2025 January February Turf News

Meet Your 2025 President

Preview San Antonio 2025 TPI International Conference

TPI Launches New Membership Portal

TPI Tours Italy, including Sod Farms ... And Much More

Meet Your 2025 President M 2

Cover:

Daniel and Jamie Huggett

Photo courtesy Daniel Huggett

TURF NEWS

Vol. 49 No. 1 January/February 2025

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

Allie Roed

ARoed@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

IN THIS ISSUE

FEATURE ARTICLES

FOCUS: Marketing Tips & Techniques

10 TPI Launches New Membership Portal to Coincide With New TPI Membership Model

Read how to maximize the benefits of the new TPI membership model and TPI Membership Portal.

16 Geri Hannah is Moving to Australia

Geri Hannah, that friendly voice you’ve heard for years when you call TPI, is moving to Australia with her husband Rodney to be closer to their family. Grandkids are a tremendous incentive for change.

18 TPI President Daniel Huggett—Always Looking Forward

Learn how your 2025 TPI President established and grew his business, discover why he credits TPI for many of his key business decisions, and why he sees a bright future for the association.

28 A Journey Through Italy—The Turfgrass Producers International Study Tour

Join your fellow TPI members in words and pictures to view what you missed last October.

34 Cultivating Global Connections—Future Turfgrass Leaders Tour Italy

TPI’s Future Leaders Fellowship cohort members provide their perceptions of the Italy Study Tour.

38 Where Turfgrass Experts and Enthusiasts Unite: 2025 TPI International Education Conference & Field Day

Review the many reasons you can’t afford to miss TPI’s Conference & Field Day in San Antonio.

46 Natural Grass Sod Checkoff Voting Opens in January

Read all the details to make sure your company’s vote counts in this important national initiative to increase research and expand the market for natural grass sod.

49 Top Backyarding Trends for 2025

Read how Top Trends identified by the TurfMutt Foundation highlight the benefits of natural grass.

50 Sod Coolers

Get the latest on using sod coolers to extend the shelf life of your product.

54 Rooted in Research—The Turfgrass Contributions of Dr. Rick Brandenburg —Billbug Egg-Larval Survivor Behaviors

Dr. Cale Bigelow points out Dr. Brandenburg’s contributions to the turfgrass industry and highlights his work on a specific pest, the billbug.

56 Forecast 2025 – A Welcome Economic Rebound

Phillip M. Perry is back with his summary of forecasts for 2025.

62 Focus Article – Upgrade Your Marketing Strategy for the New Year

The new year is an excellent time to review your marketing plans and capitalize on new tools.

DEPARTMENTS

Come Out, See, Listen, and Learn!

PRESIDENT’S TURF 2025

TPI Board of Trustees

Officers

I’m honored to serve as President of TPI and thank you for trusting me with this opportunity and responsibility. Be assured that the Executive Committee, Board of Trustees, and staff are united in the common goal of achieving the best results for the membership, association, and natural grass industry.

SOD CHECKOFF! Voting begins on January 13. A yes vote will give our industry the resources we need to conduct targeted research, help impact national and regional regulatory and legislative issues, and develop powerful educational resources on the benefits of natural grass. This program can give us the tools to tell our story with a united voice and grow the market for turfgrass sod. Please join me in supporting it.

What else do you want from your association? What can we do to serve you better? We want to hear from you. The phone numbers and email addresses of each member of the TPI Board of Trustees are listed on this page to make it easier for you to contact us.

Even better, get out and see us at the 2025 TPI International Education Conference & Field Day in San Antonio. Everything is bigger in Texas! This Conference will be packed with opportunities to listen and learn, watch and question, network and enjoy.

I, and all the other board members, will be there to greet you during all the Conference events. If you have not connected with any of us before, please do it during the Conference. We want to meet you!

The participants in the TPI Future Leaders Fellowship program will be running the shuttles during the Field Day at Bladerunner Farm. Take this opportunity to connect with them, too. I had the privilege of meeting many of these young people during the TPI Study Tour to Italy last October. The networking across the generations during that trip was eye-opening, enjoyable, and raised my expectations for the future of the natural grass industry. That intergenerational communication is another TPI member benefit.

My best business ideas and money-saving strategies have come from participation in TPI Conferences and Field Days. Connecting with other sod producers during all the networking opportunities TPI Conferences provide not only helped me develop business relationships I can tap into to seek advice on a problem but also to build friendships that have lasted for decades.

TPI Conferences more than pay for the cost of attending. If you have never attended a TPI Conference before, make this the year you take that important step to get out and see how you can save money and sell more sod. I promise you that you’ll take home ideas you can put to work in your business, make new networking connections, and have an amazing time.

Peace be with you,

Daniel Huggett

President Daniel Huggett Columbus Turf Nursery – U.S.A. +1-740-983-6580 danielh@columbus-turf.com

Vice President

Larry LeMay A-G Sod Farms, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-559-289-2302 llemay@agsod.com

Secretary-Treasurer

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

Past President

Diane Mischel

DeBuck’s Sod Farm, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-810-653-2201 office@debucksodfarm.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

Sarah Nolte Blue Grass Enterprises, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-391-842-2165 sarah@bgsod.com

Adam Russell MVP Genetics – U.S.A. +1-971-718-4525 arussell@mvpgenetics.com

Justin Thomas Prime Sod – U.S.A. +1-817-565-9960 justin@primesod.com

Kurt Vanclief Willowlee Sod Farms, Limited – Canada +1-613-966-0338 kurt@willowleesod.com

Eric Webb Raft River Sod – U.S.A. +1-208-878-5740 eric@raftriversod.com

Daniel Huggett

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S TURF

Happy New Year

Well, it’s official, 2025 is upon us! Often this time of year I find myself thinking through all of the things that occurred in 2024 with family, work, and life in general. Like many of us, it’s a good time of year to try to pause and think about all of the things I’ve been blessed with and am thankful for during the holidays. I also look back on the previous year and think about all the things we accomplished in 2024 and how fast it all flew by.

In addition to the usual TPI initiatives like conferences, Turf News, advocacy, TLI, and so on, we completed a new strategic plan, finalized our membership consultant work, updated our membership model, and built and launched a new membership database to incorporate it all. If you haven’t logged into our new membership database to see what it has to offer, please check out the article on pages 10-13 of this issue to see it first-hand. We’d love for all of our members to make the most of this new resource!

All of these initiatives, and others, are within TPI’s Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Goals as stated in our new strategic plan that we will unveil at TPI 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, and then post publicly on our website. As we go through 2025 and beyond, we hope you see that they are reflected in the new resources we’ve created and will continue to roll out to members.

Switching gears now to a few items a little more near-term. The TPI 2025 International Education Conference & Field Day is right around the corner. Please consider joining us in San Antonio, TX, from February 9-13 for education, field day, lots of TLI fun, eight hot meals, and a private concert by Tracy Byrd! We really do hope to see you there.

Casey Reynolds, PhD

Also, happening in early 2025 is the long-awaited referendum on the proposed U.S. Sod Checkoff Program. You can read more about that starting on page 46 of this issue as well as get detailed instructions on how to vote. If we ever want to fund research and promotion of natural grass on a large scale, this is certainly our opportunity to do it.

Finally, this is usually the part of my January/February Turf News Director’s Turf message where I thank our current board for their service and welcome the new board members to the team. While this year is no different, I also really want to say a special thank you to Geri Hannah for her many years of service to TPI. Geri is the smiling face and happy voice that TPI members have seen and heard for 14 years now. The upcoming TPI 2025 conference in February will be her last event with us as she retires and moves to Australia to spend more time with her family. Please take a few minutes to read more about her journey on pages 16-17, and if you’re in Texas please be sure to visit with her before she retires.

