2024 January/February Turf News

January/February 2024

7XUI 1HZV A publication of Turfgrass Producers International

The only magazine devoted exclusively to turfgrass production

Meet Your 2024 President

,1 7+,6 ,668( Preview Orlando 2024 TPI International Conference

... And Much More

THE PREMIER PLACE FOR FIELD NETTING

INNOVATION YOU COUNT ON QUALITY YOU DEPEND ON SERVICE YOU RELY ON Phone: 1 (800) 330-0857 | 1 (913) 783-4600 Email: info@magnumenp.com Website: www.magnumenp.com

January/February 2024

7XUI 1HZV A publication of Turfgrass Producers International

The only magazine devoted exclusively to turfgrass production

Meet Your 2024 President

IN THIS ISSUE FEATURE ARTICLES

,1 7+,6 ,668( Preview Orlando 2024 TPI International Conference

FOCUS: Marketing Tips & Techniques

... And Much More

Cover: Diane Mischel & Family TPI Nashville 2023 Photo by BE Productions TURF NEWS Vol. 48 No. 1 January/February 2024 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 Roed ARoed@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@TurfgrassSod.org 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

10 Marketing—Tips to Hit Your Target Tips to define your target market and plan your strategy to meet their needs.

12 TPI President Diane Mischel—Carrying Out a Vision Your 2024 TPI President is carrying out her vision for her farm and for TPI members.

20 Future Leaders Fellowship Spotlight Get to know one more member of the TPI Future Leaders Fellowship first cohort.

24 Highlights—TPI 2024 International Education Conference & Field Day Highlights of the upcoming Conference show why Orlando is the place to be February 4-8.

34 FloriTurf—TPI 2024 Field Day Host The folks at FloriTurf will have lots of things for you to see at the 2024 Field Day. 38 Spotlight on Nathan Whitaker—TPI Leadership Consultant Get to know the leader of the FLF program. He is an inspirational writer, speaker, consultant and all-around very interesting person.

40 Announcing the New TPI Exchange Program The Leadership, Innovation, and Technology (LIT) Committee provides information on this new and exciting program for TPI Members.

42 Public Comment Period for the Proposed U.S. Sod Checkoff Read the letters from two industry associations that support the U.S. Sod Checkoff and why they do.

46 Evergreen Turf Ukraine Read how a sod producer in Ukraine is dealing with the war and working at surviving.

52 Forecast 2024—Navigating a Tricky Economic Terrain Experts urge vigilance as high interest rates and a tight labor market are offset by low unemployment, moderating inflation, and an improving housing market.

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Rooted in Research—What Species is Best for a Low Input Lawn?

— “It’s Complicated.”

Dr. Cale A. Bigelow discusses some of the research that looks at the relationship between grass species, and how they perform with reductions in specific inputs such as weed control and fertilization.

DEPARTMENTS President's TURF…...…..................…………2 Three Month Climate Predictions.......66 Executive Director's TURF …...................... 4 Weather Watch…................................68 TPI News…………………….…................…6 Classified Ads.........................................70 The Lawn Institute News ……...............8 & 9 Advertisers Index.....................................71 Happenings.................................................60 Welcome New & Returning Members......71 Turfgrass Industry News ..................62 & 64 Turfgrass Industry Calendar...................72

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

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2024

PRESIDENT’S TURF

TPI Board of Trustees Officers

The Experience Economy

Diane Mischel

I attended my first TPI conference in Orlando in 1990. I was six years old. Did I attend any sessions? No, my memories are of going to Magic Kingdom and playing with all my cousins in the pool at Fort Wilderness. But I knew that TPI was the reason we were all there.

In 1999 the summer conference and field day was in my home state, the first in my lifetime, and that was exciting. As a 15-year-old I was now more involved in the business than I was at six. I had started attending some Michigan Sod Grower Association events—they would do a ski weekend in the winter (fun!), an annual “Chicken Coop” meeting every spring (it was started by earlier generations, and the first one was held in an actual chicken coop), and occasional on-farm events in the summer (I distinctly remember an extension agent doing a seminar on grubs, gross!).

Prior to the summer show the group got together at a member’s farm to assemble “Welcome to Michigan” bags for the TPI attendees. It was a beautiful sunny day, with lots of chatter as we made an assembly line to stuff MSGA coolers with Michigan favorites like Faygo & Vernors pop, Better Made chips, and Mackinac Island fudge. Later, the buzz at the field day surrounded the demo of a new automated harvester. I could feel the enthusiasm of the industry and I felt part of something special.

My parents continued to bring the family to TPI events when schedules allowed, and those events had a strong influence on my passion and desire to be involved in the turfgrass industry. Some of my core memories happened around a TPI event. The first time I took public transportation was from the host hotel in downtown Spokane with my cousins as we navigated our way on the city bus to a small amusement park on the outskirts. The thrill of independence and camaraderie!

Now that I am attending the sessions to listen to the speakers, I notice the tips for “how to attract and keep key team members” mirror my story. If we are looking to engage the next generation of employees in our business, they need to feel valued, inspired, and connected. We are experiential. We feel things through experiences.

Experiences like “Casino Night” in San Diego, the “Songwriters Showcase” in Nashville, and the upcoming “Carnival Royale” in Orlando.

I encourage you to attend TPI conferences and bring the key people from your family and business. Start experiencing that deeper investment in our farms, our businesses, and our industry. Feel the excitement, make a memory! I’ll see you there.

President Diane Mischel DeBuck’s Sod Farm, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-810-653-2201 office@debucksodfarm.com Vice President Daniel Huggett Columbus Turf Nursery – U.S.A. +1-740-983-6580 danielh@columbus-turf.com Secretary-Treasurer Larry LeMay A-G Sod Farms, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-559-289-2302 llemay@agsod.com Past President Bob McCurdy McCurdy Sod Farms – U.S.A. +1-731-692-3515 mccurdysodfarms@gmail.com Executive Director Casey Reynolds, PhD Turfgrass Producers International – U.S.A. +1-847-649-5555 CReynolds@TurfgrassSod.org Trustees Charles Harris Buy Sod – U.S.A. +1-910-992-6080 charris@buysod.com Eric Hjort Tater Farms – U.S.A. +1-904-692-2246 eric_hjort@taterfarms.com Albrecht Knigge Rasenland – Germany 495 101 915361 knigge@rasenland.de Lindy Murff Murff Turf Farm, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-281-328-2812 lmurff@murffturf.com Adam Russell MVP Genetics – U.S.A. +1-971-718-4525 arussell@mvpgenetics.com Eric Webb Raft River Sod – U.S.A. +1-208-878-5740 eric@raftriversod.com

Wade Wilbur Sod Shop – U.S.A. +1-913-814-0044 wade@sodshops.com

Yours faithfully,

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DeBuck’s Sod Farm, Inc.

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S TURF New Year, New and Re-newed Resources

Casey Reynolds, PhD

It’s hard to believe that 2024 is upon us. I hope the holidays were wonderful for each of you and we’re all well-rested as we prepare to leap off into another year. On that note, let’s have a quick test to see how well-rested we all are. Did I use the term “leap” off into another year on accident? (pause for thought….) Of course not, 2024 is, in fact, a leap year.

We do have a few new items planned for 2024 including launching a few new publications along with updating old ones. We hope to have a new Future Leaders Fellowship class, a new TPI Exchange program, and maybe even a new website promoting natural grass athletic fields. Be on the lookout for more information on that initiative later this year.

If you’re like me and you often wonder why we add an extra day to the calendar every few years, the answer according to Almanac.com is as follows: Adding an extra day every four years keeps our calendar aligned correctly with the astronomical seasons, since a year according to the Gregorian calendar (365 days) and a year according to Earth’s orbit around the Sun (approximately 365.25 days) are not the same length of time. Without this extra day, our calendar and the seasons would gradually get out of sync. So, hypothetically, after 100 years the seasons would be off by 25 days. Also hypothetically, after several hundred years I guess winter would be summer and summer would be winter. As if the weather isn’t already unpredictable enough…

If you can make it to Orlando for our 2024 TPI International Education Conference & Field Day, we’ll be discussing much more about these items there. We have a jam-packed Conference full of education, activities, TLI fundraisers, and of course, Field Day where you can see all the latest in the new equipment and products our industry has to offer. Thanks so much to you, our TPI members, for coming out strong to make our events such a great time.

We certainly hope to see you there!

So, what does this mean for 2024? Well, an extra day for the grass to grow of course! For us here at TPI, it means we have an extra day to create new resources, plan conferences, and do all the other things that come with serving our association.

Lastly, if you’re wondering who to thank (or blame) for leap years, I guess it’s this wonderful home we call Earth.

Apparently, making one orbit around the sun in exactly 365 days was just too much to ask from her, and she needs that extra 0.25 days to get there. But hey, the older I get, the more I can relate to that, so I’m not passing judgment.

And you never know, maybe that one extra day this year will make a difference in all we can do!

Cheers,

C asey Reynolds

We have a jam-packed Conference full of education, activities, TLI fundraisers, and of course, Field Day where you can see all the latest in the new equipment and products our industry has to offer.

Please follow us on X (formally known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram!

@TPITurfTalk @TheLawnInstitute

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@TurfgrassProducersInternational @TheLawnInstitute

@TheLawnInstitute

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

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TPI NEWS

WHAT TO KNOW

DON’T MISS OUT ON CONFERENCE & FIELD DAY IN ORLANDO Registration for this Winter’s 2024 TPI International Education Conference & Field Day is open. Make sure that you reserve your spot and your room for this most important meeting February 4-8 in Orlando. Plan on bringing the whole family. Further details can be found in the ad on pages 22 & 23 of this issue and the article on pages 24-32.

2024 TPI MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS ARE UNDERWAY Be sure that you don’t miss out on all the important things going on in the turfgrass sod industry. Renew your membership or join now to be included in the 2024 TPI Membership Directory and to receive all 2024 TPI publications. Please call our office at 847-649-5555, or email Allie Roed at ARoed@TurfgrassSod.org.

TPI FUTURE LEADERS FELLOWSHIP MAY STILL HAVE AN OPENING FOR YOU!!

The 2024 TPI Future Leaders Fellowship class will be announced in Orlando at the TPI International Education Conference & Field Day. If you or any of your employees are interested in applying, please contact Allie Roed at ARoed@TurfgrassSod.org or call our TPI office at 847-649-5555.

NEW TPI EXCHANGE PROGRAM INTRODUCED TPI is excited to announce a new TPI Exchange Program. The program’s goal is to provide members with a two-way exchange of information and experience to assist all participants in helping grow their business. Please see pages 40 & 41 of this issue to learn more.

U.S. SOD CHECKOFF PROGRAM UPDATE The public comment period for the proposed U.S. Sod Checkoff program was open from October 15th to December 15th. See page 42 of this issue for more information. And attend the 2024 International Education Conference & Field Day in Orlando for the most up-to-date information.

TPI HAS A BRAND-NEW WEBSITE If you haven’t done so already, take time now to check out the NEW TPI website at www.TurfgrassSod.org and see what it has to offer.

WATCH THE TPI 2023 CONFERENCE VIDEOS Want to see a recap of TPI’s 2023 conferences in Nashville, TN, and Michigan? Visit the new TPI website and scroll to the home page for a recap video.

HEAR ABOUT TPI MEMBERSHIP CONSULTANT’S REPORT IN ORLANDO TPI’s membership consultant has analyzed our membership model, communications, benefits, and more. Make sure that you attend the presentation on the report at the 2024 TPI International Education Conference & Field Day February 4-8, in Orlando, Florida. Also continue to check upcoming issues of Turf News for additional information on the report and the planned implementation of suggestions.

THE PROCESS OF RE-WRITING TPI PUBLICATION UNDERWAY The process of re-writing the 2006 TPI publication Guideline Specifications for Turfgrass Sodding has begun but it is not too late to provide input. If you use this old publication and have ideas for new content or edits, please reach out to Dr. Casey Reynolds at CReynolds@TurfgrassSod.org or 847-7371846. Also let him know if you have any suggestions for additional publications.

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TPI Turf News January/February 2024

TPI NEWS

WHAT TO KNOW

TPI STATE AND COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVES’ COUNCIL IS RETURNING! We want to hear from TPI members about what is going on in their region and what TPI can do to better serve our members locally. Please contact Allie Roed at ARoed@TurfgrassSod.org if you are interested in nominating yourself or another TPI member from your area!

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 are willing to serve on an exploratory committee, please contact Dr. Casey Reynolds at CReynolds@TurfgrassSod.org or 847-737-1846.

FOLLOW TPI AND TLI ON SOCIAL MEDIA Editor's Note: X was formerly known as Twitter Turfgrass Producers International

The Lawn Institute

X: @TPITurfTalk

X: @TheLawnInstitute

Facebook: @TurfgrassProducersInternational

Facebook: @TheLawnInstitute Instagram: @TheLawnInstitute

EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR TPI MEMBERS TPI has an Employee Health Insurance Program for TPI member farms! Check out our TPI website or visit https://www.associationpros.com/tpi-inquiryform for more information on how to apply.

INTERESTED IN CROP INSURANCE? TPI is continuing its work with the EPA on the proposed 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan to make sure that sod farmers are included in important initiatives. TPI is also working with the EPA on proposed changes to the use of the herbicide Atrazine and other pesticides. Please contact Dr. Casey Reynolds at CReynolds@TurfgrassSod.org or 847-737-1846 if you have questions.

TPI MEDIA KITS AVAILABLE TPI Supplier Members: As you plan your advertising budget for 2024 be sure you consider all of the opportunities to reach TPI Producer Members. Check out those options in the NEW 2024 TPI Media Kit. Please contact Geri Hannah at 847-649-5555 or email GHannah@TurfgrassSod.org. The full media kit can also be found online at: https://issuu.com/tpiturfnews/docs/tpi_media_kit_2024.

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

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THANK YOU TO ALL 2023 DONORS The Lawn Institute sincerely thanks ALL members that donated to The Foundation in 2023. 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 /2023.

FOREVER GREEN/LEGACY GIVING Hank & Mary Kerfoot (Modern Turf) For more information contact the TPI office at 800-405-8873 or 847-649-5555.

PLATINUM PATRON/over $10,000 Donkey Forklifts—Lon Kraft Heritage Turf, Inc.—Ron Nixon Magnum—Steven DoveS Prime Sod—Ryan Thomas

GREEN PARTNER/$1,000–$4,999 Saratoga Sod Farm, Inc.—Steve Griffen SelecTurf, Inc.—Jim Keeven Seven Cities Sod, Inc.—Keaton Frye Tater Farms —Eric Hjort Tri-Turf Sod Farms, Inc.—Jason Pooler Turf Merchants, Inc. —Nancy Aerni Turf Producers Association —Jenny Carritt

500 CLUB/$500–$999 A & W Southern Sod Farm —William Head

All Seasons Grass, Inc.—Irene Gavranovic-Sipes Blue Grass Enterprises, Inc. —Michael Loan

GOLD BENEFACTOR/$5,000–$9,999

Central Turf Farms, Inc.—Keith Wittig Coosa Valley Turf Farms, LLC —Donald Coyle

Cameron Financial —Darryl Yochem Turf Mountain Sod, Inc.—Linda Bradley

DMG Turf, Inc.—Clay Gardner Eagle Lake Professional Landscape Supply—Eric Heuver Evergreen Turf, Inc.—Jeff Nettleton Green Acres Turf Farm —Gary Youmans

GREEN PARTNER/$1,000–$4,999 A-G Sod Farms —John Addink Bethel Farms —Will Nugent Biograss Sod Farm—Don Heslop Buena Vista Turf Farm—Mike Selman Columbus Turf Nursery—Daniel Huggett Coombs Sod Farms, LLC —John Coombs DeBuck’s Sod Farm, Inc.—Diane Mischel DeBuck's Sod Farm of NY, Inc.—Greg DeBuck Emerald View Turf Farm—Eddie Keeven FireFly Automatix, Inc.—David Collier Heartland Turf Farms—Tom Keeven, Jr. Jasperson Sod Farm—Randy Jasperson Landmark Seed Company—on behalf of Larry Humphreys Laytonsville Turf Farm—Doug Lechlider McCurdy Sod Farms—Bob McCurdy Milberger Turfgrass, LLC—Arthur Milberger Modern Turf, Inc.—Hank Kerfoot Murff Turf Farm, Inc.—Lindy Murff Progressive Turf Equipment *OD —Luke Janmaat Sales Midwest, Inc.—Tim Wollesen

JB Instant Lawn, Inc.—Mark Tribbett Landmark Seed Company—Ben Boehme M & M Turf Farm—Mike Wagner McPheeters Turf, Inc.—William McPheeters Oregon Turf & Tree Farms—Tom DeArmond Pine Island Turf Nursery, Inc.—Chip Lain Quality Turf, Inc.—Morgan Heimbach R.B. Farms LLC —Robbie Brady Reid Sod Farm—Randall Reid Sod Solutions—Tobey Wagner Sporting Valley Turf Farms—Matt Wimer Todd Valley Farms, Inc.—Wayne Thorson Vandemark Sod Farms—Trevor Vandemark Young’s Turf Farm—Daniel Young West Coast Turf—John Foster Winstead Turf Farms Bobby Winstead 8PFSOFS FarNT—(SBIBN 4JNNPOT

For more information on how you can support TLI and make a donation in 202 contact the TPI office at 800-405-8873 or 847-649-5555 You may also donate at TheLawnInstitute.org. Contributions help support turfgrass research, education, scholarships, and UIF natural grass campaign.

Donations made in the calendar year will receive recognition in our publications and personal recognition in The Lawn Institute booth at the following levels:

FOREVER GREEN/LEGACY GIVING

PLATINUM PATRON/OVER $10,000 GOLD BENEFACTOR/$5,000—$9,999

GREEN PARTNER/$1,000–$4,999 500 CLUB/$500—$999

Join your peers in contributing to The Lawn Institute to help more consumers tap into the great resources it offers!

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TPI Turf News January/February 2024

TLI WORKS FOR YOU! AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE The Lawn Institute provides scientific, fact-based information on the value and management of lawns while funding academic research to advance the industry.

SCIENCE

ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION

The Lawn Institute funds research at universities worldwide to better understand the many benefits of natural grass.

The Lawn Institute’s core mission is to encourage the improvement of lawns through research and education.

The Lawn Institute is a trusted, reliable resource for the latest scientific research on the many benefits of natural grass lawns.

Scan the QR CODE to visit the Lawn Institute website!

You’ll find invaluable resources on Environmental Benefits, timeless Lawn Care Basics and compelling tips in the Helpful Hints Blog. We invite you to check back often to gain access to the most current updates!

www.thelawninstitute.org TPI Turf News January/February 2024

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MARKETING—TIPS TO HIT YOUR TARGET

By Suz Trusty Marketing is most frequently designed by company personnel or those contracted to work with them to “get out the message, spread the word, tell our story.” The entire marketing “program” or “campaign” is based on the information the company wants to deliver.

It is a logical concept and often a powerful one. How will people be drawn to buy from you if they don’t know what you have available to sell? Certain factors are essential to establish recognition of the existence of a product or service in the mind of a potential buyer or user.

A major problem with this approach occurs when the information delivered is inconsistent with what the potential purchasers want to know or think they need to know. With the massive firehose of information blasted at consumers every hour of every day, it’s an issue of selfpreservation to shut out the messages that they don’t believe pertain to them.

A secondary problem is the assumption by the company that “one size fits all” in their marketing campaign. It’s like the oft-repeated adage that if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

So, the first step in developing an effective marketing program is determining the targeted purchaser, or in most cases, purchasers. That can be complicated. For sod producers, those purchasers often are identified first by a category. Depending on the products and services offered, there may be a myriad of categories including homeowner, golf course superintendent, sports field manager, parks and recreation director, athletic director, school system administrator, commercial property developer, landscape contractor, and retailer. Multiple, significant sub-categories are often contained within those broad categories, some of which may not be targeted purchasers for a company’s products or services. The more precisely a company reviews those categories and subcategories to define their targeted purchasers the more effective their marketing program can become.

