Turf Equipment, Inc. ….………………………….… 41

A-List …….………................……….....…………....….………… 13

R&R Products, Inc. ……….……………..……………………….. 59

Brouwer Kesmac ……………………………....….………...… 19, 69

Sod Production Services ……………………………….....……… 51

Cameron Financial ……………………..………………………… 69

Sod Solutions ® …………………………...…..……………………. 63

FireFly Automatix ………………………………………………… 61

STEC Equipment, Inc. …………...…...…..……………………. 45

Jonathan Green & Sons, Inc. …………….……………………… 37

TAMANET (USA) …………………….………………………... 47

KWMI …………………………………………..………..……. 3, 69

Trebro Manufacturing, Inc. ……………………………………… 43

Landmark Seed Company ……………...….. Outside Back Cover

Trilo ® /Vanmac bv …………………..……………………………. 69

Magnum ……………………………...… Inside Front Cover, 28-29

Turfgrass Producers International …….….……....... 27, 33, 65, 69

Mountain View Seeds ………………..…...………..…………. 5, 67

Van Vuuren Machines ………….…………...…. Inside Back Cover

WELCOME NEW & RETURNING MEMBERS Ned Dargan Dargan Turf Farm 1301 S. Charleston Road Darlington, SC 29532 843-307-1600 neddargan@bellsouth.net Christopher Cowburn Professional Lawns Tawd Side Farm, Deans Lane, Lalthom Liverpool, Lancashire L40 4RL United Kingdom 44 1704 895765 chriscowburn123@gmail.com Lanye Thorton Swan Falls Sod Farm 3224 Swan Falls Road Kuna, ID 83634 208-880-3810 swanfallssodfarm@gmail.com

Peter Rasmussen Room 17H Liangxiang Ge, Lilinyuan Shenzhen, Guangdong China 86-1376-046-5501 peter.rasmussen@strigroup.com Katrina Leturno Circle T Sod Farms 6441 S. Suncoast Blvd.

Homosassa, FL 34446 352-697-1378 circletsodfarms@yahoo.com Dane Milligan Sod South 2885 Ash Little River Road Longwood, NC 28452 910-540-6452

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

Ralph Daily Quality Turf Inc. PO Box 1330 San Jacinto, CA 92581 951-654-7721 ap@qturf.com Julio “Jay” Corte III Eastern Shore Ag. 24001 State Highway 181 Daphne, AL 36526 251-990-5768 office@easternshoreag.com Zach Kuenzi Prime Source/Albaugh, LLC 1525 NE 36th Street Ankeny, IA 50021 800-247-8013 zach.kuenzi@albaughllc.com

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TURFGRASS INDUSTRY CALENDAR Editor’s note: The following information was up to date as of December 9, 2021. Please check the websites listed for the most current information as you do your planning.

2022 JANUARY January 10-14 Green & Growin’ 22 Greensboro, NC http://greenandgrowin.com January 12 North Carolina Sod Producers Annual Meeting In conjunction with Green & Grown’ 22 Greensboro, NC https://ncsod.org/events/ January 11-13 Landscape Ontario Congress Redefined Trade Show Toronto, Ontario, Canada https://horttrades.com/event January 10-12 Tennessee Turfgrass Association and Sod Producers Conference Murfreesboro, TN https://ttaonline.org January 17-20 STMA Conference and Exhibition Savannah, GA https://www.stma.org/conference/ January 18-20 Landscape Ontario Congress Redefined 2022 Virtual Conference Online https://horttrades.com/event January 19 SC Sod Producers Association Meeting Neeses, SC Phone Hank Kerfoot 803-600-4835 January 24-25 Turfgrass Producers of Texas Winter Conference Bay City, TX https://texasgrass.com/events/

February 14-17 TPI 2022 International Education Conference & Field Day San Diego, CA https://www.TurfGrassSod. org/events/

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February 20-22 Turf Australia NxGen Conference Port Stephens, NSW https://www.turfaustralia.com.au/events/nxgen-2021/

MARCH March 1-2 Michigan Green Industry Association Trade Show & Convention Novi, MI http://www.landscape.org/tradeshow March 8-10 New England Regional Turfgrass Conference & Show Rhode Island Convention Center - Providence https://www.NERTF.org/

APRIL April 28-29 Turfgrass Producers of Florida Annual Meeting & Field Day Tampa, FL https://floridaturf.com/events/

JULY July 7-8 - Rescheduled from September 2021 ETP (European Turfgrass Producers} Turf Show Expo & Field Day Pattensen, Germany https://turfgrassproducers.eu/category/event/

JULY July 10-15 - Rescheduled from July 11-16, 2021 ITRC 14th International Turfgrass Research Conference Copenhagen, Denmark https://itrc2022.org/

FEBRUARY February 1-3 TPI Virginia Turfgrass Council Annual Conference Glen Allen, VA https://vaturf.org/annual-conference/ February 5-10 GCSAA Conference & Trade Show Trade Show February 9-10 San Diego, CA https://www.gcsaaconference.com/future-dates

If you are planning an industry event of interest to our readers please send the information to: creynolds@TurfGrassSod.org and put “Industry Calendar” in the subject line.

72

TPI Turf News January/February 2022

We’ve Got

Seed Down To A Science.

180

IQ

intelligence

At Landmark Seed, we spend a lot of time thinking about sod seeds. And it shows. With a dedication to quality assurance, our Turf Producers’ Select™ (TPS) seed blends combine superior

genetics with top-performing, complementary seed varieties proven to produce pristine sod quality. We work with each grower to prescribe blends that perform beautifully for their customers’ specific region, environment or application. Backed by hours of performance testing—and proven by satisfied

CE

F O R LO W

AI

U NABLE T

RF

SU

ST

PUT

ALLI

IN

AN

sod growers everywhere—so you can Seed With Confidence™.

l a n d m a r k s e e d .c o m

To learn more about our current TPS sod seed blends for sports, lawn and landscaping applications, contact Larry Humphreys at larry@turfproducersselect.com.