For me personally, Geri has been the steady and reliable presence at TPI that I have always been able to count on. I’ve grown to know her personally and will miss her greatly. Geri, thanks for all you do! I think it is safe to say that the TPI staff, Board of Trustees, and members wish you all the best in this next, well-deserved chapter of life!

Cheers,

I thank our current board for their service and welcome the new board members to the team!

TPI NEWS WHAT TO KNOW

U.S. SOD CHECKOFF PROGRAM UPDATE

The U.S. Sod Checkoff program Referendum Period is open from January 13 to February 11, 2025. Any U.S. sod producer who grew natural grass in 2024 is eligible to vote on this proposed program. Ballots have been mailed to all known sod producers, and anyone who does not receive a ballot can request one by emailing Maribel.Reyna@usda.gov. Ballots must be received before 5 pm on February 11, 2025. See pages 46-48 of this issue or contact the TPI office at 800-405-8873 for more information. You can also go to this link: https://turfgrasssod.org/natural-grass-sod-checkoff-voting-opens-in-january/

TPI LAUNCHES NEW MEMBERSHIP PORTAL

Check out TPI’s new membership database by logging in to your account on the TPI website. See pages 1013 of this issue for more information on how to make the most out of your TPI membership using our new membership portal!

TPI CONTINUES WORK WITH USDA TO HELP DEVELOP CROP INSURANCE

TPI is continuing its work with the USDA-Risk Management Agency to develop specialty crop insurance for sod producers. USDA and TPI staff visited sod farms in Missouri, North Carolina, and Texas to assist in that collaboration. If you have any questions or interest in this initiative, please contact Casey Reynolds CReynolds@TurfgrassSod.org or 847-737-1846 to learn more.

2025 TPI MEDIA KIT AVAIALABLE

The 2025 TPI Media Kit is now available. Please contact Allie Roed at 847-649-5555 or ARoed@Turfgrasssod.org. The full media kit can also be found at the following link: https://issuu.com/ tpiturfnews/docs/tpi_media_kit_2025_1_?fr=sOTRlYjYzODY0MDg

GRASS BANS ABOUND

TPI is working with members in Utah and Colorado on three new grass bans that would limit grass on public property and incentivize homebuilders to NOT use grass in newly constructed homes. We will report more on this in an upcoming issue of Turf News. If you hear of potential grass bans in your area, please notify Dr. Casey Reynolds at CReynolds@TurfgrassSod.org or 847-737-1846.

CHECK OUT THE TPI EXCHANGE PROGRAM

The TPI Exchange Program aims to provide an opportunity for fast-paced, immersive shadow training for current TPI member farm employees. Host farms will showcase innovative practices to the Participants. The Participants will learn while observing high-performing employees at each Host Farm. Learn more information on the program at the following link - https://TurfgrassSod.org/tpi-exchange-program/

FOLLOW TPI AND TLI ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Editor's Note: X was formerly known as Twitter Turfgrass Producers International

X: @TPITurfTalk Facebook: @TurfgrassProducersInternational

TPI NEWS

WHAT TO KNOW

NEW TPI PUBLICATION IS IN THE WORKS

TPI is creating a new publication on Best Management Practices for Land Leases in Sod Production If you have any interest or experience in leasing land for sod production, please contact Dr. Casey Reynolds CReynolds@TurfgrassSod.org or 847-737-1846 to learn more. We are seeking 5-6 TPI members to work with our TPI staff and attorney to create this new publication for members.

NOT TOO LATE TO PROVIDE INPUT ON ANOTHER TPI PUBLICATION

TPI is re-writing the 2006 TPI publication Guideline Specifications for Turfgrass Sodding and is seeking member 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 847-737-1846. And, if you have any suggestions or ideas for new TPI publications, please contact Casey to discuss new ideas for TPI Members Only benefits.

EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR TPI MEMBERS

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

TPI WORKING WITH EPA ON STRATEGIC PLAN

TPI is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the proposed 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan to make sure that sod farmers are included in important initiatives. If you have any thoughts or would like to provide input on this important initiative, contact Dr. Casey Reynolds at CReynolds@TurfgrassSod.org or 847-737-1846.

TPI WORKING WITH EPA ON PROPOSED PESTICIDE CHANGES

TPI is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on proposed changes to the herbicide Atrazine and other pesticides. Please contact Dr. Casey Reynolds at CReynolds@TurfgrassSod.org or 847-737-1846 if you have questions.

WHAT TO KNOW SAVE THE DATE

FEBRUARY 9-13-2025—SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Plan now for another great opportunity for an outstanding get-together with fellow TPI members from all over the world who will be at the 2025 TPI International Education Conference & Field Day in San Antonio, Texas. Please see the preview article beginning on page 38. Mark your calendars and register now. More details are available on the TPI website, https:// TurfgrassSod.org/.

The Lawn Institute sincerely thanks ALL members that donated to The Foundation in 2024. In recognition of the Forever Green, Platinum Patron, Gold Benefactor, Green Partner, and 500 Club members, the lists below recognize those who donated as of 12/1/2024.

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

Buena Vista Turf Farm—Mike Selman Donkey Forklifts—John Bolton E-Cargo Tarps Inc.—Kendrick Martin Tri-Turf Sod Farms, Inc.—Jason Pooler

Bethel Farms—Will Nugent

Brouwer Kesmac—Eric Brouwer

Columbus Turf Nursery — Farm HG—Katie Bishop Mountain View Seeds—Duane Klundt

/over $10,000

TAMANET (USA)—Angel Lopez

Tater Farms, LLC—Eric Hjort

The Turfgrass Group—Bill Carraway Valley Irrigation—Andy Carritt

A & W Southern Sod Farm—William Head

BioGrass Sod Farms, Inc.—Warren Bell

Columbia River Seed—Ryan Jeffries

Coombs Sod Farms, LLC—John Coombs

Emerald View Turf Farms—Eddie Keeven Greenhorizons Group of Farms—Ron Schiedel Heartland Turf Farms—Thomas Keeven, Jr.

Heritage Turf, Inc.—Ron Nixon

Jasperson Sod, Inc.—Randy Jasperson

K’ntucky Turf—Peter Anderson Kurtz Turf Farm—Daniel Kurtz McCurdy Sod Farms—Bob McCurdy Milberger Turfgrass, LLC—Arthur Milberger NG Turf—Aaron McWhorter

Poinsett Turfgrass Company—Michael Morgan

Prime Sod—Ryan Thomas Sales Midwest, Inc.—Tim Wollesen

Saratoga Sod Farm, Inc.—Steve Griffen

Southern Specialty Equipment, Inc.