Armed with that knowledge, the next step is connecting with individuals within the targeted subcategories to first determine the details of where the products or services offered would be used. That could be as simple as asking a homeowner how they want to use the different areas of their lawn. Or, it could be as complex as meeting with a parks and recreation director to break down what types of sports fields are in their system; what types of athletes use those fields as identified by age, size, and skill levels; how frequently each of these groups use the fields noted by hours of use; the knowledge and skill levels of the field

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managers; the staff available to perform field maintenance; the equipment available to them for field care; the availability and types of irrigation for each field; and the budget allocated for personnel, equipment, and field care materials such as fertilizers and pest control products.

Armed with that information, the next step is to find out from them which aspects or characteristics of the products or services under consideration are important to them.

Again, the depth of the information needed from them could be simple, or complex.

At this stage of the process, the company interviewer will likely be able to determine not only what they deem important and want or think they need to know but also the knowledge level of the potential purchaser as related to the products or services offered. All this is important for understanding the range of information that will be required to fill their anticipated needs and, if necessary, to provide additional information they don’t yet “know they need to know.”

The next step is finding out their preferred method of receiving information to develop marketing materials that match that preference. For some subcategories, such as homeowners who take the do-it-yourself approach, the matching marketing method might be a step-bystep YouTube presentation developed specifically for the products offered to consumers in that subcategory with that knowledge level. Those with more complex projects may prefer to work directly with the company’s personnel to develop a detailed program designed specifically for those projects. The marketing focus for this subcategory could be the offer of that service.

Use these tips to define your target markets and plan your strategy to meet their needs.

Suz Trusty is co-editor of Turf News.

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

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TPI PRESIDENT DIANE MISCHEL— CARRYING OUT A VISION

By Suz Trusty twins, Alan and Arlene. Eleanor told Leo he would have to find a way to replace her in the fields. They had just moved into a home that had a large front yard that needed grass. Leo was surprised at the price of bluegrass seed at the local grain elevator but impressed with how the grass turned out. He harvested that front lawn as his first sod crop and gave the money to Eleanor for Christmas.” Leo and Eleanor bought the Davison Farm in the early 1960s.

Alan was in third grade when they moved to that farm.

Greg and Diane Mischel. Diane is the 2024 TPI President.

Photo by Allison Elliot

Diane Mischel is a dynamic, charismatic leader, welcoming and encouraging. She guides the way, charting the path to a bright future for our industry, broadening our horizons, embracing innovation, and strengthening connections, always building for the future. As TPI’s 2024 President, she looks forward to growing the impact and influence of the association. She says, “My personal goal is to better serve our U.S. and international members by increasing our connections throughout the world.”

Diane Mischel is a third-generation sod farmer, owner of DeBuck’s Sod Farm, Inc., in Davison, Michigan. She was appointed to a one-year Board of Trustees position

by President Eric Heuver in 2020 to fill the slot vacated

by Jim Keeven, who moved up to Secretary/Treasurer after serving two years as a trustee. She was elected to a three-year Board position in 2021, elected to move up to Secretary/Treasurer in 2022, and served as Vice President in 2023.

The DeBuck Legacy Sod farming is a family affair for Diane. The background story is reported on the DeBuck’s Sod Farm website https://DeBuckSodFarm.com in the “Who We Are” section.

“Leo and Eleanor DeBuck were married in 1943 and started their life together as vegetable farmers in the Mount Clemens, MI, area. In 1956, with five children already at home, they were surprised to give birth to 12

The five DeBuck brothers at the 2023 Detroit Conference. From left to right: David, Marvin, Norman, Alan, and Leonard. Photo by BE Productions

The website continues, “From their eight children, the five boys all owned and operated independent sod farms: Marvin in Macomb, MI; Norman in Belleville, MI; Alan in Davison, MI; David in Delavan, WI; and Leonard in Pine Island, NY. Four of those farms have now transitioned to the third generation as Leo and Eleanor’s grandchildren work to preserve their legacy.”

Growing up on the Sod Farm Like many sod producers, Diane’s parents, Alan and Dawn DeBuck, raised their family on the farm. “I was in first grade when we moved into the ranch my grandparents had built on the farm,” says Diane. Diane is the youngest, with an older sister and a brother in the middle. While her sister was more involved with school and sports activities, Diane and her brother spent a lot of time helping on the farm growing up. “As the youngest, I ended up just tagging along most of the time,” she says.

Leo and Eleanor set the example of attending TPI events.

Alan and Dawn continued that and made it a family affair by bringing the kids along. The other DeBuck brothers did the same, giving the kids the bonus of hanging out with their cousins. That combination of experiencing first-hand TPI Turf News January/February 2024

the workings of a small business balanced with exposure to the broader industry, inspired Diane to pursue a career in turfgrass. As she headed to college, she was still uncertain if that meant a path towards researching innovative turf concepts or back to the farm.

Those College Years

Diane, her brother Kevin DeBuck, and Todd Bowen, a farm manager at that time, attend a session during the 2005 TPI Conference in Cancun. Diane was in her junior year at MSU and had just met Greg.

She chose Michigan State University (MSU) and the crop and soil sciences department. At that time, the concept of grass breeding and genetics sounded interesting. “That first year, I worked for a professor in the turfgrass research department and did data gathering,” says Diane. “It didn’t take me long to decide that going back to the sod farm was a better fit for me. The lab environment was tedious.

I need more time outside and interaction with people, not just plants.”

That decision kept her in the crop and soil sciences department but changed her class choices. She had taken a lot she didn’t need that first year, like Calculus II. Now she selected additional classes in business, accounting, and marketing, focusing on things that would help her manage the farm. Though she was aiming for a four-year degree, she did a semester of classes designed for the twoyear turfgrass certificate program which finished about six weeks earlier to allow extra time for summer internships.

At that point, the Davison farm grew only Kentucky bluegrass. Diane says, “I knew an internship was my chance to experience something completely different; to work with warm-season grasses, to observe a multilocation operation, and to see effective policies for managing a business at that scale. That was my goal.”

Her parents had gone on many of the TPI study tours with Ike and Trisha Thomas and helped her network with them and set up the internship in Granbury, Texas. Diane says, “But when I called and asked to speak with Ike, they told me, ‘He no longer works here.’ What I felt was panic.

What I said was I’ll call back.” One of her professors was TPI Turf News January/February 2024

from Texas and knew Arthur Milberger. He connected with Arthur, learned of the major transitions and buyouts happening at Turfgrass America, and got the internship reestablished.

An internship during those tumultuous times wasn’t always smooth sailing. Diane says, “Right after I got there, I had to sit at a boardroom table with the new owners and explain why they should keep me as an intern and why they should pay me. I kept my cool. I told them, I’m here now but I’m temporary. I can help with projects related to the transition like compiling inventory lists and documenting procedures, and then I’ll be gone.”

First Diane worked on transition-related projects at the corporate offices for about a month. Her first task was tracking down all the cell phone accounts and matching billing with locations and personnel. The company wanted to consolidate all the marketing materials at their Bay City location, so she loaded the trade show trailer up and headed south for the second half of her internship.

Then she worked at the Granbury farm for about two months. Diane says, “Farmers like having old plows in the weeds for parts or because you ‘just might need it,’ but corporations are more interested in liquidation. So, I inventoried equipment so they could determine what should be auctioned off, what to keep, and how to best use it.” She also was able to observe the day-to-day farming operations and how they tracked and managed orders.

“Overall, it was a great experience; I learned about managing multiple grasses, handling operations with multiple farms plus depot locations, and the structure of employees needed for that scale. I learned some good things and a lot of things not to do.”

Diane gave a presentation, “The Value of Interns & Internships,” at the 2006 summer TPI Conference in Memphis, Tennessee, discussing the benefits to the sod farm as well as the intern and pointing to its role in getting people interested in this industry. She encountered some resistance and several tough questions and comments, such as “I had an intern and then they started a farm next to me.” She reports, “I told them they’d have competition no matter what, but this is a good way to have some influence on what kind of competitor you might have. Wouldn’t you rather have a good competitor that you can communicate with, than a bad one?”

These experiences taught Diane much about the turfgrass business and even more about her ability to observe, assess, and react appropriately and effectively under pressure.

Diane and Greg Diane and Greg met at Michigan State in January of her junior year. They had some classes together as well as an introduction by a mutual friend and soon started dating.

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Greg was majoring in horticulture. His family was in the wholesale greenhouse business. Mischel’s Greenhouses in Williamsburg, MI, is well-known in the state and the surrounding region. He’d worked there growing up and during college breaks. Greg says, “At the end of the semester we were both heading home for the summer.

I decided I didn’t want a long-distance relationship and broke up with her. I quickly realized I was an idiot and went to Davison to ask her to take me back. Thankfully, she did.” Back at MSU, the couple continued dating. Greg made a solo trip to Davison to ask Alan for permission to propose to his daughter. That proposal took place just before winter—and Diane said yes.

Greg interned for Bordine’s, a four-star greenhouse and retail operation with four Michigan locations, and was hired by them after completing his internship. Proven Winners featured him on the cover of their 2005 catalog and job offers were coming to him from other companies.

After graduating with a BS degree in Crop & Soil Sciences in 2006, Diane returned to the family farm. She and Greg married in 2007.

Sod Farm or Greenhouse After they married, Greg continued working at Bordine’s, commuting an hour each way. His original career plan was to join his uncle in the family’s greenhouse business after a few years. During the first year of their marriage, he got the insider’s view of the sod farm business, and he liked the concept of having some downtime in the winter. Greg says, “Wholesale greenhouse operations raise chrysanthemums for the fall, poinsettias for the Christmas season, and start growing annuals and perennials in the winter for spring sales, so that doesn’t leave much time to get away.”

Diane says, “We had lots of discussions, considering both options.” Each was willing to follow the other—and either option would have worked—because both knew that either of them could figure out the new path and could be successful anywhere, doing anything. And who would take the leadership role was never an issue with the two of them. Greg says, “It was difficult leaving the floriculture industry. It was the only thing I’d ever known.

But together we decided there was more of an opportunity for us with sod farming. I also thought learning about growing a different kind of crop would be a new fun challenge. That’s what drew me away.”

Diane says, “Greg still has that passion for floriculture.

Shortly after we made the sod farm choice, he built a greenhouse here. He grows annuals, hanging baskets, and custom patio pots. He gets the excitement of doing what he likes to do and, especially in the early years when things were very lean, the additional income was very helpful.”

Weathering the Recession With the sod farm their joint career path, it was full steam ahead. Then the economy tanked. Michigan was one of the first places hit hard by the recession and one of the last to come out of it. Diane reports, “At the time we had two locations. My parents had gotten a satellite farm with the hope that my brother would take it on. We had a manager there and for a while Greg and I operated it. Once the recession began we started consolidating everything at the main farm and got rid of the second location. As we downsized, we had to let our employees go until we were down to my brother, Dad, and Greg outside and my mom and I in the office. I brought our daughter, Lillian, to work with me so the office doubled as the nursery.” The downsizing took a lot of tough decisions, but it was the smart thing to do. Because they were not overextended, they were able to weather the recession.

Diane and Greg’s three girls grew up in the family business. On this Saturday morning in August 2017, all three came to work with Diane.

Lillian was 8, Nora 6, and Stella 3.

Diane and Greg decided there was more of an opportunity for them with sod farming.

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TPI Turf News January/February 2024

Diane says, “Looking back, it wasn’t a terrible time to start out. We had to do everything ourselves, but the knowledge and experience we gained means we know we will be able to get through anything. We don’t have to fear future downturns; we can prepare for it, be smart, plan.” As economic conditions gradually improved, they were able to start adding staff, first a driver, then another operator, a mechanic, a part-time office assistant. Diane and Greg also brainstormed ways to diversify the sod farm operation to cushion future market shifts. They started growing fine fescue and tall fescue in addition to Kentucky bluegrass.

Transitioning is Complicated “My parents tried to talk me out of taking over the farm,” says Diane. The reasons were many. It is hard work. The stress of owning a small business is a weight you carry every day; you can’t just walk away. The soil on a farm gets tired. Drainage can be a big issue and new residential developments only compound the problem. Farms are facing increased pressure to track their environmental impact. Changes within the government can affect the whole picture. “They knew it could be a good life, yet they cautioned me,” Diane reports. “They said I was too smart to be a sod farmer; they wanted me to be a lawyer. I told them that while I might be good at that, I’d be miserable doing something I wasn’t passionate about. And they finally relented.”

In 2013, as they were starting to look at transition options, Diane’s dad Alan had knowledge to share from the experience of going from the first generation to the second generation. His dad Leo DeBuck knew how strongly independent his boys were and helped set each one up with their own operation. “My Dad always said it should be one captain for the ship,” says Diane. “I felt that my brother Kevin should have equal opportunity, and I insisted it be both of us together, but it became clear within about six months that my dad was right. We paid the lawyers for paperwork in 2014 and then again when we had to redraft it in 2015.”

There were some hard feelings between Kevin, his future wife, and Alan, but Kevin continued working at the farm even after he got married. “He enjoyed working here but didn’t love the ownership role,” Diane reports. In the spring of 2018, he shared that his family planned to move to Chicago at the end of the season in a career move for his wife. He injured his arm on the job that summer and he hasn’t worked since; they moved that winter as scheduled.

Greg was 32 and Diane was 31 when they made the transition. That is a young age to take on ownership. Diane says, “We are blessed to have parents that were willing to step back, let us make mistakes, and still be there for guidance when asked. It takes a lot of grace on their part TPI Turf News January/February 2024

Business continued despite the transitions. This 2014 video screenshot shows bright spots, too. Giggling, Lillian says, "Welcome to DeBuck's Sod Farm" and Nora adds "the geenest gass," missing the “R” sound.

to relinquish that control.” Greg says, “Knowing when to step aside to allow the next generation to unleash their ambitions and their energy is a gift. It’s the knowledge, character, and generosity of Diane’s parents that made the transition possible and we’re thankful for it.” On the flip side, Greg adds, “We have been told by her parents that they see us doing things with this farm, seeing successes, that they never thought of as being possible.”

The Business Today - Overview One of the ideas Diane was eager to try when she returned to the farm following graduation was growing and offering more than just Kentucky bluegrass sod. Doing that would differentiate the business from its competition, open additional markets, and offer customers solutions for areas where Kentucky bluegrass wasn’t ideal. There is always a learning curve when starting something new. It takes time and more than one crop rotation to develop a new product—you need to determine how best to grow it on your farm and at the same time to grow the market for it.

The farm’s first non-bluegrass sod crop was five acres of tall fescue planted around 2009. Now they are growing around fifty acres of tall fescue, which has become popular for its dark green color and drought tolerance.

“As consumers started to prioritize conserving water, the tall fescue has been a natural sell since it handles hot, dry conditions better than bluegrass. Plus, the newer varieties are more aesthetically appealing, and the seed companies are selecting for better knitting abilities,” Diane says. They also added fine fescue to have a sod option for shade areas.

In 2019 they planted their first crop of Scotts® ProVista™ Kentucky Bluegrass. It reduces mowing events by at least half, has excellent shade performance, and provides complete and easy weed control, as stated on their website.

“It took a few years for word to get out, but now we are getting calls requesting the ProVista, and are trying to find that balance of how much product to have available. With a two-year crop, managing inventory of multiple species and varieties is tricky.”

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Davison has a population of just over 25,000, with about 1,600 kids in the public high school. Diane says, “This is a manufacturing area. There is still some farm ground here, but we’re not a rural or ag-based community.” The farm is about 10 miles outside of Flint, an industrial hub, and about 70 miles from Detroit. While the metro Detroit suburbs in the range of 20-50 miles south are their main market, they will ship sod anywhere in the state of Michigan. Traverse City is a popular destination four hours north, but it lacks nearby sod suppliers, so DeBuck’s Sod Farm gets delivery requests to that area a few times a month. If they ship sod across to the west side of the state, the customer is usually requesting one of their specialty grasses, since there are local farms available for Kentucky bluegrass. The Davison farm backs up to Interstate 69, a major highway, and while Leo DeBuck didn’t love when the highway sliced through his farm in the late 1960s, he took advantage of the marketing opportunity by parking a defunct truck with an old water tank painted with the farm name across the sides and a smiley face on the circle end. Because it has become such a well-known landmark, that truck remains the business logo to this day.

In the late 1960s, Leo DeBuck advertised the company by parking this old truck with the painted water tank beside Interstate 69. Starting in 2020, during the pandemic, and repeated annually, this company icon shines from Thanksgiving until March, drawing compliments from the community.

Though the ground in most of their county is heavy clay, the farm sits on a pocket of a shallow peat bog. Diane and Greg like the lightweight, rich soil for growing grass. Greg says, “It’s easy for the roots to run through and form a nice mat, and when harvested the sod is lighter to work with.”

However, working in peat has plenty of challenges too.

Diane adds, “I’ve seen anything and everything get stuck in this at one time or another. There is a rumor that there is a crane buried down there somewhere.”

The farm sits on a pocket of a shallow peat bog, which is both good and bad.

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2023 brought unusual weather conditions for Davison.

It started with a dry spring, a continuation of drought conditions from 2022, but when it started raining around the fourth of July, the wet weather continued for the rest of the season. Rain is a good thing, but wet, rainy conditions can make it difficult to get spray applied and to get seedings done. They usually harvest until the ground freezes, which averages around Thanksgiving, but could be as early as Halloween or as late as Christmas. Spring start-up is typically mid-April, but it’s always weather dependent.

Diane says, “We can have snow until the end of March and may have snow in mid-April. We need the grass to wake up and the soil to firm up. We also watch the frost restrictions for trucking on the roads. Most Michigan roads, except for highways and class A roads, are vulnerable when the frost leaves the soil and can crack under the weight of a heavy load. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) monitors conditions and restricts truck weights on a county basis. There’s no point in starting our season until those restrictions have been removed since it affects moving product and equipment for our landscape and construction customers.”

DeBuck’s sells both wholesale and retail. They provide sod to landscapers, contractors, athletic stadiums, nursery centers, and golf courses, as well as directly to homeowners. They have a fleet of trucks to deliver, but their convenient location right off the highway means many landscape customers also pick up directly from the farm. On a Saturday morning in the spring, you will also find 30 to 50 homeowners stopping in to buy anywhere from a single roll to a pallet or two. “We deliver 65 percent of the sod we sell,” Diane reports. “The majority of our trucks go out with two to four stops with each stop paying the delivery charge, and because we are close to our market, each driver can take multiple runs each day.”

The most recent addition, growing some sod on plastic, was sparked by Dr. Trey Rogers of MSU. Diane says, “He twisted my arm a little. Do we have to add one more thing? Right now, I’d call it an expensive science experiment. But I would not have said yes if didn’t think we’d be able to be successful at it. We’re just not there yet.”

“It’s all a scientific experiment until it succeeds,” she reports, “and not all the things we have tried have worked.

Once we tried a product that didn’t react well with the high organic content of our soil and ended up stunting growth in that field for a year.” As they consider which ideas to try, they keep in mind how it fits into the mission stated on their website: “Our mission at DeBuck’s Sod Farm, Inc., is to grow quality sod using the best farming practices. We will utilize our resources and technology to provide superior sod and speedy service. Our educated staff is dedicated to listening to and meeting the needs of homeowners, landscapers, and contractors. We strive to TPI Turf News January/February 2024

grow lasting relationships with our customers, employees, and the community.”

The Business Today - Division of Responsibilities Diane oversees most of the business decisions, handling

Diane and Greg brought their family and some key staff members to the TPI Convention in Detroit. In this Field Day photo, left to right, are Greg; Kate Springstube, farm manager; Zach Wagner, delivery driver, and Zach Morgan, equipment operator.

Diane and Greg make a great team at work and at play. Golf is something else they share, playing often on the local course, Davison Country Club.

But even that’s not all play. Diane serves on that Board, too.

long-term and short-term planning, policies and procedures, as well as the daily and weekly details that keep the business running. She enjoys the creativity of handling marketing in-house. She took the audio from radio ads they had run and added video so they could utilize it on social media as well. She notes, “We connect with much of our retail market via our website, which delivers science-based information in an easy-to-navigate format. We connect best with commercial customers at landscape shows and golf shows. We are involved with the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (MTF) and the Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association (MNLA).”

Greg claims the title of head grower and says his role is growing the crops. “I’ve enjoyed the challenges of working with our wide variety of turfgrasses, learning about them and all the nuances of bringing them to production. It’s my responsibility to plant and grow all the crops, to make sure we have the grass ready for harvest whenever the customer needs it. With 600 acres devoted to sod, we’re now running out of areas, making it harder to keep all the grasses at the correct levels to match our markets. I do all the planting, fertilization, and spraying. I’m not willing to delegate that; the margin of error is too small. And I oversee the irrigation, mowing, and harvesting.”

Greg meets with Kate, their farm manager, first thing in the morning, as everyone else is arriving, to set up the priorities for the day. They have 15 full-time employees from April through December and keep from two to six on staff during the winter months. Greg says, “I’ve never TPI Turf News January/February 2024

found success doing a full-staff morning meeting. We start at 6:00 am and our crew goes directly to the field to begin harvesting. Our goal is to get our trucks loaded and on the road before the landscapers arrive to pick up their orders. Kate will coordinate in the field with the crew as they finish harvesting to relay the plan for the rest of the day. Kate is the communication hub between the office, the field crew, and me. It frees me up to focus on what I need to do, and having one person to connect with makes things easier on all those groups.”

Flowers and Pumpkins Having great employees allows Diane and Greg time to spend on other passions. Greg still enjoys growing annuals in his greenhouse in the spring, but Diane reports that in the last two years, the increase in sod demand required Greg to cut back on the custom pots segment of his greenhouse work. Greg reports he kept his major custom pot clients and is maintaining the volume of his annuals and hanging baskets. While Greg says he’s “pretty good at combination pots” those he prepared for the first customer were so eye-catching that word spread, and that business blossomed. The customers bring him their containers; he plants and establishes them, delivering them fully finished at the start of the season.

Greg continues to pursue his love for plants beyond grasses.

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The flip side is—Diane grows pumpkins in the fall. She says, “My brother started growing and selling pumpkins at my parent’s house in 2010 when he was a young single guy. When he and his family moved away, I purchased his equipment and materials and took it over with my parents’ help. When my parents moved away in 2020 that left just me—and 10 acres of pumpkins. Much of the greenhouse work takes place in the early spring when our sod business is slower, but pumpkin season happens when we’re still busy with sod.”

The three Mischel girls were joined by their cousin, Audrey DeBuck (Greg DeBuck's daughter from Pine Island, NY), in the fierce Trike Race team competition during the 2023 TPI Convention in Detroit. Photo by BE Productions

Diane has built a team of assistants to help her coordinate the pumpkin preparations and sales.

Typical of Diane, she established a system to make pumpkin sales workable. She hires local teenagers to pick pumpkins with her in the evenings and on weekends.

Her best friend, Jenny, comes in most mornings to restock the stand, and while Jenny is there, Diane also has a group of homeschooled kids who wash the pumpkins those mornings.

That Fourth Generation Diane and Greg have three girls. The oldest, Lillian, turned 15 on December 31. She is a freshman in high school. Nora, who just turned 13, is in 8th grade. Stella, who turned 10 in mid-November is in 4th grade.

Greg says, “The girls have grown up on the farm. Though they don’t remember much of the early days, they can see the pictures, so they are aware of how the business has advanced over the years. It’s too early to tell what their career decisions will be. We want them to have the freedom to pursue their dreams.”

Greg adds, “At this point, Lillian, has the most interest in working out in the fields. Nora prefers Diane’s role in the office and interacting with the customers. And Stella likes working with the pumpkins. The greenhouse and pumpkin income is what allows us to send all three of our girls to Catholic schools and keep them in the system through high school. Our additional motivation for wanting to continue doing those two specialties is, if one of the girls wants to stay in ag but would rather do the flowers or pumpkins than sod, what is a little side business for us could be grown into a full-time career for them.”

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Diane and Greg encouraged their girls to try different activities but didn’t want their girls to be over-involved.

Diane says, “We did not want to be a household that had somewhere to be every night of the week or that had to split up each weekend so one parent could take someone to this tournament while the other parent took the others to a different game. That’s not for us. Spending our time together is important to us. I am proud of the bond our girls have with each other.”

The two younger girls attend a school in the next town over with kindergarten through 8th grade all in the same building, while Lillian has started at the high school that combines all the students across the county and beyond.

“The high school brings together groups of kids from all over and Lillian is having a blast there,” reports Diane.

“While I can’t believe I am a ‘cheer mom,’ the girls tried it last year and loved it. As a freshman, Lillian is doing both competitive and sideline cheer, and Nora is on the junior high cheer team too. Both Nora and Stella have parts in Willy Wonka Junior, the school musical. It’s a lot of driving—and a lot of fun.”

Today’s youth are involved in so many extracurricular activities they often don’t have time for job experience.

Diane says, “That not only hurts the young people; it also hurts our industry. Even with the girls' activities they still help on the farm with getting the fields ready and assisting in the office, or with picking or washing pumpkins. Lillian is starting to drive so she can help move things around on the farm.”

Looking to the Future for TPI There have always been hurdles in the sod production industry. While Diane doesn’t anticipate it will be any easier going forward, she sees lots of opportunities for the TPI Turf News January/February 2024

Diane also wants to make sure our industry is engaging up-and-coming generations, making sure they understand and value our products, as well as attracting a workforce and leaders who can propel our industry forward.

She hit the ground running when she joined the Board in early 2020. She became part of the formation committee that helped guide the sod checkoff initiative to what they thought was a reasonable place for writing the order. “We heard most of the viewpoints and we worked hard to find the best compromises for the industry and we’re still trying to incorporate those viewpoints,” says Diane. “I had to learn about the concept of a checkoff and then decide if it was a good solution for the future of our industry. I’m hopeful it will help our industry grow. We need a unified voice to tell our story. We need to be prepared and ready to grasp the opportunities ahead.”

With Lillian and Nora both involved and loving it, Diane has become a ‘cheer mom.’

future. “I made a purposeful effort to target the golf market six years ago,” she says. “They hadn’t been renovating or building new courses for about 20 years. Now the market is booming with the influx of corrective activity from that fallow period. I see an opportunity on the horizon if we keep the pendulum swinging the public’s view on plastic grass. All schools at every level should be rushing to replace them with natural grass. There will always be challenges, we need to spend our time on the solutions.”

She continues, “I think the biggest opportunity for TPI to grow membership is to reach our international audience a little better. We need more opportunities to connect with our members from across the world so we can interact and learn from each other. The recent participation in the European Turfgrass Producers (ETP) show is a great start.”

The TPI Exchange Program that is being introduced (on page 40 of this issue) will allow participants to observe company cultures, practices, and tasks that are different from their sod farm. It will spark ideas they can take back and correlate.

Diane reports, “The Future Leaders Fellowship program will be starting the second cohort, building on the success of the first group. TPI President Hank Kerfoot’s drive to get young people involved sparked the Leadership, Innovation, and Technology Committee that helped develop both the fellowship and exchange programs.

Jenny Carritt led the way to include a Women in Turf social hour at conferences. Discussion from those social hours initiated the Turfgrass ProducHERS group which now communicates outside of just the conference.” Diane adds, “I didn’t start any of those things, but I’m good at carrying out a vision. I think these ideas and programs are creating a lot of opportunities for members and I urge them to take advantage of all TPI has to offer!”

Suz Trusty is co-editor of Turf News.

All photos courtesy of Diane and Greg Mischel unless otherwise noted.

Hosting class trips are by request but hosting them is a long-time tradition for DeBuck’s sod farm. Diane’s parents hosted her 3rd-grade class and her brother’s 5th-grade class.

This group was Nora’s 5th-grade class in the spring of 2021. It was the school’s first field trip post-pandemic.

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

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FUTURE LEADERS FELLOWSHIP SPOTLIGHT Compiled by Suz Trusty The TPI Future Leaders Fellowship is a members-only small-group leadership experience that brings together new and current leaders in the natural grass industry.

It’s an immersive 24-month program focused on developing new skills and enhancing existing leadership characteristics. Within this interactive framework, participants individually contribute to the long-term success of their career and their organizations and become even more effective advocates for the natural grass industry. As the first cohort wraps up the program, we’re sharing the participants’ stories.

experience with FLF. That group was started by Gordon Millar from Red Hen Turf Farm, Inc., and includes Greg, Sarah Nolte of Blue Grass Enterprises, Inc.; Greg DeBuck of DeBuck’s Sod Farm of NY, Inc.; and Matt Keeven of Emerald View Turf Farm. Greg says, “The five of us have an active text message group, sharing what we all have going on at our farms, questions the group might think are interesting, and what we want help or advice on. It’s been extremely helpful. We’re all a similar age, innovators, and like-minded about how we want to guide our businesses.”

Greg notes the short story of how he got into the turfgrass industry is, “I followed my wife into her family business.”

Then he adds, “My background was all in floriculture.

My family owned Mischel’s Greenhouses in Williamsburg, Michigan, a well-known wholesale supplier of mums, poinsettias, and annuals. The business sold two years ago. My long-term plan was to take over my family’s greenhouse business.

Diane and I had a couple of classes together at Michigan State and began dating. Before I graduated from MSU, I proposed to Diane and had to find a job close to her home in Davison.

I worked for two years at Bordine’s Nursery, a retailer of annuals and perennials in the Detroit area, following my graduation from MSU with a BS degree in horticulture. The seasonal schedules of floriculture and sod production don’t mesh. So, Diane and I needed to choose which to pursue.

Jointly, we chose sod farming.”

Greg Mischel (right) meets with the young sod producers’ group during the TPI 2020 Greg Mischel DeBuck’s Sod Farm

Conference in Orlando, Florida. The other group members are (from left to right): Greg DeBuck, Sarah Nolte, Matt Keeven, and Gordon Millar.

Greg Mischel is co-owner of DeBuck’s Sod Farm, Inc., of Davison, Michigan. Greg’s wife and co-owner, Diane, is the third generation of this family-owned farm. (Read the article introducing Diane as TPI’s 2024 President which begins on page 12 of this issue.) Greg claims the title of head grower, “We grow a wide variety of turfgrasses. I do all the planting, fertilization, and spraying and oversee the irrigation, mowing, and harvesting. It’s my responsibility to make sure we have the grass ready for harvest whenever the customer needs it.”

Greg reports he joined the Future Leaders Fellowship (FLF) Program “because Diane volunteered me for it.” But adds, “It’s the kind of thing I would have enthusiastically gone after anyway. I’m a very social person so this group is perfect for me.”

In addition, Greg has been part of a group of young sod producers for several years and anticipated a similar 20

Greg felt the entire FLF program was beneficial.

“I developed relationships with people I might not have even met without it. The trips we took were great.

The Zoom calls were good for keeping us organized and making plans for future visits. Nathan Whitaker always led great discussions. The most meaningful time for me personally was the visit to Wade Wilbur’s The Sod Shop operation in Kansas City. I love touring other sod farms and seeing and hearing how they run their businesses. The evenings that we spent together as a group were excellent for more in-depth discussion.”

His fall planting schedule prevented him from making the Washington, DC, legislative visits. Greg says, “That was disappointing because the connections Dr. Casey Reynolds has established for TPI provide the opportunity to access the key people who impact our businesses at the national level.”

Greg had just visited Sarah Nolte and her farm a couple of months before they were matched in the FLF one-on-one assignments. He says, “When TPI was in Detroit, Sarah TPI Turf News January/February 2024

came early and spent a day on our farm. Those individual visits are another highlight of the program.”

A few years ago, Greg sent his farm manager to Red Hen for about three days of working with Gordon’s farm manager—observing their overall operations and sharing information about DeBuck’s operations with Gordon’s staff.

“It was extremely worthwhile for us and them,” he reports.

“I sent Kate, our new farm manager, to Sarah Nolte for one week this summer. It was a fantastic opportunity. She came back with renewed excitement and ideas for things she wanted to implement in our day-to-day operations. A similar shadowing program, the TPI Exchange Program, is now being introduced. (See the article beginning on page 40 of this issue.) Sarah and I will be resources for TPI in finetuning it based on our experiences.”

The networking was the most enjoyable part of the FLF program for Greg. “As a group, we all got along fantastically and made connections that we might not have otherwise. Many long-term relationships were forged. Combining the sod producers and seed company representatives in the same fellowship group added to the discussions as they shared insights into the seed segment of the industry.”

Greg recommends the program, especially for the networking and the long-term relationships that can be made. “Our original group of five has been so valuable providing insights, a sounding board, and even a shoulder to cry on. That’s huge. The fellowship group offers the

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

same opportunities—and jump-starts that process. The people from this fellowship group have a connection that will continue beyond the formal meetings. The new Future Leaders Fellowship cohorts will be able to form similar relationships.”

2024-2025 TPI Future Leaders Fellowship Applications for the 2024-2025 TPI Future Leaders Fellowship cohort opened on November 23, 2023, and will close on January 12, 2024.

Space is limited for this program. Check out the link that follows for the informational brochure. 2024 TPI Leader Fellowship Final (https://issuu.com/tpiturfnews/docs/2024_ tpi_leader_fellowship_final_6_) If you have questions or need additional information about the program, contact Allie Roed at ARoed@TurfgrassSod.org.

Suz Trusty is co-editor of Turf News.

Photo courtesy of Diane Mischel.

THANK YOU TPI FUTURE LEADERS FELLOWSHIP SPONSORS

21

22

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

TPI INVITES YOU TO

NETWORK LEARN & GROW

RETURNING FAVORITES Nathan Whitaker as Keynote Speaker Jolene Brown Family Planning Workshop Florida Area Optional Activities TLI Fundraising Event Farm Show and Tells Committee Meetings

DATE & PLACE:

FEBRUARY 4-8

ORLANDO WORLD CENTER MARRIOTT The TPI Room Block at the Host Hotel and our overflow location are now open. Shuttle service will be provided between hotels.

FIELD DAY AT FLORITURF Buses will be provided from both hotels to our field day host.

& much more!

REGISTER TODAY TURFGRASSSOD.ORG TPI Turf News January/February 2024

23

HIGHLIGHTS—TPI 2024 INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE & FIELD DAY

By Allie Roed Join TPI at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida, February 4-8 for the TPI 2024 International Education Conference & Field Day! Our annual conference is packed with great sessions to help you grow your business and expand your skill set. With ample built-in networking opportunities, you’ll be sure to catch up with old friends and meet new ones.

SPECIAL SHUTTLE SERVICE TPI will be offering a shuttle service between Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs and the host hotel, Marriott Orlando World Center, throughout the event. Bus schedules will be available in the TPI 2024 International Education Conference & Field Day App. This short ride will be available to all TPI attendees with a conference pass.

FIELD DAY 2024 FULL CONFERENCE PACKAGE INCLUDES: All Education Sessions at Orlando World Center Marriott

Sunday Night: President’s Ice Cream Social & Drinks at Orlando World Center Marriott Monday Night:

Sponsor Showcase and Dinner at Orlando World Center Marriott Tuesday Night:

Women in Turf Social (Women Only Event) at Orlando World Center Marriott Wednesday:

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 – 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Don’t miss Wednesday’s Field Day and the opportunity to kick tires on brand-new equipment. See the latest technology and speak to the best sod production suppliers in the business. Hop on a bus early to enjoy a full day on the farm at FloriTurf. Meet with our esteemed exhibitors and catch up with old friends at your leisure. Stop at one of our delicious food trucks to select lunch and enjoy it at one of the many picnic tables spread throughout the field. Busing to and from FloriTurf is free for all registered guests. Learn more about FloriTurf, a family-owned business, in the article starting on page 34. Thank you to FloriTurf for opening your farm to Turfgrass Producers International!

Field Day at FloriTurf Including lunch and transportation

FAMILY SUCCESSION PLANNING WORKSHOP

Thursday:

THE TOP TEN MISTAKES THAT BREAK UP A FAMILY BUSINESS! WITH JOLENE BROWN

Annual Business Meeting and Lunch at Orlando World Center Marriott

ACCESS TO ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY TICKETS: Monday:

Optional Activities: Celebration Bike Tour & Village or Unique Citrus Farm & Exotic Animal Tour Tuesday:

The Lawn Institute Carnival Royale Fundraiser

24

Monday, February 5, 2024 – Time: 3:30 pm – Cost: $125

We can prevent many daily aggravations and family business catastrophes if we learn from the mistakes of others. This eye-opening, fun-filled presentation will highlight the top ten things families do that break up their business. We will discuss transition issues of fairness and equality, earned sweat equity, advisor necessity, productive communications, and important meetings. In this valuepacked workshop, you’ll receive take-home tools to assist in the transition and succession of a family business.

From conversations to contracts, from assumptions to clarification, from complaints to celebrations, we will open eyes and save fighting on the way to the funeral home.

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

AGENDA SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024 3-5PM

Registration Grand Reg Desk

Poolside Cabana Meet Up Poolside

5-8PM

Dinner on own

7-8:30PM

Registration Grand Reg Desk

8-9PM

President’s Ice Cream Social & Drinks Grand 7

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2024 9AM-2PM 2024 Field Day

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024 8-8:45AM Inspirational Message Grand 7 & 8 9-10AM

Opening Keynote Address Michelle Miller, Farm Babe ²ȌƧǞƊǶ Xȁ˜ɐƵȁƧǞȁǐ ɈȌ ɈƵǶǶ ɯȌɐȲ ȺɈȌȲɯ Grand 7 & 8

10:1011AM

Breakout 7 FIFA World Cup 2026: Challenges and Update - John Sorochan and Trey Rogers Grand 1-3

Breakout 8 Weather Hazard Safety - Charlie Woodrum Grand 4-6

Breakout 9 H2A - H2B 101 Megan Wright Anaheim / Atlanta / Boston

11:10AM12PM

Breakout 10 Landscapes are Changing: Are Producers Prepared to Meet the Challenges? Bryan Unruh Grand 1-3

Breakout 11 Farmland Leasing, Acquisition and Transfer Andrew Brannan Grand 4-6

Breakout 12 H2A - H2B 101 Megan Wright Anaheim / Atlanta / Boston

12-2PM

Annual Business Meeting & Lunch Grand 7 & 8

2:153:15PM

Innovative Series - 10 Ideas in 50 Minutes Grand 7 & 8

3:15-4PM

Board Show & Tells and Texas Preview Eric Webb and Charles Harris Grand 7 & 8

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2024 8-11AM

Registration Grand Reg Desk

9AM-2PM

Optional Tour Celebration Bike Tour & Village $189 pp / 54 max *Children’s bikes by request

9:30AM2:30PM

Optional Tour Unique Citrus Farm & Exotic Animal Tour $126 pp / 110+ max

2-3PM

Registration Grand Reg Desk

3:30-5PM

Optional Workshop The Top Ten Mistakes That Break Up a Family Business! - Jolene Brown $125 pp Grand 1-3

5:308:30PM

Sponsor Showcase & Dinner Grand 7 & 8

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2024 8-11AM

Registration Grand Reg Desk

9-10AM

Opening Keynote Address Great Leaders are Born And Other Lies I’ve Loved - Nathan Whitaker Grand 7 & 8

10:2011:20AM

General Session When Stress is More Than a Season - Lesley Kelly Grand 7 & 8

11:30AM12:15PM

Breakout 1 What The Best Plant Sellers Know About Social Media Melinda Knuth Grand 1-3

12:151:45PM

Lunch Break Grand 7 & 8

2-2:50PM

Breakout 4 Satisfactory Online Experiences - Melinda Knuth Grand 1-3

5:306:30PM

Women in Turf Reception

7-10PM

TLI Carnival Royale Grand 7 & 8

Breakout 2 EU Trends in Turf Production Albrecht Knigge Grand 4-6

Breakout 5 Public Policy Casey Reynolds Grand 4-6

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

Registration Field Day Check-in

Breakout 3 Choosing Safe: Sounds Simple Enough Matt Harken Anaheim / Atlanta / Boston

Breakout 6 Choosing Safe: Sounds Simple Enough - Matt Harken Anaheim / Atlanta / Boston

25

EDUCATION SESSION HIGHLIGHTS JOLENE BROWN SPECIAL WORKSHOP PRESENTER The Top Ten Mistakes That Break Up A Family Business!

Jolene Brown is a walking-talking spokesperson and champion for the people of agriculture. She’s a farmer in Eastern Iowa, contributor to Successful Farming magazine’s popular family business column, author of two great books, and an inductee into the prestigious Speaker Hall of Fame. Her worldwide audiences appreciate her fun-filled spirit and valuable information. She’s on a mission to share leadingedge best practices, appreciation, laughter, and celebration to increase productivity, profitability, and peace of mind.