Summit Seeds/Profile Products —Jim Brewster —Ron Edwards

Turf Merchants, Inc. (TMI) —Nancy Aerni

Turf North America Farms —in honor of Brian Bouchard

Turf Producers Association—Jenny Carritt

Zander Sod Co. Limited—Claus Zander

Bentley Turf Farms—Dennis Brigham

Blue Grass Enterprises, Inc.—Michael Loan

Cameron Financial, Inc.—Darryl Yochem

Central Sod Farms of Maryland, Inc.—Tom Warpinski

Central Sod Farms, Inc.—Ken Warpinski

Central Turf Farms, Inc.—Keith Wittig

Coosa Valley Turf Farms, LLC—Thomas Wolf

DeBuck’s Sod Farm, Inc.—Diane Mischel

DMG Turf, Inc.—Clay Gardner

Eagle Lake Turf Farm LTD—Eric Heuver

Evergreen Turf, Inc.—Jeff Nettleton

Graff Family —in honor of Brian Bouchard

GrassMasters Sod Farm—Joe Bammer

H & E Sod Nursery, Inc.—Darin Habenicht

Helt’s Turf Farms, LLC—Shawn Helt

Hope Plantation Turf—Mayfield McCraw

Huggett Sod Farm, Inc.—Leslie Parrent

JB Instant Lawn, Inc.—Mark Tribbett

Jonathan Green—Barry Green

LOVING —Graham Simmons

Laytonsville Turf Farm—Doug Lechlider

McPheeters Turf, Inc.—William McPheeters

Modern Turf, Inc.—Hank Kerfoot

Oregon Turf & Tree Farms—Tom DeArmond

Pine Island Turf Nursery, Inc.—Chip Lain

Quality Turf Inc.—Alfred Wooten

R & R Products—Tom Rogers

R. B. Farms, LLC—Robbie Brady

Reid Sod Farm—Randall Reid

SiteOne Landscape Supply—Matthew McCarroll

Sod Solutions—Tobey Wagner

Southland Sod Farms—Jurgen Gramckow

Sporting Valley Turf Farms, Inc.—Matt Wimer

Sumter Sod—Chip Block

Superior Turf & Landscape, Inc.—Thomas Burger

Thomas Turfgrass—Seth Thomas

Todd Valley Farms, Inc.—Kayla Radford

Trimax Mowing Systems—Jacob Cooper

Tri-Tex Grass—Mark Graf

Turf Mountain Sod—Linda Bradley

Tvetene Turf—Don Tvetene

Vandemark Sod Farms—Trevor Vandemark

Willowlee Sod Farms LTD—Kurt Vanclief

Winstead Turf Farms, Inc.—Bobby Winstead

Young’s Turf Farm—Daniel L. Young Join your peers in contributing

A-G Sod Farms, Inc. —John Addink

The Lawn Institute provides scientific, fact-based information on the value and management of lawns while funding academic research to advance the industry.

SCIENCE

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

EDUCATION

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

ENVIRONMENT

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

Scan the QR to visit e 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!

TPI LAUNCHES NEW MEMBERSHIP PORTAL TO COINCIDE WITH NEW TPI MEMBERSHIP MODEL

By Casey Reynolds, PhD

If you have attended a Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) annual business meeting in the last two years or so, you may recall that TPI hired a membership management consultant to review our current membership model and offerings. The final results of that report were discussed at the 2024 TPI Annual Business Meeting last February in Orlando, Florida.

One of the key highlights that came out of this process was our desire and need to engage more members in TPI activities, benefits, and publications. As an example of this, indulge me for a minute while I share a quick backstory. When I was hired as Executive Director in 2017, I remember looking for our TPI President’s phone number in our Membership Directory. Spoiler alert, it wasn’t in there… Why? Because someone else at their company was the primary rep, who of course was listed in the directory.

The current primary rep model that has served us well for over 50 years isn’t necessarily wrong, and in fact, many associations use a similar model for company-based memberships. However, just go to any TPI conference, and it’s not uncommon to see several members from an individual farm or supplier company. There are many long-time members of TPI who are not only deeply involved in their company but are passionate about TPI as well, and we want to make sure they are all fully represented in TPI benefits and publications.

Contrary to company-based memberships, some associations use an individual-based membership model where each person in a company has their own membership. So which model is the better fit for TPI? Both? Neither? Maybe a hybrid of the two? This is one of the many things that came out of the final report from our membership management consultant.

Ultimately, where we landed was to keep the company-based membership model that we’ve had since 1967, but to implement new tools and processes that make it easier for individuals at each company to be more involved in their TPI membership and to have more access to their TPI company profile and benefits.

As always, any employee at a TPI member company is by default considered a TPI member and will continue to receive member rates at conferences. However, instead of just the primary rep being our only point of contact, the new membership model and database allows each TPI member company to customize who is the primary rep, who receives emails, who is listed in the Membership Directory, who gets hard copies of Turf News, and so on. It also allows anyone in a TPI member company to update their entries to the Natural Grass Locator Tool or to supplier products and services.

If you haven’t logged into the new database yet, simply go to TPI’s website (https://TurfgrassSod.org) and click the “Member Login” button. Use the email address for your current primary rep and the temporary password test123. If you’re not the current primary rep at your company and/or if you have trouble logging in the first time, simply call our office and we can add you to the database from the back end, at which point you’ll immediately receive an email with instructions and a temporary password prompting you to log in. You can then set a new password by clicking your initials icon in the top right corner of your Company Profile page. This is also where you can update your company phone number, address, website, and “Member Since” year.

The idea of incorporating a “Member Since” function is a new way that we want to start recognizing 5, 10, 20, 30-year members, and so on. We’re particularly excited about this one as we know there are many second and third-generation members, and we’d like to start recognizing our members’ long-term support.

After updating your Company’s Profile, you can then add and edit any other employee members from the Member Profile page (see below). This is where you can assign hard copies of Turf News and who you want to be listed in the directory. You can assign roles such as Owner/Co-Owner, Sales Manager, Farm Manager, Retired, and so on. Of course, there is no obligation to do any of this and if keeping just the primary rep listed in your account is the way you want to keep it you can certainly do that here as well. If you want others in your company to receive electronic copies of Turf News, conference announcements, etc. then simply entering their name and email address will allow them to receive those communications.

If your membership comes with additional hard copies of Turf News, then this is where you can assign those to be shipped to different employees at different addresses. We recognize each TPI member company may want to handle this differently, and our new membership database allows you to customize your TPI member profile in any way you’d like.

The Company Location page (see above) is where producer members can enter which species and varieties of grass they grow so they can be linked to the online Natural Grass Locator Tool (see below). The Natural Grass Locator Tool is something we will begin marketing in 2025 as a way for landscapers, sports field managers, golf course superintendents, and others to find TPI member grasses all over the world. The Company Locations page is also where supplier members can list their products and services so they can be found by TPI members.

The new interactive system also makes it easier for you to tap into the many additional resources TPI offers you. To see the list of resources available to you online, please go to the Digital Resources page (see below).

When it comes down to it, the new TPI membership database is really all about increasing access and communication about TPI member benefits, events, and more. It is designed to be user-friendly and completely customizable by each TPI member company. As always, the TPI staff is here to help, so you can easily create and update your company profile by simply calling our office. Thanks as always for your support. We are here to serve you, and we hope you enjoy the new database!

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

THE LEADER IN BIG ROLLS

GERI HANNAH IS MOVING TO AUSTRALIA

Geri is the friendly voice that usually greets you when you call TPI Headquarters. Quick to smile, with an infectious laugh, Geri is the problem solver, the compassionate listener, the little whirlwind that helps put the fun in TLI Fundraisers, the wise counselor who reminds you to get moving because the conference hotel is filling up fast … and so much more!!

Geri and her husband Rodney are moving to Australia! Much as Geri loves TPI and its members, there is a family of five she loves even more. Geri and Rodney’s daughter Natasha (Tasha) and her husband Dean Croxon, live and work in Australia. Their three children are daughter Harper Hannah (age 4 ¾), and sons Connor Maxwell (nearly 3) and Emmett Fitzgerald (just turned 1).

Geri Hannah started with TPI in 2010, excited to begin a new venture. What attracted her then is still what she most enjoys now. “Every day is different,” she says. “There are so many different parts of what it takes to keep TPI rolling.”

She had heard of the open position from her brother-inlaw, Jim Novak, who was TPI’s Public Relations Manager at the time. Jim is married to Geri’s sister Kathy. “Jim told me someone was leaving TPI and encouraged me to put in my resume.” Geri started in the joint position of accountant/receptionist when TPI was headquartered in the building they had purchased at 2 East Main Street, East Dundee, Illinois. As the youngest of nine kids, Geri quickly learned that when you see something that needs to be done you just jump in and do it. That mindset is reflected in her evolving role at TPI and her dedication to doing the very best for every one of its members.