NATHAN WHITAKER TUESDAY OPENING KEYNOTE SPEAKER Great Leaders Are Born - And Other Lies I've Loved Nathan Whitaker is a motivational speaker, the co-author of eight New York Times bestsellers (including #1 Quiet Strength), and a Super Bowl champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He has spoken to corporations, sports teams, and trade associations across the country and world, and has written books with Tony Dungy, Tim Tebow, and others. A twosport athlete in baseball and football at Duke University, he played for Steve Spurrier on Duke’s most recent ACC Championship football team. He also holds master's degrees from Harvard Law School and the University of Florida. He lives with his family in Gainesville, Florida.

LESLEY KELLY HIGH HEELS & CANOLA FIELDS When Stress Is More Than A Season A marketer by trade and entrepreneur, Lesley farms with her family on their grain farm at Saskatchewan and is the head and heart behind the alias High Heels & Canola Fields where she dispels myths about agriculture and brings consumers and farmers together. She learned of the disconnect while building a snack food company using the grain grown on her farm. Lesley’s goal in being involved in agriculture beyond the farm is to build community and connection that help the industry, farmers, and consumers.

Lesley has been a leader in advocating for mental health in agriculture. She has been part of a nationwide campaign that has raised over 150 million dollars for mental health community initiatives across Canada and co-founded the Do More Agriculture Foundation, a Canadian registered charity solely focused on mental health in agriculture, whose mission is to break barriers, support all Canadian farmers in taking care of their mental health and bring much needed resources to the industry. Since its inception in 2018, the foundation has trained thousands of farmers across Canada in mental health. She was recognized by the YWCA with the Women of Distinction award and received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for this work.

She is also a cohost of “What The Farm” podcast, Director for Saskatchewan Wheat and when Lesley isn’t in the field, you can find her running to the hockey rink with her two sons, learning how to cook for a harvest crew and spending time with her husband.

MELINDA, KNUTH, PhD ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE What The Best Plant Sellers Know About Social Media And Satisfactory Online Experiences

Dr. Knuth’s research priorities are on consumer and market research experience by focusing on the interface between people and plants, helping the horticulture industry understand consumer preferences, perceptions, and motivations. Historically, Dr. Knuth has evaluated trade flows of horticulture products in the United States, assessed the supply chain in the cut flower industry, investigated profit margins in substituting species in floral arrangements, and estimated consumer acceptance of retail messaging.

26

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

EDUCATION SESSION HIGHLIGHTS MICHELLE MILLER, FARM BABE THURSDAY OPENING KEYNOTE SPEAKER

CASEY REYNOLDS, PhD TURFGRASS PRODUCERS INTERNATIONAL

Social Influencing To Tell Your Story

Public Policy Update

Michelle Miller, better known as the Farm Babe, is a Florida based internationally recognized speaker; published writer and columnist, and an online influencer as a full-time advocate for agriculture. She started her social media outreach over seven years ago as a way to better bridge the gap between farmers and consumers, making a name for herself as a dedicated “mythbuster” in food and farming. Farm Babe has hundreds of thousands of followers and an average social media reach of 5+ million monthly. She's been featured in Forbes & has caught the attention of the Today Show, Inside Edition, CNN, People magazine, and more... a guest on Dr. Drew, Farm Babe has influenced corporations as powerful as Burger King, and has proudly spoken alongside ssome of the biggest names in food and farming today.

ALBRECHT KNIGGE PATTENSEN, GERMANY EU Trends in Turf Production

Albrecht grew up on an arable farm in Pattensen near Hannover, Germany, which has been his family's estate since the 13th century. After national service in the army and a degree in agriculture in 1996, from the University of Plymouth, UK, Albrecht returned to the farm to work alongside his father in setting up the turf 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 turf farms across Germany together with co-owners, producing and marketing turfgrass under the common “Rasenland” brand. Additionally, he is involved in his new company, Turfcom, for the design of specialist turfgrass machinery.

Albrecht is the 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 hosted the ETP turf show and field days in July 2022. His whole family and staff enjoyed welcoming sod growers and manufacturers from around the world for this event in Germany.

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

Casey Reynolds, PhD, is the Executive Director at Turfgrass Producers International (TPI). Prior to joining TPI, he was a turfgrass faculty member and state extension specialist at Texas A&M University. He is the author of over 300 publications and has been an invited speaker in over 30 U.S. states and six countries. He is a passionate advocate for natural grass and its benefits in urban and suburban settings worldwide.

J. BRYAN UNRUH, PhD PROFESSOR AND ASSOCIATE CENTER DIRECTOR, WEST FLORIDA RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA Landscapes Are Changing: Are Producers Prepared To Meet The Challenges?

J. Bryan Unruh is a Professor of Environmental Horticulture at the University of Florida, IFAS, West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay, FL. Dr. Unruh received his PhD from Iowa State University and his MS and BS from Kansas State University. Dr. Unruh’s turfgrass science research and extension program is at the forefront of improving Best Management Practices (BMPs), understanding and changing consumer preferences and behavior related to landscape management, and testing new and novel grasses that have improved turfgrass performance characteristics and require fewer inputs to maintain them. Results from his team’s work are included in all three Florida turf industry BMP manuals. Unruh’s team was selected to develop the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) National BMP Planning Guide and Template with the end-goal of having golf-centric BMP manuals in all 50 states by 2020; a goal that was achieved in December 2020. Dr. Unruh is the past-Chair of the Crop Science Society of America C5 Division and is a fellow in both the Crop Science Society of America and the American Society of Agronomy. Dr. Unruh was honored to receive the GCSAA’s 2023 President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship.

27

EDUCATION SESSION HIGHLIGHTS CHARLIE WOODRUM METEOROLOGIST IN CHARGE, NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, PUEBLO, COLORADO Weather Hazard Safety

Farmland Leasing, Acquisition And Transfer

Robert Andrew Branan, JD is an Associate Extension Professor with the Agricultural and Resources Economics (ARE) Department of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University. Andrew is a legal educator/researcher with law practice experience in agricultural land use, real property disposition, and environmental and natural resource law, with a focus on farm succession, land use, water and natural resource protection. His campus courses include Environmental Law and Economic Policy and Agriculture Law, with Cooperative Extension an appointment serving landowners and producers state-wide. Prior to joining ARE, Andrew’s solo law practice served farmers, landowners and food entrepreneurs across North Carolina and Virginia on matters of business planning and management and asset transfer, with heavy emphasis on land disposition. He has authored the handbooks Planning the Future of Your Farm and So You Have Inherited a Farm, the latter focusing on co-tenancy resolution. Andrew graduated from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia with degrees in Economics and History and earned his juris doctorate from Wake Forest University Law School.

He lives with his family in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

MEGAN WRIGHT DIRECTOR, INDUSTRY RELATIONS WITH masLABOR

,

Charlie is the Meteorologist in Charge for the National Weather Service in Pueblo, Colorado. In this job he supervises a staff of 20 employees that issues life-saving forecasts and warnings for citizens of southeastern Colorado. In his previous job, he was the Warning Coordination Meteorologist in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he led partner engagement with the media and emergency management in 48 counties and parishes in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Prior to that he was the Pacific Regional Warning Coordination Meteorologist with Pacific Region Headquarters of the National Weather Service (NWS) in Honolulu, Hawaii. In this position, he assisted NWS offices in Hawaii, Guam, and American Samoa in communicating weather, water, and climate information to their partners.

During his time in Pacific Region, Charlie also led a national team that developed the DeploymentReady qualification program for NWS employees. Prior to this role, Charlie was the National Decision Support Services (DSS) Program Manager at National Weather Service Headquarters in Silver Spring, MD and the NWS Program Coordination Officer (PCO) at NOAA Headquarters in Washington D.C. Before his time in the beltway, Charlie worked as a Journeyman Forecaster in Pittsburgh, PA, a Meteorologist Intern in Wilmington, OH, and a Student Trainee (SCEP) in Tallahassee, FL. Charlie specializes in lightning safety for outdoor organizations and developed NOAA’s Lightning Safety Toolkits. Charlie graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in Meteorology.

ANDREW BRANAN ASSOCIATE EXTENSION PROFESSOR

H-2A 101: What Your Business Needs To Know & H-2 HR & Beyond

Megan Wright represents másLabor, the nation’s leading provider of comprehensive H-2A and H-2B services, with decades of experience helping businesses navigate these complex programs successfully.

28

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

EDUCATION SESSION HIGHLIGHTS —DIGGING DEEPER WHEN STRESS IS MORE THAN A SEASON LESLEY KELLY Farming can be both a rewarding and demanding occupation where farmers experience highs and lows and mounting stress. Everyone feels stress and there can be lots of negative stress on the farm. As farmers, we know how to recognize stress in our livestock, crops, and equipment.

But do we know how to recognize when stress is too much for us and what we can do to help each other get through those stressful times?

In this presentation, Lesley will share 5 tips using her “Weather the STORM” strategy and the things she’s learned that have helped her family and farm get through stressful times such as:

S - Stress: What stress is and the signs and symptoms to watch out for.

T - Take Action: How to recognize and ask yourself when stress is too much; and knowing that your stress is real but it may be different to what someone else is going through.

O - Open Communication: How our farm overcame stress together through communication and how to talk about stress and mental health on the farm.

R - Relationships: Relationships are so important within agriculture, from the teams we work with and with our family and can either add to our stress or help us through it. Lesley will share what we can do when stress from the farm and relationships spill over into each other and repair attempts to help our relationships strengthen and thrive through stress.

M - Management: Stress management tips and tools to help yourself and others when stress is high and immediate and long-term strategies.

H-2A 101: WHAT YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS TO KNOW MEGAN WRIGHT This session will cover the ins and outs of the H-2A program for employers. We will discuss the program’s requirements, barriers to entry, and best practices for employers, including pertinent current events. As the labor landscape continues to pose challenges, more and more businesses are turning to H-2A visas to solve their shortages—ensure you have thought through housing, the updates with transportation needs, and all other program basics.

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

WEATHER HAZARD SAFETY CHARLIE WOODRUM This session will cover high impact weather hazards and how to prepare for them. From hurricanes to tornadoes to flash flooding to heat to blizzards, weather can wreak havoc on organizations if they are not prepared. This session will help you learn about each hazard, how to monitor them from the National Weather Service, and steps you can take to be safer before, during, and after the weather event. The session will have a special focus on lightning safety. NOAA recently released Lightning Safety Toolkits that allow for an organization to fill out a form and make a lightning safety plan. Participants will get a walk-through of this process and come out of this session with a lightning plan for their organization.

LANDSCAPES ARE CHANGING: ARE PRODUCERS PREPARED TO MEET THE CHALLENGES? J. BRYAN UNRUH, PhD Concerns about water conservation, degraded water quality, and changing urban ecosystems are leading some to call for changes to urban landscapes. The proposed changes range from landscapes without turfgrass to mixed-species plantings. The proposed changes will require producers to rethink their current product offerings and consider alternatives. Dr. Unruh will highlight current trends facing the industry and will offer insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed alternatives.

FARMLAND LEASING, ACQUISITION AND TRANSFER ANDREW BRANAN This session provides an overview of securing land for farming by lease, option, and purchase, as well as issues related to its sale or other transfers. Topics covered include lease and contract language, recording, property and income taxes, as well as trust and entity (LLC) dispositions.

H-2 HR & BEYOND MEGAN WRIGHT Your H-2 workers have safely arrived at your operation— now what?? We will explore HR best practices for your team on how to navigate the H-2 workforce, including payroll, ongoing compliance support, and how to bridge the education gap with your team.

29

TLI CARNIVAL ROYALE FUNDRAISER

Join The Lawn Institute for a Carnival Royale. Your ticket gets you into the party, unlimited games, dinner, and a drink ticket. Don’t miss out on the amazing family-friendly fundraising under the big top complete with raffles and the famous TLI Auction!

TLI Funds raised through this auction support the following: • •

Raffle Items •

Drink Happy Thoughts Basket

•

Home Depot Dad Basket

•

Beach Babe Basket

•

I heard it through the grapevine Basket

•

Women In Turf Basket

•

Get Cooking Basket

Connect with the TLI Fundraising Committee throughout the week to purchase your raffle tickets.

30

•

Public Relations Initiative to promote Natural Grass.

TLI Research on cooling effects, runoff reduction, sod shelf life, pest control recommendations guide, and more!

New Environmental Benefits of Turfgrass Facts where TLI will collaborate with universities to establish new facts on turfgrass oxygen production, carbon capture, cooling effects, and more!

TLI Carnival Night Auction and Raffle Sponsors Barenbrug Brouwer Kesmac Columbia Seeds Donkey Forklifts E-Cargo Tarps Farm HG Jonathan Green Landmark Seed R & R Products Summit Seed TAMANET TLI Board Turf Merchants, Inc. (TMI) Turf Producers Association Valley Irrigation Will Nugent TPI Turf News January/February 2024

TLI CARNIVAL ROYALE FUNDRAISER Auction Items

E-Cargo Tarps Sod Master 1302

Join in the TLI Auction and place your bid on the Sod Master 1302, by E-Cargo Tarps, the industry’s leading, professional-grade electric roll-up tarp system. Enjoy all the convenience of two independent electric motors with optional wireless remote control and built-in backup mode. The Sod Master 1302, by E-Cargo Tarps, is fully automated and loaded with features to reduce operating time and has unparalleled deck access thanks to its innovative swing-up arm design. With heavy-duty fully reinforced 21oz tarps, 2” safety straps and added protection from E-Cool Tech™ and a 3-year warranty, the Sod Master 1302 is ready to join your fleet.

Donkey Forklifts Donkey Model # M12-5K

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

This year's special edition forklift has been custom painted in support of National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.®. A portion of the proceeds from this auction item will be donated to National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.®. Turfgrass Producers International and Donkey Forklifts are proud supporters of National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.® TPI Turf News January/February 2024

Additional Auction Items Replacement Tarp

E-Cargo Tarps

ICON Panel & 1 Year Subscription to Valley 365

Valley Irrigation

1 Pallet of Netting or Field Net

TAMANET

Irrigation Monitor

Farm HG

Hunting Trip for Turkey/Boar

Will Nugent

31

THANK YOU TO OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS

32

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

Learn About the Many Benefits of a TPI Membership

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TURFGRASS WATERING & CAR E FOR NEW SOD 2018 Perennial turfgrass es are some of the most hardy and durable plants often found in urban landscapes.

Like any new planting, they require attention and care during installat ion to ensure success ful establishment.

This guide contains helpful tips to make sure your newly laid sod remains healthy and ready to enjoy!

IN THIS ISSUE More Benefits of Turfgrass TPI Participation in NTEP 2019 Conference Preview

... And Much More

• Turf News magazine • TPI e-newsletter • Pest Control Guide (5PDATED 2EGULARLY) • Members Only Toolkit

• Worldwide support of growers and industry suppliers • Annual printed membership directory • Access to TGIF (Turfgrass Information Files)

• 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

Contact TPI TPI Turf News January/February 2024at info@TurfGrassSod.org to join now

33

FLORITURF—TPI 2024 FIELD DAY HOST FARM

By Cecilia Brown Reflecting on his upbringing, Travis reminisced, “I watched my parents work night and day and work very hard to uplift a struggling business. They poured numerous nights, weekends, and hours into making it what it is today. I was fortunate enough that they gave me the opportunity to buy it from them when they were ready to sell it.”

Making the Transition Travis recalled walking with his sister to their elementary school across the street, highlighting the close ties between their family life and the farm. Seven years ago, Travis made the decision to purchase the farm from his parents, driven by his extensive hands-on experience.

The FloriTurf sign pictured here is featured on the company’s website.

For nearly three decades, FloriTurf has been at the forefront of turfgrass farming operations in Kenansville, Florida.

Originally an Ohio-based enterprise, founders Cecil Collins and Bill Campbell expanded their business to Florida. They hired Donald Johnson as a manager and part-owner in 1994, and he acquired the business shortly thereafter.

Donald and Nancy, married for 45 years, devoted themselves tirelessly to establishing a reputable sod operation in Florida. Upon Donald’s acquisition, Nancy left her job at an attorney firm and assumed the responsibilities of running FloriTurf ’s office. They raised their children, Travis and Erin, on the farm. Erin has pursued a career in hotel management, while Travis has taken the helm of FloriTurf.

“I don’t think I have anybody that’s doing a job here that I haven’t physically done at some point in time, and I think that helps,” he said. “The problems a sod farm has are things I’ve experienced from a young age. You don’t realize what you’re learning by just standing around. You learn things all the time and it’s amazing to me the little things I picked up that I didn’t even know I was being taught.”

Nancy and Donald Johnson were happy to pass the business to their son and look forward to traveling more in the coming years. “I think it’s great passing it along from generation to generation and now my grandson, Mason, is involved in it too. Each new generation brings in new ideas and innovations,” Donald said.

Pictured here are Travis Johnson, right, and his son, Mason. Donald and Nancy Johnson were happy to pass the business to their son Travis and think it’s great that their grandson Mason is also involved in it.

Donald and Nancy Johnson enjoy San Francisco in conjunction with a TPI meeting in 2015.

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Growth and Expansion Over the past 29 years, FloriTurf significantly shifted from leased lands in Osceola County, Florida's northern and western regions to securing long-term leases, encompassing approximately 1,000 acres in the county's southern area. Travis attributed this move to the impact of ongoing development.

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

Travis explained they’ve established a good relationship with a strong network of ranchers in the southern region of the county. They have different arrangements including leasing land for extended periods, some for up to 15 years, and in other cases, they harvest from the landowners’ cow pastures or Bahia fields.

the industry’s next generation take the reins as they start to take the back seat. “Tobey and I have been to a lot of TPI meetings together all over the country. He and (wife) LeeAnn are good people and good friends of ours.”

FloriTurf harvests around 500 acres of Bahia grass across multiple ranches in the region, concentrating solely on cultivation and sales, without engaging in delivery or installation services.

With a team of 22 employees, FloriTurf has experienced rapid growth over the past five years, doubling both its acreage and staff count. Travis emphasized their closeness, stating, "Despite the expansion, I remain highly involved, engaging with each employee individually a few times a week. We still maintain that small-business atmosphere, but it's fascinating to witness our evolution and adapt to different management styles as we scale up."

Donald highlighted the shift from manual sod stacking, prevalent in the industry nearly 50 years ago when he started, to utilizing advanced equipment, making a substantial difference in operations at FloriTurf. Travis said that their updated equipment has allowed for smoother operations and efficiency.

Managing FloriTurf Travis said he’s always enjoyed witnessing the development of raw land into a turf farm. “It’s been a passion. I’ve ventured and dabbled into other businesses, and nothing held my attention and interest like the turf industry.”

He also finds joy in the initial harvest of a newly planted field, stating "After we go through all the infrastructure of laser leveling, putting in an irrigation system and the two years of work, it makes that first harvest very exciting.”

Much of Travis's daily routine involves coordinating with FloriTurf 's Turfgrass Manager, Allan Kersey. Travis also oversees various operational aspects, including payroll, bills, inventory, and financial analysis. Additionally, maintaining strong relationships with local landowners remains a priority for Travis to ensure FloriTurf aligns with their expectations, emphasizing the importance of immersion within the business and the surrounding network for a successful, growing sod operation.

Getting together at TPI events helped build the personal relationship and professional rapport that Donald and Nancy Johnson share with Tobey and LeeAnn Wagner. Pictured in this photo, taken in San Francisco, are (from left to right) Lois Hall, Tobey Wagner, Nancy Johnson, and Donald Johnson.

Travis recalled his father's collaboration with Wagner over the years, focusing on identifying grasses aligning with their quality standards and water-saving needs. Travis expressed excitement about Sod Solution’s recent release of CitraZoy ® Zoysiagrass from the University of Florida.

“It’s a big hit. I love it. As a grower, it’s easy to grow and has less problems than other varieties making it easier for the homeowner to maintain. CitraZoy is the most recent thing that we're all excited about for sure.”

After a year of cultivation, Travis observed CitraZoy’s resilience to billbugs compared to adjacent zoysiagrass fields that suffered damage. “That was neat to see, especially being right next to each other. Typically, if you have a problem in one, you have a problem in the next field but I’m seeing billbug resistance and prolonged color retention.”