Geri and TPI Today

Fast forward almost 15 years to today, and Geri has long been a steadfast part of the TPI team. Given the small nature of TPI’s staff, everyone has to do a little bit of everything, and everyone gets to know each other really well. Geri’s co-workers Casey, Allie, Liz, and Mike are going to miss her tremendously and simply can’t say enough about how valuable she is to our TPI family.

“Almost every small business has that person that they just can’t imagine having to replace, for us at TPI that’s Geri,” says Casey. “Geri has been my rock here at TPI ever since I joined as Executive Director in 2017. It’s hard to imagine her not picking up the phone when I call, but at the same time, I’m so excited for her and Rodney to begin this next chapter of their lives with their family in Australia. I’m certainly going to miss her, but we’ve promised each other to stay in touch”

Allie Roed shares that “Geri Hannah is an incredible coworker who embodies kindness, humor, and unwavering dedication. Her hard work and passion for our mission shine through in everything she does, making her an invaluable part of TPI. She has been a source of inspiration and a phenomenal mentor, teaching me so much about the TPI family.”

Steve and Suz Trusty add, “Geri has been wonderful to work with, welcoming us to the TPI family from day one. She’s always available for a quick phone call and a word of encouragement. She has such a heart for the members and a knack for making everyone feel special. We will miss her greatly but know she and Rodney will love making those grandparent memories.”

Tasha and Dean on their wedding day in Italy.

Geri’s adorable grandkids (left to right) Harper, Emmett, and Connor.

Geri shares from her viewpoint that the entire TPI staff is all working together as a team with the common goal of serving our members. “Casey’s management style is an excellent fit for TPI. It’s exciting to work with someone who values my opinions and encourages me to express them. The camaraderie Casey and I have is so special, I think we bring out the best in each other.”

“Allie and I get along really well and she’s doing a great job of taking responsibility for some of the tasks I have been doing. I love working with Liz; she has that magic touch for making an event extraordinary while making the process both easy and fun. Mike Blair is a gem, excellent at coordinating the Field Days. I call him my work husband. Jenny Carritt is a wonderful woman who loves TPI and always goes the extra mile. I love her, love working with her, and call her my blood sister. I’m confident TPI is in good hands.”

Plans for Australia

Leaving her extended family in the U.S. will be hard. But Geri says, “I miss my daughter horribly and I’m so glad she wants me to be close to her. Rodney and I are so looking forward to being there and creating special moments with our grandkids.”

Of course, Geri attended everything her daughter Tasha ever did. “Except for a few movies—I couldn’t manage Barney,” she says. So whatever those grandkids are interested in she’ll be in the stands cheering them on.

They are flying to Australia on Air New Zealand on March 17. The costs of shipping furniture are exorbitant, so Rodney and Geri decided to just take the basics with them. If it won’t fit in the one suitcase they’ve allotted for each of them, it’s not going.

Tasha and her family live in Lilyfield, about a 10- to 15-minute drive from Sydney. In mid-November, Geri said, “Tasha is looking for an apartment for us in a suburb

and she’ll rent it for us before we arrive. We looked at a few places during my last visit and she has our “have to have it” list. We’ll stay in a hotel for three nights so we can buy the basics we’ll need before we can move in. It will be so wonderful being just a few minutes away instead of halfway around the world apart!”

Good-Byes are Hard

Geri says, “TPI is different than any other association or business. It’s a family of people, most of whom are part of family-owned businesses. I love the hearts of the members and the way they care about each other. I love the community that they have and how they reach out to help each other during floods, hurricanes, and family tragedies. I will miss talking to ‘my’ members. I feel that every member is my boss, and I enjoy doing everything in my power to help them. I love making them giggle on the phone. They have always been gracious and treated me with respect. I’ve enjoyed working with all the presidents and all the trustees, they have always been very kind. The TPI conferences are a blast, and even though they are exhausting, I absolutely love them. I love how they bring our members together, how old friends reconnect, and how welcoming they all are to first-time attendees.”

As Geri looked back on all the wonderful people she has met through TPI over the years, her voice became tinged with emotion. She said the number of “special people” was way too long to list. As much as she is looking forward to the 2025 TPI International Education Conference & Field Day in San Antonio, it’s going to be bittersweet. “I dread saying I’m never going to see you again. I’ve known this day was coming for so long, you’d think I wouldn’t be weepy about it, but I think I’m going to be a blubbering idiot. It’s been tough and challenging many times, but it’s been fun and encouraging, too. It’s the best job I’ve ever had, the best last stop before retirement I could have ever imagined.”

Photos courtesy of Geri Hannah.

(left to right) Geri’s sisters Kathy and Chris join Geri for this family photo taken at Tasha and Dean’s wedding.

TPI PRESIDENT DANIEL HUGGETT— ALWAYS LOOKING FORWARD

By Suz Trusty

Daniel Huggett is a keen observer with the analytical mind of a strategist. He prefers not to be a pioneer for new ideas. Instead, he watches new products, procedures, and technologies as they are introduced; watches the people who are early adopters; asks questions and listens to the answers with an open mind; and makes business decisions based on the information he’s gleaned. Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) is the most effective vehicle for gaining industry-related information and for building networking connections across the U.S. and around the world. He encourages all sod producers to join and get involved.

This is your 2025 TPI President. Daniel Huggett, a thirdgeneration sod farmer, owns and operates Columbus Turf Nursery in Ashville, Ohio. He’s a longtime TPI member who was elected to the TPI Board of Trustees during the Annual Meeting held in Charlotte, North Carolina, on February 19, 2019, and took office in January of 2020. After three years as a trustee, he served as TPI Secretary/ Treasurer in 2023 and as Vice President in 2024. His term as TPI President began on January 1, 2025. If you have attended a TPI Conference, you have likely interacted with Daniel and his wife, Jamie, as they excel in welcoming new members to the TPI family and helping them make networking connections.

Family History in Sod Production

The Huggett family farm grew peppermint and spearmint. Around 1955, they heard about sod as a crop from Dr. James B Beard then at Michigan State University. They tried growing bluegrass sod on five acres, and it did well, so they increased their production to 10 acres. Wallace

Huggett, Daniel’s Dad, had completed his college studies in pre-med and had been accepted into a medical school when he decided to go back to the farm. Daniel says, “Looking back now, it’s clear he did much better in farming, both financially and in quality of life, than he would have been able to do as a doctor.”

Wallace started Huggett Sod Farm with 249 acres in Mariette, Michigan, which he bought from his Dad, Dow. In 1961, Dow Daniel was born. (Daniel is named after his Grandfather, who was called Dow, so he is known to family and friends as Daniel.) His brother Mark was born in 1962. Like most farm families, the brothers helped, gradually assuming more responsibility with increased age and competence, working their way up from the field crew to production, sales, and truck driving.

Sod farming has its up-and-down cycles. Sod farming was good when the Huggetts started another revenue stream, harvesting grass clippings to turn into chicken food pellets to make the egg yolks dark yellow. They were shipping across much of the northeast. When the Middle East oil crisis brought the U.S. gas embargo in 1973, shipping costs escalated. So they switched much of their production to peppermint and spearmint but continued growing sod. Then the Detroit auto industry slump caused sod sales to drop.

In 1982, Wallace wanted to diversify his market, so he expanded his sod business with a second farm, Trinity Turf Nursery in Pilot Point, Texas. That farm originally grew tall fescue. It now grows Tifway 419, Tifway 419 Certified, Tifton 10, and Celebration Bermudagrasses, and three varieties of Zoysiagrass.

Daniel says, “Dad had 1,200 acres in production in Michigan, plus the new Texas farm when Mark and I went to college. I worked in sales for Trinity Turf during one of my college summer breaks.”

TPI 2025 President Daniel Huggett and his wife Jamie enjoy travel including trips in conjunction with TPI events.

Wallace Huggett added a second farm, Trinity Turf Nursery, to diversify his sod sales market.

Daniel’s Starting Path

A high-achieving high school student, Daniel took all the college prep courses and decided to pursue engineering at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, the highestranked engineering college in the country. He started in mechanical engineering, but following an internship with A. O. Smith that focused on submersible pumps for homeowners and businesses, he decided he liked digital engineering better. He switched to electrical engineering focusing on computer design and systems, even taking some graduatelevel classes, and graduated with a BSEE with honors.

That background earned him a position with International Business Machines (IBM) in Rochester, Minnesota. Daniel says, “I worked in Design Automation focusing on data and logistic automation. I wrote code to optimize design for IBM systems 34, 36, 38, and AS400.”

Jamie had earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northern Michigan University in Marquette. She was working as a Registered Nurse (RN) at Rochester Methodist Hospital. The hospital was part of the Mayo Clinic, also headquartered in Rochester.

A large proportion of IBM’s employees were men. Most of the Mayo Clinic’s nursing staff was female. Daniel says, “In the early 1980s there were no cell phones or dating apps. Young people met through participation in group activities. I belonged to the Cross-Country Ski Club and so did Jamie. That’s how we met.”

IBM and the Mayo Clinic organized group events such as bike tours, softball games, or roller-skating parties to bring young couples together, hoping they would marry and stay in Rochester. Jamie and Daniel joined in many of those events during the two-and-a-half years they dated. “We laughingly call it our Roller Romance,” Daniel says. “We married on Labor Day in 1987.”

Back to Sod Farming

After five years of working in a cubicle with 4,000 other engineers, Daniel decided the grass really was greener on the other side of the fence and he’d rather have the sod farming life. He and Jamie had discussed that plan before they married. Daniel says, “I told Dad I’d like to get back to the farm and asked if there was a place for me there. Being a good German Dad, he told me he had many projects at various stages and was not ready to retire, so it would be best for me to start my own farm.”

Daniel resigned from IBM to concentrate on finding a good farm to buy. Always a strategic thinker, he established key requirements for the potential location: close to a viable market with growth potential; good land with an adequate water source; and close to family but not so close that they would be competitors; and Jamie’s stipulation—not in the boondocks. Daniel says, “She wanted civilization and places to shop.”

Markets he considered for potential farms were Crystal Lake and Chicago, IL; Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, IN; Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, Ohio; Charlotte, NC; and the Delmarva Peninsula. “I took Jamie to visit the most promising farm locations in the chosen markets,” says Daniel. “We narrowed the search to Indianapolis and Columbus. The farm we chose was growing corn, beans, and wheat. The land was sandy clay loam and had a good water source. It was 10 miles south of Columbus on U.S. 23, a four-lane highway now traveled by 55,000 cars daily. I signed the contract for the 256acre farm in 1988, one year and two months after leaving IBM.”

On March 6, 1989, Daniel and Jamie took possession of the land, starting Columbus Turf Nursery. Daniel got 16 acres of custom-blended bluegrass planted that spring. “I felt that was a good start,” he says. “My focus then became learning my ground. We harvested that first crop in September of 1989. I seeded the remaining 240 acres to sod in the fall.”

Maneuvering the Early Challenges

Daniel says, “I was starting with the basic equipment from my Dad. I was undercapitalized and barely had seed money. But I had a goal to have the best product and do the best I could for my customers every day.” The economy had just experienced a period of farm foreclosures. Traditional farm lender banks saw a man in his mid-20s with no history of working in the state, no family around, and no experience in owning and operating a business. Daniel’s alternative was a bridge loan—a land loan from an insurance company in the form of a 10-year note, amortized over 30 years at 16 percent interest, with a 3 percent penalty for prepayment. Daniel says, “Jamie was working as a nurse. With those tough terms and our limited funds, we needed her paycheck to live on.”

The site Daniel and Jamie chose for Columbus Turf Nursery borders a four-lane highway now traveled by 55,000 cars daily.

Daniel started his sod farm operation using the basic equipment provided by his Dad.

With his previous experience in the family sod operations, Daniel was confident he could produce high-quality turfgrass. And, being a Michigan boy, he harvested sod in a 24-inch roll which was easier to install and had fewer seams than the 16- or 18-inch rolls of his competitors. In 1990, Daniel began renting 360 acres across the southern boundary of the property he had purchased. He could water it from his existing water source by running pipe across the fence line.

“We were making progress financially and felt stable enough to start our family,” says Daniel. Sara was born in 1992 and Wallace in 1995.”

At the end of 10 years, in 1999, Daniel had made every payment on that initial loan, but because of the stringent terms, almost all of the funds had been applied to interest with minimal reduction of the principle. Meanwhile, in those 10 years, he had established himself in the community and built a profitable business. “I was now a good prospect for traditional farm lenders,” says Daniel. “After reviewing the options available, I secured a 10-year loan with Farm Credit Services in Ohio at the rate of 8 percent, amortized over 10 years, with no prepayment penalty. The entire note was paid off in 10 years.”

Kids – The School Years

Daniel and Jamie chose local private Catholic schools for their kids, first grade through eighth grade, and then a ninth through twelfth high school. That was a good fit for both, but in very different ways. “Our daughter Sara was our rule-follower, an excellent student, and deeply grounded in her faith. So much so we thought at one point she might decide to take her spiritual vows,” says Daniel. “Instead, she opted to follow Jamie’s path and become a registered nurse. We took Sara around the country to look at colleges and included Wallace in those trips. Sara decided on The Ohio State University and thrived there.”

“Our son Wallace is very independent, headstrong, and incredibly smart, a think-out-of-the-box guy. When he was in grade school he was building computers, intranets, and internets. He won an Xbox 360 and used it to further his computer expertise. He was buying used computers on eBay, fixing them, and selling them at a profit, an early

sign of his entrepreneurial abilities. When we upgraded the farm’s workstations and servers, working with the company that did the servers for Trinity in Texas, Wallace was like a bug attached to the technician. He’d ask for the old server and totally rebuild it for his own system, learning by doing.”

That became a pattern. Daniel would upgrade the business system every three to four years and Wallace would get the old servers to rebuild. Daniel says, “He’s an intuitive learner and I wanted to encourage that. When he started asking me to buy him specific components, I’d always ask, ‘What are you going to learn from this?’ If he could justify the purchase, I bought it for him. By Junior High, he had his servers up and running. Also, while he was in Junior High he asked me if I expected him to follow in my footsteps. I told him I wanted him to follow his dream. In my experience, it’s those who have fire in their belly for what they are doing that make it a success, and that’s what I told him. And I encouraged him to follow his own dreams.”

By Junior High, Wallace was consistently cracking the code to override the school’s computer system. Then in high school, it only took him four days to breach all the passwords. Midway through the year, the technology teacher offered him a job to catch his cohorts breaking in. Daniel says, “That summer the school replaced their server without backing up their data. The new server would not talk to the old drive. The tech teacher was stumped. The diocese tech experts were stumped. Wallace figured out a way to get the data off the old drive and onto the new server. It took him a week. During that time, he also participated fully in Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout on his own.”

Always a high-achiever in computer-related endeavors and scouting, Wallace enjoyed reaching this plateau with his Dad.