He explained while it’s a different color than EMPIRE, CitraZoy has been holding color longer which makes him assume customers would be able to reduce fertilizer use while keeping a nice green shade longer.

Licensed Turfgrass Varieties FloriTurf was an early adopter of EMPIRE® Zoysia introduced by Sod Solutions and remains a longterm licensee for this variety. Donald emphasized the significance of EMPIRE in diversifying their offerings beyond St. Augustine grasses.

Donald underscored his friendship and professional rapport with Tobey Wagner, the founder of Sod Solutions.

He said they spoke recently about their excitement seeing TPI Turf News January/February 2024

Travis Johnson shows a slab of EMPIRE Zoysia harvested from the FloriTurf fields.

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TPI 2024 FloriTurf is a member of the Florida Turfgrass Association (FTGA) and Turfgrass Producers International (TPI). They are gearing up to host the TPI 2024 International Education Field Day at their newest sod farm in early February.

CitraZoy® Zoysiagrass, shown in this field at FloriTurf, is a recent release from the University of Florida.

Looking to the Future Travis is excited about FloriTurf 's venture into the bermudagrass market, which presents new opportunities for the business. While they haven't extensively explored bermudagrass before, he anticipates acreage growth in this area. FloriTurf is a recent licensee of Celebration® Bermudagrass. He explained the increasing customer inquiries for bermudagrass beyond sports fields indicate emerging market demands.

Over the years, FloriTurf primarily focused on grass cultivation. However, as the farm expanded, it diversified into growing various grass varieties and has become more active within the industry as well as staying updated on local regulations from the Water Management District.

Donald expressed his excitement for Travis to spearhead the event, noting the immense value of participation in TPI. "I used to be very involved and on the board. I think it's just a good thing for the industry. You pick up a lot of things from growers from all over the country.”

Travis echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the significance of hosting the field day on a new farm with many grass varieties. “I’m glad to do it for our industry and there’s no better place to do that than a brand new farm without all the bumps and bruises of an old farm.”

Travis looks forward to leading FloriTurf into the future while adapting to industry needs and changes. For more information on the business, visit FloriTurf ’s website at https://floriturf.com.

To register for the 2024 TPI International Conference & Field Day, visit the link that follows. https://turfgrasssod. org/event/tpi-2024-international-education-conference-andfield-day.

Cecilia Brown is Media and Content Manager for Sod Solutions. ions.

Photos courtesy of FloriTurf and Sod Solutions.

And There’s More!

FloriTurf President Travis Johnson reported that of the 1,000 acres of grasses they market, they have approximately 500 acres in cultivated sod production spread between three growing locations, with the Field Day site the newest of them.

Along with the grasses licensed from Sod Solutions that were mentioned in the article, they grow three varieties of St. Augustine grass: Floratam, Palmetto®, and Evergreen. They also have added Bimini® Bermudagrass to their venture into that market segment as part of expanding their business opportunities.

Travis reports that, at this point, St. Augustine makes up about 70 percent of the market for the grasses they grow. The Bahiagrass they harvest from the other 500 acres is tracked separately.

While FloriTurf serves all of Central Florida, Orlando is their primary sales area. Travis reports it’s an up market for them. A lot of people are moving to Florida which is generating quite a bit of new construction. That’s an ideal situation for FloriTurf because their major market segment is installers.

Travis says, “We harvest and sell our sod out of the field, we don’t deliver, and we don’t install. We have a daily cut capacity and schedule our orders to fit that capacity so that the grasses are cut and picked up on the same day. Our customers place their orders in advance of their scheduled pickup date, and that timing varies, but the norm is getting the order in from three to seven days before they want to pick up the sod. The preorder process gives us the ability to better coordinate our scheduling and allocation of equipment and crew members.”

Those coming for the Field Day will see two of the grasses FloriTurf grows, Bimini Bermuda and Empire Zoysia.

Harvesting demonstrations will take place on both of those grasses.

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TPI Turf News January/February 2024

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SPOTLIGHT ON NATHAN WHITAKER— TPI LEADERSHIP CONSULTANT Compiled by Suz Trusty Nathan Whitaker has been entertaining, educating, and inspiring audiences for two decades with humor, transparency, and lessons learned from his time working and studying in business and sports. A two-sport athlete in baseball and football at Duke University, he played for Steve Spurrier on Duke’s most recent ACC Championship football team. He also holds master's degrees from Harvard Law School and the University of Florida.

Whitaker has taken a circuitous path from practicing law to administrative positions in professional sports to his current role as a motivational writer and speaker.

After winning a Super Bowl ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and witnessing teamwork and leadership from his time in the scouting departments of the Bucs and Jacksonville Jaguars, Whitaker put that experience to work. While with the Bucs, he worked alongside Tony Dungy, the beloved Super Bowl-winning coach, who is known for his uncommon character as a coach, a dad, and a mentor. He talked Tony Dungy into writing a book.

That book, the first for Dungy and Whitaker, was the #1 New York Times bestseller, Quiet Strength.

Whitaker says, “I have gone on to write numerous other books (eight of which have become top-ten NYT bestsellers, by my count—which may be skewed, since math wasn’t my thing), including The Mentor Leader, Uncommon, Uncommon Marriage, Through My Eyes (with Tim Tebow), Snap Decision, The One Year Impact For Living Men’s Devotional, Role of a Lifetime (with James Brown), and The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge.

When I speak to corporations, teams, churches, or nonprofits worldwide, I draw on lessons learned from coaching friends Tony Dungy, Mike Tomlin, Billy Donovan, Clint Hurdle, and Tom Coughlin, as well as my college coach, Steve Spurrier.”

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TPI Inspirational Breakfast 2020 Participants in TPI’s 2020 Conference Inspirational Breakfast were stirred by Whitaker’s presentation centered on building uncommon character. Noting that didn’t happen overnight, for Dungy or himself, Whitaker stressed the focus must be on “Living a Life of Significance, not simply Success.” One of the books he co-authored with Dungy, a daily devotional titled The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge, was offered to all attendees who wanted to step up to the challenge.

TPI 2024 Conference Keynote Presentation Nathan Whitaker will open the 2024 TPI Conference with the keynote address, Great Leaders Are Born— And Other Lies I’ve Loved. He says, “When it comes to leadership issues people tend to think of all the things they are deficient in. They’ll say that’s great—but I’m not extroverted, or I’m not quick on my feet, or whatever they perceive as a deficiency. The truth is, no matter where you are, you can learn to be a better version of you. I will never be a leader like Churchill—but I can be a better me.”

Whitaker the Moderator for Future Leaders Fellowship In addition, Whitaker has served as the leadership consultant and moderator for the first cohort of the TPI Future Leaders Fellowship Program. He will fill the same role for the second cohort. He reports he was drawn to the program when contacted by TPI in part because of the interactions he’s had with members during the 2020 Conference. “The dynamics among the attendees intrigued me and I enjoy learning about new things. As the lawn at my home in Gainesville has demonstrated, every part of growing grass was a mystery to me.”

He notes in some ways, every group is unique and similar. “The TPI cohort is unique with the components of the business and its seasonality. In leadership issues, they have a lot of commonalities with others.

All successful leaders need to be empathetic, patient, trustworthy, and communicate well and often. My goal was to help the participants strengthen their leadership, teamwork, and communication.”

Whitaker describes his segments of the program as a mix of selecting topics for assigned reading and discussion, facilitating conversations, and conducting workshops. Part of the different sessions focused on learning leadership styles and qualities to better identify their own and those of others on their staff. Whitaker says, “Everyone has role models TPI Turf News January/February 2024

that they admire. The temptation is to try to mirror them.

Instead, be authentic. You do not need to change the core of who you are. Learn the strategies to help offset and support that. Figure out how you communicate. If you’re a listener who wants to pull in information, process it, and then speak, understand how to use that to impact others. If you’re quicker to speak, be aware there will be times you need to hold back and let others respond before moving forward.”

Some of the many topics covered were mentoring others, helping yourself and others affect change in life, trends in motivation, resilience and how to bounce back from adversity, and building stronger teams.

The workshops frequently addressed some of the challenges the participants were facing. Whitaker says, “One of the topics was the H-2A program. The group each shared their unique situation with their seasonal workers and discussed alternatives to develop the best strategies to manage them effectively.”

Whitaker also participated in some of the group trips, helping facilitate the interaction. During the trip to Kansas City, Wade Wilbur hosted the group at The Sod Shop. “That allowed the participants to educate me,” he reports. “Wade mentioned ‘firefly’ a few times and I thought he was referring to the insect, perhaps as a pollinator. But as we headed to the field I learned firefly cost six figures. That was confusing. Then I saw his new FireFly harvester and finally understood. Watching it in action was fascinating.”

He also joined the DC session, meeting Jonathan Moore, TPI’s legislative policy consultant, and taking part in the legislative visits. He says it was a “Fast-paced, informative (and exhausting) trip. It was fascinating to not only watch Casey and Jonathan educate Congressional members and staff on the status of the turfgrass industry and potential support from the government but also to observe—in short order—the FLF group also step in to explain the industry, its component parts and needs to Congress.”

While meeting with Whitaker’s Congressional staffer from the Third District of Florida, Moore asked him to explain TPI’s position. The group reported that he did well in presenting it. (That is a testament to how much he’s learned about the turfgrass industry through FLF between that DC trip and The Sod Shop visit.)

Whitaker reports the program made an impact on the participants. “Each one has honed their leadership and communication skills, becoming more confident and more effective. The networking interaction and oneon-one connections helped the group grow closer and strong bonds were formed. Some have developed other connections on their own. The group likes being together, and while I’d like to take credit, I had nothing to do with TPI Turf News January/February 2024

that. A couple of the participants were putting together a panel and brought it to the group so they could share the experience and have fun doing it. It has been great to watch this happen, kind of organically.”

He has enjoyed the interaction and learning what the participants are going through and he has gained knowledge of the industry and built some strong relationships. Whitaker adds, “When the FLF group first started, I could tell that everyone was excited about it and made it a priority—even when they were jammed up with harvesting and had to jump through hoops to make it work. As the program continued, the mindset shifted to ‘I love this and I’m not going to miss it.’ It has been excellent to see that.”

Participants Evaluate the Program—and Whitaker The cohort was asked to chime in on the overall program, including Whitaker, as they approached “graduation.” All their comments were anonymous, so they could be totally honest in their feedback. Here’s what they had to say.

“He’s the perfect steward leader for a program like this one.”

“I really enjoyed the addition of Nathan to the group and the more comprehensive approach he took with his leadership teachings.”

“Nathan is really enjoyable to listen to. He brings a lot of good stories and life lessons to the group.”

“I hope TPI keeps Nathan around many more years.”

“You can tell that Nathan has a unique personality. I think he was able to connect with everyone on a more personal level at different times throughout our meetings. It is not always easy coming in to speak with professionals in a field someone may know little about. Through our time together I think we learned a lot about leadership styles, qualities, etc. and Nathan became passionate about the sod industry. I thought Nathan also did a good job of showing ‘the other point of view’ when discussing leadership styles and how leaders may differ but can also complement each other in business.”

2024-2025 Future Leaders Fellowship Applications for the 2024-2025 TPI Future Leaders Fellowship cohort will close on January 12, 2024.

See the informational brochure at https://issuu.com/ tpiturfnews/docs/2024_tpi_leader_fellowship_final_6_ For additional information, contact Allie Roed at ARoed@ TurfgrassSod.org.

Suz Trusty is co-editor of Turf News.

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ANNOUNCING THE NEW TPI EXCHANGE PROGAM

By Sarah Nolte The Leadership, Innovation, and Technology (LIT) Committee is excited to announce the new TPI Exchange Program.

The purpose of the TPI Exchange Program is to provide a two-way exchange of information and experience between program participants and host farms. During the course of this program, host farms will provide an opportunity for fast-paced, immersive training for employees of current TPI member farms outside of their region. Host farms will have a chance to showcase their innovative practices, highperforming employees, and anything else they’d like to share with a visiting member from another farm. In turn, the host farm gets an opportunity for someone to view their operation from an outside perspective and learn from them as well.

One of the many benefits of TPI that members often share with us is the ability to come to a TPI event and learn from other farmers outside of their sphere of influence or competition. At its core, that is what the TPI Exchange Program is all about. It’s about providing another opportunity for our members to build relationships, improve their operations, and learn from others to continue to advance our industry.

Why Did We Create This Program?

Because we believe a thriving industry is one participating in an open exchange of ideas and innovative practices that ultimately drive us all forward to do what we do better.

Because not all learning happens in a classroom. Because we believe in these wise words of Albert Einstein, “Learning is experience. Everything else is just information.”

How Does the Program Work?

TPI, along with members of the Leadership, Innovation, and Technology (LIT) Committee, will provide TPI members with a slate of Host Farms who have each agreed to showcase their farm for participation in this program. By being onsite at a host farm, TPI members can experience first-hand the way other farms do things in their region and share information on agronomic practices, equipment maintenance, safety, sales, accounting, marketing, order management, website design, customer service, and so on. TPI will work with host farms and participants to pair them up based on region, preference, duration, etc. and then the host farms and participants will coordinate what works best for them.

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How Long Can I Send My Participant to a Host Farm?

The TPI Exchange Program is designed to last between two and seven days, but the start date and duration will be determined by the Sending and Host Farms. There is no pre-determined requirement for time.

How Do I Sign Up to Send an Employee?

Go to the TPI website (www.TurfgrassSod.org) and click on “TPI Exchange Program” to view a list of host farms and complete a brief application.

How much does the program cost?

The Application Fee to participate in this program is $100.00 per participant from a Sending Farm. The Sending Farm will be responsible for all travel costs associated with sending an employee to a host farm and will also be responsible for keeping their employee on payroll and insurance during their participation in the program.

Additional Things for Sending Farms to Consider • What are the key skills you want your employee to experience? Keep those skills in mind as you discuss the timeframe of the program with the Host Farm.

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What will your per diem be for your employee for meals and entertainment?

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Will you need to arrange for travel visas?

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Does your insurance cover your employee if they are off-site but still “on the clock”?

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How would you like your Participant to document their experience and share any new ideas upon their return?

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Would you like to request a “non-compete” to be signed by the Host Farm and the Sending Farm?

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Other considerations?

Who Would Be an Ideal Participant?

Anyone who will represent your farm with integrity and adhere to the expected behaviors and safety protocols of the Host Farms is an ideal participant. Participants should have a valid ID and insurance coverage. Participants will not be operating any equipment while on the program, but rather are there simply to learn and to exchange ideas with the Host Farm.

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

How Will TPI Promote and Oversee These Experiences?

TPI and the LIT Committee will assist in pairing up Sending Farms with Host Farms during the initial application process. After a participant completes the program, TPI will do a short “exit interview” with the Participant and the Host Farm so they can be highlighted on the website, at conferences, and in Turf News.

Current Host Farms: • SelecTurf, Inc. - Jim Keeven & Kelsey Sandbothe, Jefferson City, MO (USA) •

Debuck’s Sod Farm, Inc - Diane & Greg Mischel, Davison, MI (USA)

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Blue Grass Enterprises, Inc - Sarah Nolte, Alburnett, IA (USA)

Who are the Host Farms?

The current host farms list follows.

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Central Sod - Jack Warpinski, Centreville, MD (USA)

Can I be one? After two participants visit a Host Farm, a new Host Farm will be rolled onto the list to keep it fresh and to not burden any individual Host Farm. Keep checking back for an updated list of Host Farms, and if you want to be a host farm please contact TPI.

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Woerner Farms - Graham Simmons, Foley, Alabama (USA)

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Eagle Lake Professional Landscape Supply - Eric Heuver, Strathmore, Alberta (CANDA)

Sarah Nolte, a third-generation sod farmer, is the business manager for Blue Grass Enterprises, Inc., a family-owned operation in Alburnett, Iowa. She is chair of TPI’s Leadership, Innovation, and Technology Committee.

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

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PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE PROPOSED U.S. SOD CHECKOFF

By Casey Reynolds, PhD The 60-day Public Comment Period for the proposed sod checkoff program and referendum procedures were published on October 16, 2023. It remained open until December 15, 2023. As of the writing of this article, there were 74 public comments on the proposed checkoff and 43 on the referendum procedures.

As many of you may be aware, this is only one of many steps it takes for industries to bring a referendum up for vote on checkoff programs, and we are still likely several months or a year or more away from voting on this program.

One of the things that came out of the 60-day public comment period was that sod producers are not in this alone. Green industry associations such as the Sports Field Management Association (SFMA) and the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), among others, provided public comments that they also see the need to fund research and promotion of natural grass and they are willing to help communicate this among their industries.

It is important to note that public comments from sod producers carry the most weight in this process because ultimately, they are the only ones who get to cast a vote.

However, this type of support could be indicative of the future success of a checkoff program if it were to pass during a nationwide referendum of sod farmers.

At the end of the day, anything that promotes natural grass is good for the landscaping, sports field, and golf course industries whose livelihoods depend on our products.

The comments submitted by the SFMA and NALP follow. Editor’s note: Due to space limitations, the complete body of their correspondence is shown rather than photocopies of the documents.

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I am writing today on behalf of the Sports Field Management Association (SFMA). SFMA advances professionalism in sports field management and safety through education, awareness programs, and industry development. The association has approximately 2,500 members.

SFMA supports the Sod Checkoff program as presented.

Consumers need a better understanding of the value of natural grass sports fields and other green spaces. The research funded by this program will provide key data for our industry regarding the installation and maintenance of natural grass on sports fields. Additionally, safety, playability, and environmentally sound practices are key to this industry. Users of our fields range from young children (and their families) to K-12 students, higher education student-athletes, and professional athletes, impacting millions of individuals every day. Ensuring that we have the research and data to provide the best and safest possible playing surfaces for everyone is crucial.

The sports field management industry would benefit from local and nationwide marketing on the many benefits of natural grass. The 1/10th of one penny per square foot of sod purchased will not create an excessive burden on our members or the industry if sod producers were to pass this cost along.

SFMA stated, “The 1/10th of one penny per square foot of sod purchased will not create an excessive burden on our members or the industry if sod producers were to pass this cost along.”

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

oxygen to the atmosphere. Turfgrasses naturally cool the environment through transpiration. The dense, fibrous root system of turfgrass holds soil in place preventing erosion, and turfgrasses are excellent remediators of all manner of environmental toxins.

The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) represents landscape contractors across the United States that engage in design, construction and maintenance of our nation’s green spaces. Our members are a significant part of the $151 billion annual contribution to the economy, including over one-half million individual businesses that employ over 1 million people. Turfgrass is a ubiquitous feature found in landscapes in many different climates across America, and sod represents a significant and vital means by which turfgrass is established and maintained.

NALP appreciates the opportunity to voice our support for the establishment of a Natural Grass Sod Promotion, Research, and Information Program (“check-off ”). We fully agree with the underlying objective of the program to strengthen the position of sod growers in the marketplace economically. NALP members across the United States utilize sod in enormous quantities for landscape construction projects and have an interest in seeing this program succeed for a number of reasons other than economics, however.

Research on the topic of turfgrass is, by and large, conducted by scientists at Land Grant universities. This research is critical to developing new varieties of turfgrass that are better able to withstand extreme heat and prolonged drought, are able to thrive under reduced inputs such as fertilizer, pesticides and water, and are resistant to weeds, insects and disease. These researchers are also vital in the development of best management practices for the maintenance of turfgrasses as well as integrated pest management protocols that are essential to successful management of weeds, insects and diseases.

In a time when policy addressing the effects of human civilization on the environment is debated, turfgrasses are often cast as villains, monocultures of suburbia robbing vital resources that might otherwise be allocated. Nothing could be further from the truth. The list of benefits is long and significant. Turfgrasses sequester carbon and return TPI Turf News January/February 2024

None of that matters if the environmental risks of turfgrass are not objectively contemplated by competent researchers.

To date, tremendous advances have been made in reducing inputs of fertilizer, pesticides and water while not compromising upon quality and performance.

The landscape industry is tasked with installing and maintaining turfgrass that is grown by producers. While we did not initiate the efforts to establish a grass sod “checkoff ” program we fully support these efforts undertaken by Turfgrass Producers International (TPI). The landscape industry is reliant on access to sod produced by TPI members; but more importantly public misconceptions, outdated research and sod alternatives present tremendous challenges to the value of healthy green spaces throughout the U.S. As the primary purchasers of sod, the landscape industry accepts very minor fees associated with the “check-off ” program to benefit all the verticals within the green industry that will benefit from this program including the growers, retailers and landscapers.

For the reasons stated NALP on behalf of the entire landscape industry endorses the “check-off ” program and look forward to working with USDA AMS and sod producers to implement and support the program.

NALP stated, “As the primary purchasers of sod, the landscape industry accepts very minor fees associated with the “check-off” program to benefit all the verticals within the green industry that will benefit from this program including the growers, retailers and landscapers.”

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

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TPI Turf News January/February 2024

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EVERGREEN TURF UKRAINE Written by Vladislav Gaiduchik Edited by Albrecht Knigge Vladislav Gaiduchik reports on the family business, Evergreen Turf Ukraine.

Our farm is a family business with our main location in the centerwest of Ukraine (near Vinnytsia). This farm has an arable area of more than 500 hectares (1,235.53 acres). We grow wheat, sunflower, canola, and some corn at this site.

80 ha (197.68 acres) of irrigated land were used to produce turfgrass.

I started growing turfgrass in 2010, steadily increasing my experience and sales volumes. In peacetime, the total market for Sod is grown on irrigated land at Evergreen Turf ’s original family farm, their main location near Vinnytsia, in the center-west region of Ukraine. turfgrass sod sales in Ukraine was around 300 ha (741.32 acres), involving up to 15 companies in different regions. The average turfgrass cost is 2 $/sq. m. (2 $/10.76 sq. ft.). The common mixes are cool-season grasses (ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and red fescue).

I grow Kentucky bluegrass from Jacklin Seeds by Barenbrug. I like its performance and appearance. The technique I use is quite common for turfgrass production, Kesmac 2 x 2200 harvesters, RoboMax, big roll harvester, set of mowers and other maintenance equipment, big trucks to deliver the sod, 6x Lindsay central pivots.

Vladislav Gaiduchik sits beside the driver in a company combine harvester.

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Vladislav Gaiduchik’s father stands in a good crop of canola.

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

We recently opened a second farm near Odesa, in the southern region of Ukraine. At this farm, we grow Kentucky bluegrass and a small amount of tall fescue turfgrass. I traveled to our second farm, and on February 21, 2022, had presented the turfgrass we were growing there to our local dealers.

The War with Russia The war with Russia caught me in the south of the country, at our second farm. The war was unexpected for me. Although we had received information that the attack was being prepared, and we discussed it, I did not believe that it would happen. It seemed crazy to start a war in the 21st century against such a country as large as Ukraine.

Moreover, the official authorities assured the residents that there would be no attack.

When a friend called me on February 22, 2022, at 5:00 a.m. and said that the war had begun, my first thoughts were to get to Kiev (to the north) where my house is and where my wife and two young daughters were staying. It's good that the car was fully refueled because all the fuel was instantly sold out at the gas stations, and they closed. I had to drive Evergreen Turf had expanded its sod production to a second farm, near only 300 km (186.41 miles), but that morning the military Odesa, in the southern region of Ukraine. shell-storage warehouse was bombed, and because it was near my route, I had to take a big deviation. The Russians had rushed into Kiev from three directions—the north, east, and west—so only the road to the south was safe for travel.

As I entered Kiev, I saw so many cars leaving the city that it created a huge traffic jam with five rows of cars stretching for 50 km (31.07 miles).

It is still unclear what happened in the first days of the war when Russian troops had no resistance and occupied territories comparable to a small European country. It is obvious that there was a betrayal of the country at the top of leadership. This topic has not been publicly discussed until now, and there are definitely reasons why the current leadership of the country does not talk about it. Only thanks to the patriotism of the Ukrainian people who went to defend their land en masse stopped the occupiers, and with time and with the support of Western countries returned part of the lost territories.

For a while, I forgot about business and helped with housing for immigrants from other areas. We also provided all possible assistance to the military. We immediately handed over two company trucks, and later several pickup trucks. The military issued requests for bulletproof vests, helmets, sights, and thermal imagers. We were able to source those items from international donors and then provide them to the military.

This traffic jam was created by people fleeing Kiev by car on February 24, 2022, when the Russian attack started.

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

Military aviation pilots asked for modern electronic navigation aids. They were needed for the transport aircraft that usually fly quite high, but now had to fly at such a low altitude of 10-40 yards (9.14-36.58 meters), it puts them at risk of hitting obstacles like a tower or power lines.

Thanks to private pilots from England, it was possible to get navigation implements with accurate and up-to-date obstacle databases.

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Back to Business on the Farm The impact of the war on our business has been huge. Our sales in the year 2022 fell more than two times. The work of the farm in the south, in which we had high hopes before the war, had to be stopped and about 15 hectares (37.07 acres) of turfgrass were plowed under.

For the first six months, we experienced a large shortage of diesel fuel. Though huge queues formed, the gas stations sold no more than 10 liters (2.64 gallons) to each vehicle. Thank God we had several tons of diesel fuel in stock on our farm before the war, which made it possible to carry out the necessary fieldwork.

Last autumn, Russia launched missile strikes on Ukrainian power plants. One of them is located near our main farm. I watched it being bombed myself. The problem is that not only electricity, but also hot water for heating is lost, and for some time, without being powered, the Internet and mobile communication were also unavailable.

Only because of diesel fuel stored on the farm was it possible to carry out the necessary field work.

Evergreen Turf farm workers watched as a Russian missile hit and destroyed the power plant in the town.

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TPI Turf News January/February 2024

The impact of the war on Evergreen Turf ’s business has been huge, yet they will continue to produce turfgrass for sod on their original farm.

Now, after a year and a half, turfgrass lawn sales are gradually recovering. The irrigatable fields where the turfgrass was grown previously were then sown with other crops. However, grain prices have also fallen at times. I plan to switch some hectares to specialty crops such as sugar beets and possibly vegetables in the south. We will continue to produce turfgrass for sod on our original farm.

With the horizon unknown, the brave people of Ukraine face a long, difficult way ahead of them and greatly appreciate military and humanitarian support.

I hope the brave people of Ukraine will survive and elect a worthy future without being fooled by the oligarchs who monopolized TV. In any case, we have a long, difficult way ahead of us. We believe in victory, and if you want to help us, donate to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Or consider donating to well-researched and vetted humanitarian aid groups. One suggestion is German St. John’s Mission Siret, which operates out of Romania and delivers humanitarian aid across the border into Ukraine. https://missionsiret.de The author of this article is Vladislav Gaiduchik, owner of Evergreen Turf Ukraine. It is edited by TPI Board member Albrecht Knigge, owner of Rasenland in Germany. All photos courtesy of Vladislav Gaiduchik.

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

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ASSOCIATION UPDATES Turf Australia shares news with its members through a monthly email called Quick Cuts. The first three items below were featured in the November 5, 2023, email.

Hort Innovation 2022/23 Annual Report and accompanying 2022/23 Fund Annual Report Quick Cuts reported that Hort Innovation had published its annual reports for the 37 horticulture industries it looks after. Take a closer look at what has been achieved for the horticulture sector over the past year at the link that follows: https://www.horticulture. com.au/hort-innovation/funding-consultation-and-investing/ investment-documents/fund-annual-reports/.

Understanding Efficiency Efficiency has always been top of mind for our customers with the perception of being efficient and well-managed one of the top four drivers of value for money. WSAA commissioned Frontier to produce the report Understanding Efficiency to explain in plain English the concepts of economic efficiency and how they apply to the water sector. Learn more at the link that follows. https://www.wsaa.asn.au/publication/ understanding-efficiency?

Say NO to plastic and YES to natural turf.

The last two items were featured in the Turf Australia Quick Cuts email that was issued on December 3, 2023.

Welcoming John Keleher back to the Turf Australia Board John Keleher is one of the country’s leading turf growers and agronomists and has worked extensively as an agricultural consultant for most of his career. He is not new to the TA Board having previously held the positions of vice-president, then president, in the early 2000s. He has a solid history of introducing innovative ideas that positively impact the bottom line. John’s devotion to turf production and research has provided the opportunity for new and exciting practices in Australia’s turf industry, such as cost of production, and precision farming for growers. John has served on the Board of Trustees for Turfgrass Producers International (TPI). He is Managing Director for both Australian Lawn Concepts and Glenview Turf.

Horticulture Australia Crisis Management Guidelines Crisis Management Guidelines have been developed under the auspices of the Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) Across Industry Program Industry Management Committee (IMC) in order to assist members of the horticulture industry to respond to a crisis or uncontained situation.

The IMC recognizes that a potential crisis can arise from a range of actual or perceived circumstances ranging from accidental physical, chemical, or microbial contamination of food or the environment; workplace accidents; intentional and malicious sabotage; extortion; civil unrest; natural disaster, etc. Furthermore, the IMC recognizes that these events may relate to different levels of the industry including the individual company level, the specific industry level, or encompass a cross-section of, or the entire, horticulture sector. The incident may relate to several businesses in a number of industry sectors in a distinct geographical region.

Turf Australia is mindful that synthetic turf is a hot topic for all the wrong reasons at the moment. We are taking the matter of natural vs synthetic seriously and are currently progressing a media release and fact sheets in response to recent claims made by the artificial turf industry here in Australia. We are seeing multiple articles about the downsides of synthetic turf, especially coming from the sporting sectors. You can view some of these articles here: Beacher Report: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10089309nflpa-calls-for-elimination-of-artificial-turf-fields-to-avoidunnecessary-injuries.

The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/ sep/10/artificial-grass-australia-environmental-impacts Rubber Recycling: https://www.tyreandrubberrecycling.com/ articles/news/synthetic-turf-warning-bells-in-australia/

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These Guidelines have been developed with the intention of being used at the ‘whole of horticulture’ level. However, the IMC has also ensured that these Guidelines have sufficient flexibility to be able to be used as a template for individual companies and peak industry bodies within horticulture to customize to their own circumstances or to supplement existing plans where these exist.

Use in this way is encouraged.

Attached to this document is a self-assessment tool that Peak Industry Bodies (PIBs) and individual companies can use to determine their own level of preparedness to manage an uncontained situation.

Read the Report at the link that follows. https://www. horticulture.com.au/globalassets/laserfiche/assets/project-reports/ tu16003/tu16003---final-report-complete.pdf

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

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FORECAST 2024— NAVIGATING A TRICKY ECONOMIC TERRAIN

By Phillip M. Perry

High interest rates and slower economic growth will put increasing pressure on business profits in 2024. The good news is that economists expect the Federal Reserve to lower inflation to desired levels by the end of the year. Robust housing activity, high employment, and optimistic consumers will help the nation sidestep a recession.

Fasten your seat belts and enjoy the ride. Like airline travelers bracing for expected turbulence, business owners are preparing for a tricky operating environment in 2024. On the upside, the economy will continue to grow, although at a slower pace. Consumers and businesses are both feeling fairly optimistic, unemployment remains low, capital investments are plugging along at a healthy pace, and the all-important housing market is showing signs of burgeoning.

Throwing cold water on the good times, though, is a significant downer that no one can control: Higher interest rates established by the Federal Reserve to control inflation are putting a damper on business activity. Economists are taking note by lowering expectations for the next 12 months.

“We expect real GDP to grow 1.4 percent in 2024,” said Bernard Yaros, Jr., Assistant Director and Economist at Moody’s Analytics (economy.com). That’s slower than the 2.1 percent increase expected when 2023 numbers are finally tallied, and below the 2.0 percent to 3.0 percent considered emblematic of normal business growth. (Gross Domestic Product, the total value of the nation’s goods and services, is the most commonly accepted measurement of economic growth. “Real” GDP adjusts for inflation.)

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Slowing commercial activity will affect the bottom line.

Moody’s Analytics expects a decline of 4.5 percent in corporate profits for 2023 and forecasts only a modest recovery of 0.3 percent in 2024.

Battling inflation Reports from the field confirm the economists’ readings.

“Our members are experiencing a business slowdown, due largely to the effect of increasing interest rates,” said Tom Palisin, Executive Director of The Manufacturers' Association, a York, PA-based regional employers' group with more than 370 member companies (mascpa.org).

While businesses understand the need for higher interest rates, they nevertheless hope for early relief. “If inflation does not continue to drop, interest rates will have to be increased further, which will be a big problem,” said Palisin.

So are the Federal Reserve’s efforts paying off ? There’s some good news here, as well as a sunny forecast. Moody’s Analytics expects year-over-year consumer price inflation to average 3.2 percent when 2023 numbers are finally tallied, down from over 6 percent a year earlier. Moreover, the number should continue to drop until it reaches the Fed’s target rate of 2 percent late in 2024. (These figures TPI Turf News January/February 2024

represent the “core personal consumption expenditure deflator (PCED),” which strips out food and energy prices and is the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation).

While businesses understand the need for higher interest rates, they nevertheless hope for early relief.

Indeed, Moody’s Analytics believes the Fed will start to lower interest rates around June of 2024, although more slowly than previously anticipated because of persistent inflation and ongoing labor market tightness. Cuts of about 25 basis points per quarter are expected over the next few years until the Federal Funds Rate reaches 2.75 percent by the fourth quarter of 2026 and 2.5 percent in 2027.

Feeling Good The public mood is a strong driver of the economy.

And here the news is good. “Consumer confidence has been trending higher, and I think prospects are good for it to improve next year,” said Scott Hoyt, Senior Director of Consumer Economics for Moody’s Analytics (economy.com). “Things should normalize as the economy continues to grow and gas prices stabilize.”

8 percent to 10 percent in both 2022 and 2023, far higher than the historic average of 2.5 percent to 3.0 percent.

Problem number two is a scarcity of workers. The inability to hire enough people—particularly of the skilled variety— can affect the bottom line. Two problems contributing to a labor shortage are the retirement of baby boomers and a post-pandemic reordering many people are making of their life goals. “Demographic structural changes in the U.S. mean we just don’t have, in many cases, the number of workers needed in manufacturing to meet demand,” said Palisin. “That's not going to change.”

The situation has become a bit nuanced as the recent economic deceleration resulted in a hiring slowdown. “The labor market is still tight, but it’s not as bad as it was a couple of years ago,” said Bill Conerly, Principal of his own consulting firm in Lake Oswego, Oregon (conerlyconsulting. com). “While we still have more job openings than unemployed people, the margin is not as large, and we don’t have all the quiet quitting that we had before.”

One major driver of consumer confidence is a healthy job market. “The unemployment rate has been very low, bouncing around between 3.5 percent and 3.8 percent for some time,” said Hoyt. A slowdown in job growth orchestrated by the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes should moderate things.

“We think unemployment will trend upward a bit, ending 2023 around 3.9 percent and 2024 around 4.2 percent.” (Many economists peg an unemployment rate of 3.5 percent to 4.5 percent as the “sweet spot” that balances the risks of wage escalation and economic recession.)

Low unemployment may fuel happy sentiments among citizens, but it presents employers with two practical challenges. The first is the need to raise wages to attract sufficient workers. “Wage and salary income growth has been strong, fueled by a tight labor market,” said Hoyt. “We're expecting it to increase just a shade over 5 percent both for 2023 and 2024.” In 2022, the growth was a little over 8 percent.

Reinforcing the estimates of the economists, Palisin said his members have had to hike their compensation to remain competitive among themselves and other economic sectors. The group’s entry-level hourly wages increased an eye-popping TPI Turf News January/February 2024

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While employers never like having to raise wages, putting a cap on paychecks has taken a back seat to a more urgent concern: keeping valuable talent from jumping ship.

“The big question now is not so much who can pay the most for entry-level and skilled jobs, but what can they do to retain these folks within their companies,” said Palisin. “Manufacturing in the U.S. over the last year has continued to hire pretty significantly, and we’re not seeing a lot of layoffs, so that tells you that companies are hoarding talent.” Employers are fine-tooling their operations in the areas of workplace flexibility, benefits, and culture changes.

Housing Markets Given the generally upbeat consumer sentiment, prospects are good for the housing sector, an important driver of the overall economy. “New home sales are running at the top end of the range set in the decade preceding the pandemic,” said Yaros. “One reason is that a lack of existing inventory is pushing buyers to consider new homes. The construction industry is stepping in to close the gap, and housing starts have exceeded expectations.”

The construction of new homes is being fueled by a cold hard fact: There aren’t enough existing homes to meet demand. “The 3.1 months’ supply of existing homes remains well below the four to six months of inventory that is considered a balanced housing market,” noted Yaros. Strong demand caused a 10.3 percent increase in the median price for existing homes in 2022, and a 0.6 percent increase in 2023. A correction of 1.1 percent is expected in 2024.

For an explanation of the scarcity, look no further than the run-up in mortgage rates. The ultra-low interest rates of existing mortgages amount to a strong financial incentive for existing homeowners to stay put. “Current homeowners had refinanced their investments at 3 percent or 4 percent,” noted Conerly. “Replacing what they had with better homes would require walking away from those mortgages to take on new ones at 7 percent. I think we’ll see this trend continue for another year, but I think we'll also see a lot of strength in remodeling, and that will be financed probably with home equity lending or second mortgages.”

Given the generally upbeat consumer sentiment, prospects are good for the housing sector, an important driver of the overall economy.

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Business Confidence High interest rates, an inflationary environment, and rising worker wages: a trilogy of challenges that in normal times would dampen business confidence. And there are other threats to corporate well-being, such as high energy costs resulting from the Russia-Ukraine war and an appreciation in the U.S. dollar that hampers export activity.

Despite all this, companies don’t seem to be planning any dramatic adjustments to their operations, in marked contrast to their cautious attitude of a year earlier. “While our members have moderated their expectations for the future, they are still feeling slightly positive,” said Palisin.

“One reason is that we seem to have avoided the recession that many were predicting.” Moody’s Analytics believes that the nation will avoid a recession in 2024, attributing its forecast of a soft landing to resilience in labor markets and consumer confidence.

Another driver of optimism is a recent brightening of the supply chain picture. “There has definitely been a shift in the awareness of the risks of doing business in China,” said Palisin. “This has resulted in a reorganizing of supply chains into nations such as Vietnam, Philippines, India, Mexico, and the U.S. The jury is still out as to what nations will benefit most.”

Indeed, many businesses are taking action on their good feelings. “The commercial sector looks very strong to me,” said Conerly. “Given the current level of interest rates, I’ve been surprised to see the healthy level of capital spending.”

Conerly said that manufacturing facilities seem to be the biggest gainers in non-residential construction, with new semiconductor facilities especially benefiting from the CHIPS Act. Suburban office construction has been doing surprisingly well, despite vacancy rates in urban centers. So have suburban neighborhood strip centers, which had been neglected for too long because of fears that Amazon would capture all of the retail business.

Conerly identifies three forces propping up equipment purchases. The first is the CHIPS Act and the construction of semiconductor facilities. The second is the automation being installed by companies nervous about being able to hire people. And the third is the trend toward reshoring by companies that are trying to shorten their supply chains.

Businesses looking to borrow funds to fuel capital investments, though, had best prepare for a tougher negotiating environment. “The banking sector is in retrenchment and lenders are becoming more risk averse,” said Anirban Basu, Chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group (sagepolicy.com). “As a result, developers are having more difficulty lining up financing.” Fueling the concern among financial institutions is a recent spate of loan delinquencies and bankruptcies. Banks are looking at TPI Turf News January/February 2024

their portfolios and seeing where they can tighten up. Companies holding inexpensive pre-pandemic loans will see an earnings hit when they need to refinance at six or seven percent.

Prepare for a Soft Landing

Keeping Watch In the opening months of 2024, economists are advising businesses to keep an eye on some key statistics to get an idea of how the year will turn out. Among them: # Inflation. “If progress in core disinflation stalls out, that would likely mean the Fed will keep interest rates at their current level for longer than we are currently assuming,” said Yaros. # Employment. “Total employment in the country is a good measure of current conditions,” said Conerly. “And any increase in initial claims for unemployment insurance could foreshadow a slowdown.” # The yield curve. “A reversion in which short-term interest rates exceed long-term ones could foreshadow a coming economic slowdown,” said Conerly.

U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Annual Percentage Change

Economists predict slowing growth for 2024.