Despite all those college search trips with his sister; Wallace found his own match. He decided on Dayton University, a private Catholic College in Dayton, Ohio. The first time Daniel and Jamie saw the college was the day they moved him in. While other students were doing the orientation process, Wallace put on a suit, went to

the campus computer center, and got a job. He also served as a resident assistant (RA) and as a Fellow which paid his room and board. The Eagle Scout, RA, and Fellow were three big people skills that gave him an advantage in landing three summer internships with General Electric (GE) Aviation and ultimately a position there. With his combination of jobs, Wallace paid his way through college, graduating with minimal debt.

There are advantages to growing up on a sod farm, including lots of space for the bike riding Sara enjoyed.

TPI Provides a See-and-Learn Advantage

Conferences!!! Study Tours!!! Daniel says, “The people willing to explore the industry outside of their marketing area will discover how others develop solutions to common problems and incorporate new technology into their operations. Those who take advantage of the opportunities TPI provides for that exploration will improve their business operations and grow their profits.”

Daniel and Jamie took part in the recent TPI Study Tour to Italy where they learned about the operations of several farms and saw a new freeze-tolerant Bermudagrass that stays green from Australia. Daniel says, “Another highlight of the trip was the networking opportunity across the generations. Cross-communication with participants in the TPI Future Leaders Fellowship, hearing the really good questions they asked and their perspectives of the shared information, was enlightening and thoroughly enjoyable. It raised our expectations for the future of TPI and the turfgrass production industry.”

TPI Tackles Legislative Challenges

“TPI also gives us the ability to tackle legislative challenges at the national level that would be pointless to challenge only at the state or regional level,” says Daniel. “It’s a combination of expertise and the clout of a united voice that makes our positions heard, acknowledged, and acted on.”

For example, sod farmers found they could keep their customers in high-end, high-wage secondary markets longer because their lower labor costs gave them a competitive advantage in shipping. That worked for a long time. Then the Department of Transportation (DOT) tightened its regulations, limiting what products qualified as agriculture for farm license plates, requiring over-theroad equipment standards, and requiring logs to track the hours of service. Without sod officially listed as an agricultural product in DOT documentation, many states held sod truckers to those higher national standards. Under

the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Casey Reynolds, TPI got turfgrass sod acknowledged and listed as an agricultural product by the DOT.

Now there is another challenge with a Minnesota court ruling prompted by one sod farmer’s violation of the H-2A program. The ruling currently stands in one district. It restricts sod farm H2-A workers from working off the farm and questions H-2A drivers making deliveries off the farm. H-2A drivers for nurseries and any other horticultural operations can deliver materials and also make installations at the customer’s site. Daniel says, “One DOL subparagraph places sod installation in the same category as swimming pool, sidewalk, and deck installation. TPI is working to get sod removed from that paragraph. At its November meeting, the TPI Board agreed to take a proactive approach to address this issue before it escalates to other districts and states.” TPI is available to apply the same proactive action to water bans and other legislative actions that restrict the ability of sod producers to sell more sod.

Strategic Business Moves

Daniel credits TPI and his TPI connections for sparking his top four business strategies. The first was the switch from reel mowers to the new, rotary cut mowers introduced by Progressive Turf Equipment. He says, “We purchased two of their mowers and they consistently delivered that high-quality cut. Our maintenance of the rotary mowers was ten times less than that of the reel mowers, requiring fewer parts and labor.”

Daniel and Jamie’s latest overseas adventure was the TPI Study Tour in Italy.

TPI inspired Daniel’s switch to rotary mowers which saved his business time and money.

Another TPI-inspired labor-saving tool, the auto-stack sod harvester reduced the field crew size from twelve to two.

Daniel first saw the automatic stacking harvester in action in Fort Collins, Colorado, in 2003. At the time he had three hand-stack harvesters and up to 12 staff members on the harvesting field crew. “I had the opportunity to purchase a four-year-old Trebro auto-stack harvester in 2007,” says Daniel. “That was my second strategic decision. I purchased a second used one in 2020 to replace the first one. Those harvesters changed how we did business. We were able to cut faster and reduce our field crew to two people. We added a tractor-mounted pallet carrier that could handle three pallets at a time so we could turn a field even faster.”

From the beginning of Columbus Turf Nursery, Daniel had worked with his turfgrass seed suppliers to develop a “Premium Hybrid Bluegrass Blend” composed of topranked NTEP Kentucky Bluegrass cultivars. Initially, it made up 90 percent of his sod sales, with a Tall Fescue blend accounting for the other 10 percent.

He was introduced to Barenbrug’s RTF during the TPI Conference in Santa Barbara, California, in 2004. He planted some on his farm that spring and by fall had become a member of the RTF Turf Producers Association (now Turf Producers Association). That was his third strategic decision. “RTF is a proprietary brand, a blend of multiple Rhizomatous Tall Fescue cultivars, rather than a single cultivar,” he says. “The individual cultivars within the blend will change with cultivar improvements, but the high-quality performance of the brand remains consistent.” Members of TPA function much as those licensed to grow proprietary grasses. They serve a specific marketing area, are the exclusive suppliers for that market, and pay royalties on the sod they produce. Daniel says, “It was performing well on golf courses on the PGA tour and all the golf courses wanted it, including those in my territory. It was a great boost in sales and a higher market.”

Bluegrasses require approximately 18 months from planting to harvest, making them a two-year crop. That Tall Fescue blend can be planted in the spring and harvested in the fall. Daniel says, “I plant it on a quarter of my land, but because it’s a one-year crop, it accounts for 50 percent of my sod sales.”

In addition, Daniel started growing Scotts ProVista as an experimental grass in 2014. It’s an engineered Kentucky bluegrass that grows more slowly than standard bluegrass varieties, reducing mowing needs by one-half to two-thirds. It also can be mowed down to one-half inch and tolerates glyphosate for weed control. It is the third grass Columbus Turf now offers.

The fourth key strategy was the purchase of the Poyntz Covered Wagon for all four of the Columbus Turf Trucks. Daniel says, “The high-quality graphics present a professional image and a rolling commercial for the first presentation to customers and potential customers. We used

to cut sod, put it in one of the buildings, and then load it onto a truck for delivery. So now we can cut sod, load it into the covered truck, and park it so it’s ready for our drivers to deliver. That eliminates two steps of labor. Unexpected benefits are that it keeps the sod cool in the summer and keeps it from freezing in the winter. In addition, a covered wagon truck is less likely to have issues with the DOT than a truck with conventionally tarped sod.”

Daniel calls these trucks “rolling commercials.”

Columbus Turf sells bulk mulches and several types of aggregate. TPI connections led Daniel to the BigYellowBag which provides another income source. He says, “You have your money before it is delivered which works well in the spring for start-up money.” He also uses Order Sod Now and participates in the Harmony Grower network.

Staffing

Daniel says, “You have external customers who buy your sod and internal customers who are your staff members. Your business can’t operate efficiently or effectively without a good staff that works together well. I hire the best people I can, and I respect them as much for who they are as for what they do. Most of our people have been with us for 20 years or more. They’re not on the leading edge of technology, but they love what they do, and I can count on them to make sure the job gets done right. We’re a family business operating in a family and high-value atmosphere, so word-of-mouth is our best recruiter.”

Columbus Turf Nursery’s staff consists of local employees and H-2A workers.

Early on he hired locals. “I didn’t ask them to do anything I wouldn’t do—and I still don’t,” says Daniel. “In the beginning, we could hire high school students, and they’d usually work for us for two or three years.”

Then the availability of competent local labor changed. In 1996, Daniel had W2s for 53 different employees just to have a field crew of four to five people. He began working with the MAS H-2A program in 1998, shortly after they started to collaborate with the Ohio Farm Bureau, and he continues to do so. “I used H-2A workers as equipment operators and started using them as truck drivers well before other TPI members did,” reports Daniel. “They all pick up enough English to get along, especially because most of the landscapers have bilingual workers too.”