2014: 2.3 percent 2015: 2.7 percent 2016: 1.7 percent 2017: 2.2 percent 2018: 2.9 percent 2019: 2.3 percent 2020: -2.8 percent 2021: 5.9 percent

Whatever the condition of the tea leaves, businesses in general will encounter a tougher operating environment in 2024, characterized by a need to finesse a tight labor market and reluctant lenders.

“In the coming year we will face uncertainty about inflation and interest rates, shortages of labor, higher energy costs, a slowdown in China’s economy, and recurring threats of a federal government shutdown,” said Palisin. “There are a lot of spinning plates in the air, and some of them may fall and crack.”

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

2022: 2.1 percent *2023: 2.1 percent *2024: 1.4 percent Sources: World Bank; *projections by Moody’s Analytics.

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On the Ag Side The Turf News editors share highlights from the Ag Industry forecasts and business economists' predictions they have been monitoring.

AgWeb.com reported on December 7, 2023, that current signals in the U.S. economy indicate the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates significantly in 2024. An initial cut could be made as early as the first quarter of 2024, though many analysts say cuts won’t begin until at least the second quarter. That’s encouraging news for the Ag economy.

Agricultural producers’ sentiment increased for the second consecutive month, as the Purdue University/ CME Group Ag Economy Barometer https://ag.purdue. edu/commercialag/ageconomybarometer/ index rose 5 points to a reading of 115, a 12 percent increase compared to the previous year. The sentiment growth is largely attributed to farmers’ improved perceptions of their farms’ financial conditions and prospects. The report, issued on December 5, 2023, gives the results of the Ag Economy Barometer survey that was conducted from November 13 to 17.

The Index of Current Conditions rose 12 points to 113 while the Index of Future Expectations improved by 2 points to 116. The Farm Financial Performance Index also rose in November to a reading of 95, which is up 3 points from October. The financial index reached its low point back in the spring. The November reading was 25 percent higher than in May and 10 percent higher than at the start of the fall harvest in September.

The Farm Capital Investment Index has fluctuated throughout 2023 but rebounded this month to a reading of 42, up 7 points from October. Over the last several months, producers who view the investment climate as favorable were asked why they feel that way.

The percentage of respondents choosing “strong cash flows” has been drifting lower since summer when approximately 40 percent of respondents chose that as their primary reason. This month just 22 percent of respondents chose “strong cash flows” with “higher dealer inventories,” chosen by 29 percent of respondents, claiming the top spot as to why now is a good time to make large investments, implying a potential change in market conditions. The report noted the shift suggests that farmers might be seeing a moderation in farm equipment price rises, making it a more favorable time for large investments.

Top concerns for the upcoming year include higher input costs (32 percent), rising interest rates (26 percent), and lower crop and/or livestock prices (20 percent). Notably, there has been a shift in concern throughout the year, with fewer producers expressing worry over higher input costs compared to the beginning of the year. Instead, more producers are now concerned about rising interest rates and lower crop and livestock prices. Further details are available at the link provided at the beginning of this Ag Economy Barometer report.

Every Ag and Business economic entity reported that U.S. legislative action in November of 2023 extended all programs at levels provided in the 2018 Farm Bill through September 30, 2024. The brief reprieve has been viewed with relief, but Farm Bill concerns still linger.

The Farm Bill is an omnibus, multiyear bill that supports vital programs in agriculture and social welfare in America. The legislative package is designed to be renewed every five years, and there have been 18 bills passed since its inception in the 1930s. A major concern is the inability of the current legislature to develop the next five-year bill within the targeted deadline and doubts that it will be accomplished during the extension.

Many sources view the Farm Bill as more than a piece of legislation, considering it “the blueprint for the future of American agriculture.” As Nathan Bowen, advocacy and public affairs vice president at the Irrigation Association, states, “The farm bill sets the tone for the next five years in terms of funding, education, infrastructure, and several social welfare programs that have a tremendous impact on the agriculture industry, rural America, and the irrigation industry.”

That association, along with many others, including TPI, are determined to use the Farm Bill extension as an additional opportunity to make their voices heard.

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 web site at www.editorialcalendar.net.

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TPI Turf News January/February ruaryy 22024 024

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

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ROOTED IN RESEARCH WHAT SPECIES IS BEST FOR A LOW-INPUT LAWN? —“IT’S COMPLICATED”

By Cale A. Bigelow, PhD Welcome back to another installment of Rooted in Research.

As I write this in early December, the 2023 growing season is completed. Dormancy gives us a chance to take stock and reflect upon what cultural practices worked and what didn’t throughout the past year. For lawns, we focus on the fundamental “right plant right place” and an emphasis on reasonable mowing heights and feeding to promote steady plant vigor. Turfgrass textbooks are never short of “rules of thumb” about what may or may not work. Like anything in life, a one-size-fits-all approach can be wasteful and there is always an element of “It depends.”

displaying differential weed encroachment responses (mostly broadleaf weeds like dandelion) due to lawn species, mowing height, and annual nitrogen inputs. The results of this three-year study were published in Weed Technology in 2012 (DeBels et al. 2012). Spoiler alert! The general findings were: 1. “It’s complicated” and 2. For a low-input lawn with fewer weeds, we should plant more improved turf-type tall fescue.

The objective of their research study was to “evaluate visible quality and weed susceptibility of a variety of cool season grasses under multiple management regimes in Wisconsin.” It appears the motivation for this field study was based on several factors. First, the results of a similar study conducted in Michigan a few years prior had As I pondered topics for this article, I couldn't help but recently been presented and published at the International look back into my turfgrass travels from 2023 and what Turf Research Society meeting (Calhoun et al., 2005).

I learned about basic cultural inputs like the effect of That study had focused on optimizing lawn herbicide mowing height and nitrogen fertility on lawns. In June, treatments by understanding how specific cultural inputs I attended a research conference in Madison, Wisconsin, where I had the opportunity to tour the O.J. Noer Research may affect the need and number of herbicide applications.

One limitation of the study was that it was conducted Station with Kurt Hockemeyer, one of our former Purdue students and anchor of Dr. Paul Koch’s turfgrass pathology on a mixed stand of cool-season lawn species. While research program. He showed us many of the research lawn seed species mixtures provide genetic diversity in a research study, multiple species can confound observations studies and we eventually came to an area that was still and interpretation since we know different species often respond differently to inputs. Further, our turfgrass breeding colleagues have consistently introduced better and better high-quality turf-type tall fescues. Historically throughout much of the Midwest, the turf-type tall fescues have not been promoted for lawns due to observations that older varieties had poor cold and ice tolerance when compared to traditional grasses like Kentucky The influence of increasing nitrogen fertilizer application on a low-fertility Dresden silt-loam for bluegrass. Lastly, a consumer improved Kentucky bluegrass (A) and tall fescue (B).

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TPI Turf News January/February 2024

lawn behavior survey was presented at the Crop Science meetings and reported that nearly 60 percent of consumers do not apply any fertilizer (Augustin, 2007). This fact contrasts with what is recommended for a healthy, persistent lawn but speaks to consumer desire for ultra-low input lawns. Thus, the present study was born!

The Wisconsin researchers evaluated three factors which were: five lawn grasses (a common-type Kentucky bluegrass ‘Kenblue’, an improved America-type Kentucky bluegrass ‘Kingfisher’, chewings fineleaf fescue ‘Victory II’, perennial ryegrass ‘Jiffe II’, and a turf-type tall fescue ‘Grande II’), three mowing heights (1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 inches, mowed weekly with clippings returned) and three annual nitrogen regimes (0, 2 and 4 pounds of actual nitrogen per year). The granular nitrogen was applied in 1 pound per 1000 square foot increments. The 2-pound rate was applied in May and September whereas the 4-pound rate was applied in May, July, September, and October.

The study was conducted in a full-sun environment on silt-loam soil with an organic matter content of 4.1-4.3 percent in the upper 0-6 inches and supplementally irrigated three times weekly during the growing season.

The researchers assessed the effects of the study factors on visual appearance/quality and weed encroachment.

Before I do a deep dive into results, I should remind readers that the traditional textbook “rule of thumb” concerning reducing our reliance on herbicides for weed control is to “cultivate a dense, healthy, turf.” Thus, it would generally be a foregone conclusion that closer-mowed turf receiving less nitrogen nutrition would likely result in more unwanted weeds. However, to quote ESPN College GameDay host Lee Corso, “Not so fast my friend!!!”. The study data actually found “It depends…” since each of the species performed differently to the inputs.

For example, chewings fescue, perennial ryegrass, and both Kentucky bluegrasses performed poorly where nitrogen was withheld. They required a minimum of 2 pounds of annual nitrogen to provide a visually acceptable lawn. Further, while the appearance of the America-type Kentucky bluegrass improved as annual nitrogen was increased from 2 to 4 pounds, the common-type Kentucky bluegrass did not. For perennial ryegrass, it required at least 2 pounds of annual nitrogen as it was negatively affected by rust disease in the summer months. What was most surprising was the turf-type tall fescue responses. The tall fescue maintained a minimally acceptable level of appearance/quality over the three study years with only a single application of starter fertilizer at planting. The ability to not supply any nitrogen is likely due to nitrogen mineralization from the 4 percent soil organic matter. Many disturbed urban soils possess much lower organic matter (e.g., < 1.5 percent) and require

Dandelion was the most abundant lawn weed found in the Wisconsin study.

supplemental feeding during establishment. Further, the lack of effect of the 4-pound annual nitrogen rate on this soil suggests that tall fescue could be maintained with 2 pounds, which is 1 pound less than the Wisconsin healthy lawn recommendations.

For species response to the three mowing heights, there was a general declining trend in quality as the mowing height decreased. Tall fescue, however, was the only species to provide minimally acceptable quality at all heights of cut.

Increasing the cutting height from 1.5 to 2.5 or 3.5 inches did, however, improve appearance. For weed abundance, mowing height had a strong effect, with the most abundant lawn weed being common dandelion. Consistent with prior research, there were fewer weeds at higher mowing heights (Calhoun et al., 2005). Among the species, tall fescue had the fewest weeds, ranging from 1-8 percent with the least weeds at 3.5 inches. By contrast, ‘Kenblue’ Kentucky bluegrass had the most, ranging from 12-44 percent dandelion.

So what does this all mean? In the authors’ summary, they stated, “tall fescue is an alternative turfgrass for lawns that had minimal weed invasion and provided acceptable quality at low fertilizer rates over a variety of mowing heights.” In other words, those landowners desiring a low-input lawn (e.g., few nutritional or herbicide inputs) in the Upper Midwest should consider planting predominantly improved turf-type tall fescue blends or mixtures. Until next time, belated happy holidays, and be well.

References: Augustin, B. 2007. Perception vs. reality: how much nitrogen do homeowners put on their lawn? In Annual meeting abstracts: ASACSSA-SSSA annual meetings.

Calhoun, R.N., G.J. Rinehard, A.D. Hathaway and D.D. Buhler. 2005.

Maximizing cultural practices to minimize weed pressure and extend herbicide treatment interval in a cool-season turfgrass mixture. Intl.

Turfgrass Res. Soc. J. 10:1184-1188.

DeBels, B.T., S.E. Griffity, W.C. Kreuser, E.S. Melby and D.J. Soldat.

2012. Evaluation of mowing height and fertilizer application rate on quality and weed abundance of five home lawn grasses. Weed Technology 26:826-831.

Cale Bigelow, PhD, is a professor of Turfgrass 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 Science at Pennsylvania State University, Berks Campus. They are teaming to provide a Rooted in Research article for each issue of Turf News. Photos courtesy of Doug Soldat, University of Wisconsin

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

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HAPPENINGS Seed Industry Veteran Bill Dunn Retires from DLF A DLF press release of November 14, 2023, provided the following information. It’s bittersweet to announce Bill Dunn’s last day at DLF was December 31, 2023.

After a long and illustrious career in the green industry, he has decided to retire.

Bill Dunn has been instrumental in the evolution of the company in North America, starting with Seed Research of Oregon 23 years ago in the aftermath of the ABT bankruptcy. As a sales leader, he led his groups through several acquisitions while continuing to build a presence in both domestic and international markets.

“I am proud that Seed Research of Oregon remains a valued brand within the DLF portfolio and is supported by the most knowledgeable group in the industry,” Dunn said.

Dunn postponed his 2022 retirement plans by a year to help lead the company’s bentgrass production in the Willamette Valley.

“Building relationships is essentially a sales function, whether it’s with customers or growers. You need to figure out the best way to communicate with people, and be responsive, honest, and respectful,” said Dunn.

Throughout his career, Dunn’s leadership has extended beyond DLF to the entire seed industry. He is a past president of the Atlantic Seed Association (2001), Oregon Seed Trade Association (2011), and Oregon Seed Council (2013). He began his career with eight years in sales at Rockland Chemical covering New York and New Jersey, before becoming sales manager for Lofts Seed. Five years later, Dunn joined ZAJAC Performance Seed, where he worked for five years as national accounts manager before returning to Lofts Seed, which had been purchased by ABT, the company that sent him to Oregon.

He has also been a trusted advisor and mentor at DLF. “I’ve enjoyed watching talented people in our company grow their careers and being in a position to provide guidance and support when they needed it. I certainly had a lot of great mentors and people who helped me along the way.”

Knowing DLF is in good hands made his retirement decision much easier. He pointed to improved turnaround times for customers and a renewed focus on the entire supply chain as positive signs for the future. “The recent investments by DLF have been strategic, and the new leaders’ approach shows everyone is valued. I feel confident about the company going forward,” said Dunn.

Many at DLF have engaged in Dunn’s transition over the last year to ensure that his knowledge and expertise are transferred effectively. DLF is excited to carry on his legacy in the professional turfgrass market under the leadership of Sean Chaney, vice president of U.S. wholesale, along with its professional turfgrass experts across all regions of the U.S. DLF sincerely thanks Bill Dunn for his many years of service and wishes him a happy retirement and the best of luck on the golf course.

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Woerner Turf & Landscape Supply Opens New Jacksonville Store

Woerner Turf & Landscape Supply of Jacksonville employees and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce celebrate the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Woerner Turf & Landscape Supply celebrated the grand opening of their new location off Philips Highway on October 26 with a ribbon cutting presented by the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. The store supplies premium turfgrasses that are locally grown by Woerner Turf ’s sod farm located in Vero Beach, Florida.

This is Woerner’s fourth store location in the southeast, and second in Florida. Woerner serves landscapers and homeowners in the area with top-quality turfgrass and landscape materials.

Woerner Turf anticipates more locations to come.

Woerner Turf & Landscape Supply markets warm-season turfgrass varieties. Woerner also offers a variety of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and other lawn maintenance products.

Woerner Turf has numerous sod farms and landscape supply stores strategically placed in the southeast for an optimal supply of fresh sod. With over 100 years of farming experience, this family-owned and operated business has spent over 40 of those years specializing in the production of premium turfgrasses.

Congratulations to Allie and Jacob TPI Membership and Marketing Manager Allie Shriver is pleased to announce her marriage to Jacob Roed on October 14, 2023, in Wilmington, NC. A private reception was held at The Atrium immediately following the ceremony. The couple is thrilled to begin married life with their three-year-old son, Jameson Roed, in Raleigh, NC. Editor's Note: Allie is now using her married name, Allie Roed. Her new email address is ARoed@TurfgrassSod.org. Her business phone number will remain the same: 847-787-7631.

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

HAPPENINGS David Taylor Honored by FFA STEC Equipment, Inc., posted this on Facebook.

The purpose of the Honorary American Degree is to honor individuals who have provided exceptional service to agriculture, agricultural education, or FFA. It is the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization.

The presentation was made during the 2023 FFA Conference which was held November 1-4, 2023.

Profile® Products Made Positive Contributions During Community Impact Week Profile Products®, LLC reports in a November 21 press release that employees across the U.S., Canada, India, and The Netherlands came together to volunteer and support charities and foundations and participate in various local community projects for its first Profile Community Impact Week. The initiative united more than 150 employees at 12 company locations across the world, along with employees working remotely, to create positive impacts in their local communities. The projects took place during the week of October 16 to 20.

“The effect of Community Impact Week goes far beyond the activities of this single week. It’s about building a legacy of community and creating lasting change,” said Rebecca Young, chief human resources officer for Profile Products.

“Our employees’ enthusiastic participation demonstrates our commitment to making a positive difference in the communities where we live, work, and play.”

Throughout the week, Profile employees engaged in activities aimed at supporting local charities, enhancing community spaces, and participating in worthy causes. Each location selected an organization or activity based on input from employees. Three of the twelve locations’ projects are highlighted here.

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

Conover, N.C.: To address food insecurities in the area, employees volunteered at the Hickory Soup Kitchen and collected food and hygiene kits for local organizations.

St. Catharines, Ont.: A fundraiser was organized for Start Me Up Niagara, a community organization that provides vital assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness.

Tamil Nadu, India: The India team donated food items, stationery, and sweets to a non-governmental organization that provides support to deserted children and senior citizens. The team also delivered the items to the THAAI ANBALAYAM facility interacting with residents and staff.

Four separate North American virtual teams individually supported causes including a fundraiser campaign for Every Kids Sports, ensuring that underserved youth have access to organized sports. Other teams participated in 5K walks or charitable giving to support the Animal Human Society, National Forest Foundation, Surfrider Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity.

“Community Impact Week brings to life our core values, one of which is to ‘Foster a Passion for a Better Tomorrow’,” said Shane Porzio, president and CEO of Profile Products. The company will “… continue our journey of community engagement to enrich the lives of our employees and make our communities better places for everyone.”

McNitt Retires from Penn State Andrew McNitt, PhD, professor of soil science, director of the Center for Sports Surface Research and technical adviser to the National Football League (NFL), retired from Penn State after a 40-year career in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

McNitt came to Penn State in 1979, and, after earning a bachelor’s degree in horticulture, served as an extension educator in Philadelphia County, where he worked on ornamental horticulture and sports turf management.

He went on to earn a master’s degree and a doctorate from Penn State, focusing on methods of characterizing traction on athletic field surfaces and improving the stability of sand-based sports fields and hybrid natural/artificial turf surfaces. In 1998, McNitt became a faculty instructor and helped create Penn State’s World Campus turfgrass curriculum.

In 2000, he joined the former Department of Agronomy as an assistant professor of soil science and, over the next 23 years, served as a faculty member and mentor to more than 1,000 turfgrass students.

McNitt’s research focused on athletic field surface characterization and golf-green construction and maintenance.

He established the Center for Sports Surface Research, an intercollege program managed within the Department of Plant Science, with assistance from graduate students and Tom Serensits, manager of the center and a former assistant field manager for the Philadelphia Eagles. The center is a primary source of information on sports field surface-related injuries and research on assessing field conditions for major sporting events.

In retirement, McNitt said he plans to help several NFL venues prepare for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament and to continue managing his family’s farm.

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TURFGRASS INDUSTRY NEWS New Form I-9 Became Mandatory on November 1, 2023 In its “News and Updates” email of October 24, 2023, the Federation of Employers & Workers of America (FEWA) reported that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, making significant changes to the form and its instructions.

Employers DO NOT need to complete the new Form I-9 (Rev. 08/01/23) for current employees who already have a properly completed Form I-9 on file unless you have employees who are new hires, subject to reverification, and/or rehires after October 31, 2023.

Beginning November 1, 2023, Employers may be subject to penalties if Form I-9 is not properly completed or for employment discrimination occurring during the employment eligibility verification process. See 8 U.S.C. section 1324a and section 1324b, 8 CFR section 274a.10, and 28 CFR Part 44. Individuals may also be prosecuted for knowingly and willfully entering false information, or for presenting fraudulent documentation, to complete Form I-9.

The current Form I-9 can be downloaded, instructions, and the Federal Register Notice viewed at the links that follow.Form I-9: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9 View instructions: https://www.uscis.gov/downloading-andprinting-immigration-forms Federal Register Notice: https://public-inspection.federalregister. gov/2023-15667.pdf U.S. Healthcare Resources for Seasonal Workers In its “News and Updates” email of October 24, 2023, FEWA also reported that health centers are located all over the U.S. and are available to H-2A and H-2B seasonal/temporary workers and their families even if they do not have health insurance.

Health centers offer low-cost services based on income and family size.