Columbus Turf Nursery’s current in-season, local workforce consists of one truck driver, one mechanic, two shop technicians, and two office workers. In 2024, they had eight H-2A workers. For 2025, they will have six. “I had to document that my labor needs were down 20 percent to make that reduction,” reports Daniel. “I also had to guarantee every local worker would get their job back.”

He adds, “Our state average hourly wage rate for H-2A workers has risen from just over $5 to $19.57 for farm workers and $27.50 for H-2A truck drivers. The restrictions and stipulations keep getting more stringent. There are about a dozen land mines among those they issued just last year. We are hoping for an injunction on those.”

Expanding

In 1996, Daniel had an opportunity to buy 320 acres for $3,000 an acre, but with most farmland selling for $1,200 an acre, he passed on that purchase. By 1998, farmland prices were up to $7,000 an acre and competition for land had escalated. “I spent about 10 years looking for ground and couldn’t find anything worth buying.”

In 2002, Kroger came to Daniel’s area of Ohio. Land prices went from $7000 an acre up to $20,000 plus an acre. Farmers leasing farmland to other farmers typically have a 120-day clause that can end the lease and take back the land. Kroger moving in kicked all the farming off those acres, including Daniel. He found some rental land further south and some near Delaware, Ohio, about 50 miles north of Columbus.

That pricing boom ended in 2004 when Kroger and the big homebuilders acted on the predictions of economists who foresaw the falling market three years ahead of its occurrence. By 2006 or 2007, it was pretty clear the country was going into a recession. Land started coming back on the market, but not from farmers, because they were still holding out for the homebuilders.

Looking to expand, Daniel says, “In 2007, I was eyeing 145 acres south of Columbus. It had all been zoned for development by the city, with the pre-recession asking price $20,000 to $25,000 an acre. I negotiated a price of $5,280 an acre with a 10-year no-sell agreement stipulating I couldn’t sell it to another builder and giving the sellers first right of refusal. Since the land was not contiguous to the river, the sellers agreed to let me survey and drill to find the water source I’d need for sod production, but that offer had a hard August 15 closing date. I did the planning, did the survey, and drilled three test wells. Each hit about 200 gallons. That wasn’t enough. A pond wouldn’t comply with the zoning. I talked to the neighboring landowner who agreed to let me pump water from the river and pipe it across his land. On August 10, the stock market dropped. But remembering my decision not to buy in 1996, I purchased those 145 acres at $5,280 an acre.”

In April of 2009, Daniel got a call from the landowner who had purchased the first land that Daniel had rented for $25,000 an acre. The question was—are you still interested in this property? “I had hoped to rent it back and sublease it,” says Daniel. “I had just spent my capital on those 145 acres. But this was 136 acres contiguous to my farm and I just couldn’t turn it down.”

Daniel was serving on the County Farm Bureau board at that time, one of his numerous stints of serving on farmrelated boards over the years. As well as TPI, he’s active in TPA, the Ohio Landscape Association, the Columbus Landscape Association, and donates to the OLA’s Landscape Olympics. He considers that service a form of value marketing, a way to give back to the community—and another opportunity to “ask questions, observe, and learn so you’ll be smarter and quicker the next time around.”

Daniel says, “Though farming was not good at that point, I knew I could sub out the land. I did the paperwork and determined that a purchase at a good price could just be trading money. I offered to buy it using the average farmland price in Ohio as our barometer and the seller agreed as long as the purchase was completed before the end of 2009. That average price was $4,280 an acre.”

That was a great deal for Daniel—and for the seller. When the recession hit, developers were dumping the land they had bought at the high rate for whatever they could get, and losing money, which made them upside down on their bank loans. Congress acted to help the developers and the banks by letting the developers look back multiple years when filing their taxes. At the end of the year, the seller got a cash credit for the loss. That program expired at the end of 2009. Daniel says, “The seller received the difference in his buying and selling price in 2010. So he made his money quicker––a win-win all around.”

Out of Grass and Back Again

Those acres had not been farmed for two years and were full of weeds. It took Daniel two years to get them cleaned up. Then he put it all into sod and the market dropped. "We went from selling sod at 28 cents a square foot to 11 cents a square foot," says Daniel. “I planted part of my land in sod, but it cost me more than 11 cents a square foot to sell that crop.”

One of Daniel’s lessons learned is that row crop farming markets are usually inversely proportional. If the sod market was bad, the row crop market would be good. With corn prices moving from three dollars to eight dollars and soybeans from nine dollars to fifteen dollars, he had those acres custom-farmed.

Seeking to diversify more in 2008, he planted 11 acres of blueberries, a venture assisted by his daughter Sara. It was going well until damaged by the drift of a neighboring farmer spraying his crop that killed his blueberry plants. Then winds destroyed the protective netting he had installed. Insurance replaced only a portion of that. “Then Sara got married and moved to Florida,” says Daniel. “That was strike three. So I’m out of blueberries.”

Daniel says, “I didn’t plant much grass in 2009 and none in 2010, 2011, and 2012. My farm was row crops until 2013.” He started planting his original farm in grass in 2014 and transitioned the rest of the land out of row crops. “Now that I had ground of my own, I could risk putting it into grass with a reasonable expectation of harvesting it. With the land I owned and the additional 50 acres I leased, I had 435 acres in sod by 2015.”

The sod market first appeared like it would take a hit at the start of the Covid 19 pandemic. Instead, the demand for sod skyrocketed as people spent more time at home and invested more in their outdoor living areas. Daniel steered his company through those fluctuations too, making adjustments as needed to maintain stability and make the best use of his assets.

Kids – Beyond College

After earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and working as a Registered Nurse (RN), Sara took the additional steps to become a Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN). Though she loved her patients, with her high level of compassion and empathy, working in that capacity was emotionally draining. She now uses her nursing skills working for doctors.

When the sod market prices dropped below profitability, Daniel temporarily turned to row crops.

The demand for sod grew during Covid as people stayed home and invested more in their outdoor living spaces.

In this family photo, Jameson’s parents, David and Cyndi Pietrowski, and Sara’s parents, Daniel and Jamie Huggett, join Sara, Jameson, and the young star of the group, Joseph.

Sara’s husband Jameson graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, but his family are huge University of Michigan fans, creating a house-divided, according to Daniel. “They are both rabid football and basketball fans, so the rivalry is intense. Their Christmas wreath is decorated half-and-half in their school colors. After our grandson Joseph was born, they dressed him in University game-day attire based on whichever team was leading the game. Despite all that, Jameson and Sara are good for one another, excelling in their careers, and loving, nurturing parents. They’re also giving us a second grandchild, due soon.”

Daniel reports Wallace is “doing very well in the corporate world” when describing his current position as a senior project leader for GE Aviation. “GE can be an exacting company, typically pruning their workforce and retaining only the top 20 percent,” says Daniel. “Wallace heads multiple teams in the U.S. and Mexico and he holds his people accountable.”

Wallace’s wife Samantha (Sammi) was a BSN and is now an RN. She had leukemia when she was in college and the new generation of drugs saved her life. She now works on a research project that does experimental trials on cancer drugs. Daniel says, “Sammi is passionate and totally invested in her projects. Her role is to fly around the country to make sure the double-blind trials are conducted correctly.” Wallace and Sammi celebrated their first anniversary this past Labor Day.

Their son-in-law Jameson was with Pratt Whitney, a world leader in the design, manufacture, and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. He has now moved on to Lockheed Martin, an industry-leading global security, defense, and aerospace contractor, and has worked on the next generation of military helicopters.

Daniel adds, “Wallace and Jameson are both working with the military in their current positions and have top-secret clearances so that neither can discuss what they are doing, other than it was a good week or a busy week.”