To find your nearest health center, contact Call for Health at +1 800-377-9968 or through WhatsApp at +1 737-414-5121.

DHS Announces Countries Eligible for H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs A FEWA global alert reported that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), has announced the lists of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs in the next year. The release listing the eligible countries was published in the Federal Register on November 9, 2023. For the full release, go to the link that follows.

Federal Register: Identification of Foreign Countries Whose Nationals Are Eligible to Participate in the H-2A and H-2B Nonimmigrant Worker Programs Effective Nov. 9, 2023, the secretary of homeland security, with the concurrence of the secretary of state, has decided to add Bolivia to the list of countries eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B programs.

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UK Turfgrass Prices Expected to Rise in 2024 According to a press release received December 8 from the Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA) 2024 turfgrass prices are expected to increase in the UK. TGA has noted a concerning trend following a year of unpredictable and extreme weather conditions across the UK in 2023. Members of the association have reported that the changeable weather, combined with other factors, is likely to lead to an increase in turfgrass prices in 2024.

The past year saw a spectrum of climatic challenges, from prolonged summer droughts to heavy rainfall in autumn and winter. These conditions, exacerbated by stringent chemical legislation, have led to increased disease vulnerability and impacted turfgrass harvest yields.

The Met Office has highlighted the visible effects of climate change globally, including risks to water supplies, localized flooding, altered seasonality, heat stress, and the expanding habitat range of pests – all of which are concerns for the turfgrass industry. Predictions of warmer, wetter winters; hotter, drier summers; and more frequent intense weather events add further pressure to turfgrass cultivation.

Richard Owens, Chair of the TGA, stated, "Our members are finding 2023 to be a particularly challenging year for turfgrass production. This trend is expected to continue, necessitating an industry-wide adjustment in turfgrass pricing to offset the increasing costs of production."

In addition to weather challenges, other factors contributing to the anticipated price increase include the rising cost of fertilizers and fuel, supply chain disruptions, and the need for more sustainable growing practices. The TGA is committed to supporting its members through these challenges, advocating for industry needs, and promoting best practices in sustainable turfgrass production.

Project EverGreen Debuts Clean Air Calculator Project EverGreen debuted its Clean Air Calculator at the 2023 ELEVATE Conference in Dallas. The calculator will measure the environmental benefits of green spaces, and provide a gamechanging tool for green industry service professionals to quantify and promote their work. Healthy, managed green spaces in turn contribute to the overall health of communities and individuals.

The Clean Air Calculator measures the amount of grass, trees and shrubs on a property, calculates the amount of carbon sequestered and produces an environmental impact score measuring carbon sequestered, miles offset, and total people benefitted.

The Clean Air Calculator is a tool, but it's also an engaging way to share the benefits of grass and plants.

Contact Cindy Code, cindycode@projectevergreen.com to learn more. Learn more about the Clean Air Calculator at the link that follows: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV846FB9wFc

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

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TURFGRASS INDUSTRY NEWS California City Bans Artificial Turf An MSN report stated: “City officials outlaw common landscaping tactic once touted as the solution to drought: ‘It’s a ticking time bomb’.”

According to the Millbrae, CA, website the City Council has unanimously passed a ban on further use of synthetic turf landscaping within the city. The notice states: “In light of concerns from the effects of unregulated synthetic grass and artificial turf landscaping, a temporary moratorium was put into effect on October 26, 2021, prohibiting all new synthetic turf installations until a new ordinance could be drafted. The City Council followed up on the moratorium by adopting a new ordinance on October 24, 2023, prohibiting the installation of synthetic grass and artificial turf.

The ordinance amends Title 8, Public Works, Chapter 8.65, Synthetic Grass and Artificial Turf, of the Millbrae Municipal Code, prohibiting the installation of all synthetic grass and artificial turf effective January 1, 2024. The ordinance contains provisions to phase-out existing synthetic grass and artificial turf landscaping installed prior to the moratorium taking effect. Residents with existing synthetic grass and artificial turf landscaping will be required to remove and replace their existing synthetic material with natural landscaping once the installations begin to show visible signs of wear and degradation or if their existing installations are unable to accommodate the permeability of storm water during rain events. Wear and degradation includes identifiable holes, tears, stains, discoloration, seam separations, lifted surfaces, loose or separated nap and netting, buckling, heat degradation, and excessive wear. Areas adjacent to existing synthetic installations must be kept clean and free of plastic blades, netting and crumb rubber at all times.

Additional information can be found at: https://www.ci.millbrae. ca.us/Prohibition-of-Artificial-Turf.

USDA Releases Updated Plant Hardiness Map As reported in an Irrigation & Lighting email November 21: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Washington, DC, released an updated version of its plant hardiness zone map.

The map was developed in conjunction with Oregon State University’s Prism Climate Group and the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. The previous iteration of the map was released in January 2012. Notably, the new plant hardiness map incorporates data from 13,412 weather stations, compared to the 7,983 that were used for the 2012 map.

“The addition of many new stations and more sophisticated mapping techniques using the latest Prism technology led to a more accurate and detailed Plant Hardiness Zone Map but also produced localized changes that are not climate-related,” says Christopher Daly, director of the Prism Climate Group and the map’s lead author.

The map is divided into 13 zones, each zone representing a 10-degree Fahrenheit range of temperatures. Each zone is further divided into two half zones, with each of those representing a 5-degree range.

“Overall, the 2023 map is about 2.5 degrees warmer than the 2012 map across the conterminous United States,” says Daly.

“This translated into about half of the country shifting to a warmer 5-degree half zone, and half remaining in the same half zone. The central plains and Midwest generally warmed the most, with the southwestern U.S. warming very little.”

The map can be found at https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

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UN Climate Report Warns Earth on Track to Surpass Critical Threshold A United Nations report of November 20, 2023, warns Earth is on track to surpass a critical global warming threshold within the next decade. Global average temperatures are predicted to warm by nearly 3 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels of roughly 13.5 degrees Celsius by 2030, exceeding the 1.5 degrees Celsius increase targeted in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.

The annual report finds global greenhouse gas emissions need to fall by 42 percent to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030; otherwise, Earth's average temperature is expected to rise between 2.5 degrees Celsius and 2.9 degrees Celsius. China and the US are the top two emitters of greenhouse gases.

The findings come amid record-setting global temperatures, with preliminary data suggesting Earth's global average surface temperature during the week of November 13-19, 2023, briefly passed 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. The report came ahead of an annual UN climate change summit, known as COP28, when diplomats from nearly 200 countries gathered in Dubai.

NFL Announces HealthTECH Challenge I An email from the Sports Field Management Association (SFMA) on November 21 provided the following.

The NFL announced the HealthTECH Challenge I, a crowdsourced challenge to accelerate innovations that can help make playing surfaces more consistent and safer for players.

Held in partnership with Football Research, Inc. (FRI) and Duke Biomedical Engineering (Duke BME), the Challenge invites submissions that address several possible elements of natural and synthetic playing surface safety. These include: New or improved field maintenance techniques; Equipment that reduces variability across the surface and/or over time; Methodologies to prolong the viability of natural grass surfaces in NFL stadiums; Topical treatments for synthetic surfaces that improve traction for players; Equipment to protect playing surfaces during non-sporting events; Field usage monitoring technologies.

HealthTECH Challenge I will provide up to $100,000 to entrants with ideas that further improve the safety and consistency of playing surfaces. The individuals or groups who submit projects that are selected for funding will have the opportunity to work with an expert support team to further develop their concept and plan for creating a finished product.

In addition to companies that currently specialize in playing surfaces, the Challenge is open to submissions from companies and new ventures from outside the surface industry, including representatives of academic institutions, design houses and other entities that specialize in engineering, advanced manufacturing, and material science. The full request for applications is available for review at the link that follows. nbwg0rudjmlldd1o7kpd.pdf (nfl.com). Application deadline is February 20, 2024.

Additional details of the program can be found at: https://static.www.nfl.com/image/upload/v1700152827/league/ g jxlt7erhdyh00yflnatb.pdf (nfl.com)

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

VISIT US AT THE TPI CONVENTION & FIELD DAY • FEB. 4-8, 2024 • ORLANDO, FL

The latest version of the ultimate, one-man turf harvesting machine.

4-way camera screen Improved power rollup Updated, user-friendly controls with onboard diagnostics

The new TSS Slab takes production and reliability to new levels.

New upgrades, including hardware and software updates, for 2024.

The new TSR Roll offers our latest technology to boost your efficiency.

This machine features a newly improved rollup system for 2024.

To boost your bottom line, contact Trebro today!

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

65

U.S. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE THREE MONTH CLIMATE PREDICTIONS

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TPI Turf News January/February 2024

®

Like This, But in a Bermudagrass Wear Tolerance to Heal Fast from Divots & Foot Traffic

Lower Water Usage Real Drought Resistance

Exceptional Cold Hardiness for the Northern Transition Zone

Early Spring Green-Up Faster Than Other Bermudas

Pro-Level Density for Golf Courses & Sports Fields

Adaptable to Varied Soils & Climates Shade Tolerance Improved Over Other Bermudas

Limited Licensing Opportunities Available!

Visit our booth in Orlando to learn more.

Sod Production Services 18161 Sandy Point Road, Charles City, VA 23030 757-788-4444 | Tahoma31.com

@Tahoma31 @Tahoma31Bermuda @Tahoma31Bermuda

Tahoma31 Bermudagrass was developed by the turfgrass experts at Oklahoma State University

WEATHER WATCH

The Seasonal Precipitation Map above is an example of the resources available from Copernicus. This map shows the estimated deviation (anomaly) of precipitation for three months (February, March, and April) from the model climate in millimeters.

Copernicus is the European Union's Earth observation program, looking at our planet and its environment to benefit all European citizens. Vast amounts of global data from satellites and ground-based, airborne, and seaborne measurement systems provide information to help service providers, public authorities, and other international organizations improve European citizens' quality of life and beyond. In addition, the data generated becomes a useful tool for weather-sensitive industries, such as turfgrass sod production. The information services provided are free and openly accessible to users.

To access the information, go to the link that follows. https://climate.copernicus.eu/charts/packages/c3s_seasonal/products/ c3s_seasonal_spatial_mm_rain_3m

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TPI Turf News January/February 2024

TURF MARKETPLACE

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x >Žǁ KƉĞƌĂƟŶŐ ŽƐƚ x Single Axle Truck Use x dƌƵĐŬ Θ &ŽƌŬůŝŌ WĂĐŬĂŐĞƐ 2IILFH 0RELLOH (P PDLO MLP#VVHTXLS QHWW :HEVLWH VVHTXLS QH HW

Visit www.TurfgrassSod.org

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

69

CLASSIFIED ADS

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

/RRNLQJ WR ¿OO D SRVLWLRQ" FOR SALE: WMI 30" sod harvester, comes with 2 baskets of tubes and 10 rolls of netting. Asking $5,500.

Please contact Steve VanMeter at svanmeter4993@gmail. com or 772-285-1871.

FOR SALE: 2011 Brouwer RoboMax JD Automatic Sod Harvester; 4668 machine hours. Mounted on 2010 JD tractor 5856 hours; Harvester & tractor is field ready, 24” cutting width, maintained weekly and stored inside during winter, tires 50%. Large parts inventory itemized and included. Reason for selling: upgraded to a newer machine. Features: Compact, Maneuverable Automatic Stacking Roll Harvester 24” Cutting Width, Robotic Stacking System, Automatic Pallet Injector, 24 x 24 Auto Quad Plus Transmission, Standard 4WD, Electronic Auto-Steer. 48” x 48” (1.2 m x 1.2 m) pallet, climate controlled deluxe cab, simple field adjustments, Multiple stacking patterns, Squeeze function on upper layers, Excellent visibility. Adjustable hydraulic cutter head down pressure, Full operation lighting, Proven automatic flap control, Variable hydraulic cut-off, Operation and diagnostic screen, Rear Gate Asking Price: $118,900 USD OBO; Hands on Training available through Brouwer dealership For more info contact Mark Henson at 229-314-1260.

FOR SALE: STEC MZ18X Tiller, slightly used. Heavy duty 13' and 4" working width. 1000pto, 225hp minimum. Asking $38,000.

Please contact 913-254-9560 for more information.

FOR SALE: Used Bar netter for installing field net. Uses 17' - 20' rolls. Asking $7,200.

Call us today for more information at 913-254-9560.

SOLD

FOR SALE: 2007 First Products 12' Agrivator with rear roller. This unit was on a small farm and has only done approx. 100 acres.

Asking $12,500.

Give us a call today at 913-254-9560 for more information.

FOR SALE: Wesex, model # RMX500 Proline, in good condition, like new. Spare parts on hand. Asking $30,000.

Please contact 843-358-1141 or 843-455-6528.

FOR SALE: The D45.2 TurfMate features ergonomic, precise hydraulically-actuated joystick controls with our high speed "zero turn" drive system. Operators will appreciate the remotely lockable, rear-mounted swivel dolly wheels that allow the machine to float across turf - even in zero turn operation.

Maintenance access has been greatly improved and a smart, color LCD display panel keeps operators well informed during operation, while providing self-diagnostic ability. The D45.2 TurfMate is powerful, yet light enough to be mounted onto a truck or trailer, quickly dismount at the job site and be ready to work in less than a minute. With a 4,500 lb. lift capacity, a powerful Tier4 Final compliant engine and zero-turn capability, the D45.2 TurfMate can streamline your delivery operation. Price starting at $61,975; Many in Stock at DW Lift Sales in Columbus, Ohio Please contact a.wilson@dwliftsales.com.

FOR SALE: '07 Ford F-750 flatbed truck for sale. Only 98,000 miles. CAT C7 turbo diesel, no DEF. Allison 5 speed automatic.

Air brakes and trailer hookup. Pintle hitch receiver included.

33k GVWR. Bed is 15'6". Drive tires all new within the last 2 years. Steer tires in great shape. Brand new batteries. All lights and functions work. Runs and drives excellent. Also have a hitchhiker if interested to go with the truck for a bit extra. Asking $25,000.

Please contact Blake Anderson at andersonsodfarm@gmail. com or 920-277-4126.

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HELP WANTED: Sod Farm, Golf or other farming experience required.

Farm Manager needed at NG Turf 900-acre Farm in Perry, GA. Salary. Sod Farm, Golf or other farming experience required.

Help with daily operation of sod production, turf maintenance, irrigation, fertilizer & pesticide applications as well as management of people.

Job Type: Full-time; Salary: $80,000.00 to $120,000.00 /year; Benefits: 401(k), 401(k) matching, Dental insurance, Health insurance, Health savings account; Vision insurance.

Please email your resume to heather@ngturf.com.

FOR SALE: Case 586C rough terrain forklift. Bought new in '79.

Engine just rebuilt by our Case dealer. New hydraulic pump, shuttle, and radiator as well. Good tires. Needs nothing. Ready to work for another 40 years and gets used all the time, but I have 2 more forklifts and just don't need it anymore. Asking $23,000 OBO. Please contact Blake at andersonsodfarm@gmail.com.

FOR SALE: 2007 Trebro Autostack; S/N AS212, 4,453 hours, John Deere Engine (no DEF) Dual Auto Steer, Has heat and A/C, A backup camera and pallet camera added; Accumulator mirrors added, One Piece Belt, 54×3199-26NHS flotation tires; No cracks in any windows. This machine was stored inside during the winters. Was greased every week and serviced every 200 hours.

Good condition. This machine is ready to use. Asking $135,000 Contact: 463-214-7089, or email LWilson@genesisfarms.com.

FOR SALE: Trebro Autostack 1. Engine recently overhauled and most major components updated. Many spare parts including equipment for sale. Asking $85,000.

Visit my website: hanoversod.com.

FOR SALE: 2017 Trebro AS II, with 2300 hrs. Kept in shed and has new conveyor belt. Located in central Illinois. Asking $282,000.

Please contact Mike Wagner at 309-275-2421.

FOR SALE: Set of Goodyear High Flotation Tires, 4 tires & rims.

Bought new from McCord Tire for a 6410 JD Tractor, only on for one season and then removed when tractor was sold. Front tires are 48 x 31.00-20 12 ply, and back tires are 66 x 43.00-25 10 ply.

Rims are set up to take axel rims inserts. Asking $7,800.

Please contact Robert Fischer at 513-617-3623 or email turpinfarms@gmail.com.

FOR SALE: Two Brouwer A3A Harvesters on 3910 Ford tractors.

Good running condition and lots of spare parts. Reason for selling - bought a used Trebro harvester. Asking $6,000 U.S. for each or $11,000 U.S. for both.

Please call Macky at 604-830-1634.

FOR SALE: 2014 Massey Ferguson 4609 cabbed tractor with 4065.5 hours. 90 HP, 4WD, Heat, AC, Stereo. Currently has turf tires with duals on the rear. Ag tires are available if preferred (single, not duals). We pulled a 22' mower with it most of the time. We are selling it because we got a newer John Deere.

Located in Western Montana. Asking $29,000.00 Please call 406-961-1184 if interested.

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

AD INDEX FOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY TURF NEWS MAGAZINE Advanced Equipment Sales ……....…...…...….........….… 53, 69

R&R Products, Inc. ……………...........….…………....…...…… 21

Brouwer Kesmac ……………...................................................51

Sod Production Services. ....…..........................…......…...…… 67

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

Sod Solutions ® ……...….....................................................…… 57

Jonathan Green & Sons, Inc. …....…….....................….......…… 41

Southern Specialty Equipment, Inc. …….......…......….....…… 69

KWMI …………..........................……..….............……… 11, 69

Summit Seed-Profile Products ……...........................…...…… 55

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

TAMANET (USA) …………..........…..……..…..…..……..……. 37

Magnum .....................................… Inside Front Cover, 44-45

The Lawn Institute ……..............................…….....…….…… 69

Mountain View Seeds ...........…......……...…… Inside Back Cover

Trebro Manufacturing, Inc. ……….................................…. 65

MVP Genetics ...........................................................……… 63

Turfgrass Producers International ……...............…... 22-23, 33, 69

Progressive Turf Equipment, Inc. ...........…..…..…...……...…… 5

Van Vuuren Machines ……......................................................…3

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.

WELCOME NEW & RETURNING MEMBERS Matt Campbell Arborjet|Ecologel 6225 Oak Valley Ct. Cumming, GA 30040 785-256-1216 mcampbell@arborjet.com

Steve Mink Mink Turf Farms, LLC 6458 KY-146 Crestwood, KY 40014 502-241-9796 Steve.mink@minkturffarms.com

Andrew Holloway Quantico Creek Sod Farms PO Box 508 Hebron, MD 21830 442-614-0720 andy@qcsod.com

William Creech Dig Plant Co. 911 McMillan Road Greeleyville, SC 29056 803-795-7550 wcreech@digplantco.com

TPI Turf News January/February 2024

Heath Grammer Conwed 760 29th Ave., SE Minneapolis, MN 55414 918-370-4033 Heath.grammer@mativ.com

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TURFGRASS INDUSTRY CALENDAR Editor’s note: The following information was up to date as of December 7, 2023. Please check the websites listed for the most current information as you do your planning.

2024 JANUARY January 15-16 Turfgrass Producers of Texas Winter Conference College Station, TX https://texasgrass.com/

January 17 NC Sod Producers Winter Conference Greensboro, NC https://ncsod.org/

January 22-25 Sports Field Management Association Conference Daytona Beach, FL https://www.sportsfieldmanagement.org/conference/

January 29-February 1 Golf Industry Show Phoenix, AZ https://gcsaaconference.com

APRIL April 18-19 TPF Growing Better 2024 Parrish, FL https://floridaturf.com/2024-growing-better/ MAY May 20-23 Turf Australia Conference Darwin, Australia 2024 Conference Website coming soon JUNE June 15-19 American Seed Trade Conference Nashville, TN https://www.betterseed.org/events/asta-events/ JULY July 14-16 Texas Turfgrass Association Summer Conference Round Rock, TX https://texasturf.com/index.php/2024-summer-save-the-date/

FEBRUARY February 4-8 TPI International Education Conference & Field Day Orlando, FL https://www.TurfgrassSod.org/events/

February 21-22 Ontario Turfgrass Symposium Ontario, Canada https://opened.uoguelph.ca/Ontario-Turfgrass-Symposium

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.

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TPI Turf News January/February 2024