Sara, Jameson, Joseph, and their dog enjoy time at home.

Wallace and Sammi celebrated their first anniversary on Labor Day 2024.

This family photo pictures (from left to right) Jamie and Daniel Huggett, Daniel’s parents, Sharon and Wallace Huggett, Daniel’s nephew, Ryan McLennon, Daniel’s sister, Laura Huggett, Daniel’s sister (and Ryan’s Mom) Kathy McLennon, and Daniel’s son and daughter-in-law, Sammi and Wallace.

Looking Forward

The farm started by his Grandfather spawned four sod farms. Daniel says, “As well as our Columbus Turf Nursery, the third generation includes my brother Mark and his wife Sue who took over Huggett Sod Farm, Inc. in Marlette, Michigan. Also third generation, are my cousins Paul and Shelly who have Paul’s Turf & Tree Nursery in Marshall, Wisconsin, and David and Allison Beck who have Beck Sod Farm, in Palms, Michigan. After Mark came back, Wallace purchased his third farm, creating the 210-acre Michigan Cranberry Company, the largest cranberry producer in Michigan. Wallace and Sharon are enjoying their retirement at their cranberry farm.”

Columbus Turf Nursery has been a great adventure for Daniel and Jamie, providing the great environment in which they raised two children. They’ve traveled across the U.S. and abroad in conjunction with their TPI involvement. They’ve grown their business through TPI’s networking opportunities and made great friends.

“Everything that has a start has an end,” says Daniel. “Our son and daughter have made choices that fit their abilities and interests. Neither is interested in coming back to the sod farm. So now I’m working to wind things down. Last spring we listed our farm with a commercial real estate agency. Selling land for commercial development is a complex process that we don’t anticipate will move quickly. Jamie and I are looking forward to having more spare time to enjoy the life God has blessed us with, visiting family and friends, and traveling.”

Wallace and Sharon Huggett bought their third farm and created the 210acre Michigan Cranberry Company.

Columbus Turf Nursery has been a great adventure for Daniel and Jamie.

Daniel and Jamie are looking forward to more great adventures.

Suz Trusty is co-editor of Turf News

All photos courtesy of Daniel Huggett unless otherwise noted.

A JOURNEY THROUGH ITALY—

THE TURFGRASS PRODUCERS INTERNATIONAL STUDY TOUR

Reported by Allie Roed

The recent Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) tour of Italy proved to be an exceptional opportunity for turfgrass professionals to explore both the agronomic and cultural landscapes of one of Europe’s most renowned farming regions. From ancient Rome to the rolling hills of Tuscany and the fertile plains of Verona, the tour combined technical education, farm visits, and immersive cultural experiences. Here’s a look at the highlights of the trip, which blended the art of turfgrass management with Italy’s renowned agricultural practices and culinary heritage.

Tuesday:

Arrival in Rome and Welcome Dinner

The group arrived in Rome and immediately began networking and mingling over a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow industry professionals, share experiences, and look forward to the exciting days ahead.

Wednesday:

Rome Walking Tour and Exploration

Our first full day in Italy kicked off with a guided walking tour of Rome, led by two expert local guides. The tour highlighted the city’s ancient history, taking us past iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Trevi Fountain. After the tour, attendees had free time to explore Rome’s vibrant neighborhoods, sample its culinary delights, or visit additional historic sites.

Thursday:

Turfgrass Farms and Culinary Delights

Thursday was focused on learning about Italian turfgrass farming, starting with a visit to Becca Prati Sod Farm, located just outside Rome. This family-run farm produces high-quality turfgrass for both domestic and international markets. The visit offered insights into their growing practices and sustainable techniques.

The group then traveled to Bindi Pratopronto Sod Farm for a second farm tour, where we were treated to a fantastic farm-to-table lunch. The meal featured rich lasagna, followed by some of the finest pork dishes many of us had ever tasted.

A standout feature of this visit was the demonstration of an innovative sod-washing machine, which uses a patented system to remove soil from harvested sod before it is rerolled and prepared for installation. This efficient system reflects the forward-thinking approach of Italy’s turfgrass producers.

Friday:

Stadio Olimpico, Marco Simone Golf Club, and Turfgrass Innovation

Friday’s schedule was altered by a public bus strike, which led us to cancel our visit to Piazza di Siena. However, the day was far from a loss. We went directly to the Stadio Olimpico, home of Italy’s national football (soccer) team. There, we were granted an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium, which included an up-close look at the high-performance turf that graces the field for major sporting events.

Next, we visited Marco Simone Golf Club, the venue for the 2023 Ryder Cup. The course posed a unique challenge for turf managers, as it featured four different varieties of grass, creating both agronomic difficulties and aesthetic beauty. The different grasses also presented unique challenges for the grounds crew, but the results were stunning—perfect for high-definition broadcasts during the Ryder Cup.

Saturday: Tuscany’s Charm and Vineyard Visits

On Saturday, we bid farewell to Rome and headed north toward Tuscany. The group’s first stop was the hilltop town of Orvieto, known for its medieval architecture and stunning cathedral. After a few hours of exploration, we continued our journey to Montepulciano, a charming town famous for its wine. There, we had a delightful lunch at Cantina Gattavechi, paired with exceptional wines from the region. Afterward, we continued to Florence, where we enjoyed an evening of local cuisine and city exploration.

Sunday: A Tuscan Winery Experience

Sunday was dedicated to the renowned Tenuto Torciano Winery in Tuscany. Located in the heart of Chianti, this family-owned estate offered an unforgettable experience, featuring an engaging presentation on the winery’s history and production methods. Attendees were treated to a tasting of some of the winery’s finest selections, accompanied by a gourmet meal prepared with fresh local ingredients. The combination of excellent wine, exquisite food, and panoramic views made this an exceptional highlight of the tour.

Monday:

Turfgrass Operations in Brescia and Verona

The tour continued on Monday with an early morning departure for Brescia, where we visited Tenuta Urbana, a farm known for its high-quality turfgrass production. After an informative presentation on their turf operations, the group enjoyed a farm-to-table lunch before touring the farm’s facilities.

The afternoon was spent traveling to Verona, where we checked into our hotel and enjoyed dinner in this charming city, known for its rich history and stunning architecture.

Tuesday:

Turfgrass and Apples in Verona

Tuesday’s visit took us to Pallweber Farm, just outside Verona. This unique operation grows both sod and apples, allowing for an interesting discussion about agricultural practices in Italy. Attendees learned about the farm’s turfgrass production methods.

They also learned about its successful apple-growing practices, particularly with Pink Lady, Granny Smith, and Gala varieties. The tour coincided with the start of the apple harvest, which added a hands-on element to the visit. This exploration of diverse farming practices was a perfect example of Italy’s ability to merge tradition with innovation.

Wednesday: Farewell Dinner in Verona

The tour concluded on Wednesday evening with a farewell dinner at Santa Felicita, a beautifully restored former church in the heart of Verona. This stunning venue provided a fitting backdrop for a reflective evening, where attendees shared their experiences, discussed new ideas, and strengthened professional relationships. The dinner was a perfect end to a trip filled with rich insights into Italy’s turfgrass industry, paired with memorable cultural and culinary experiences.

Conclusion

The TPI Italy tour was an exceptional opportunity for turfgrass professionals to gain valuable insights into both the technical aspects of turfgrass production and the broader agricultural context in Italy. From innovative sod production techniques to the stunning landscapes of Tuscany, each stop offered a unique perspective on the intersection of agronomy, sustainability, and tradition. The combination of farm visits, professional networking, and cultural experiences made this tour an enriching experience for all involved—one that will resonate with participants long after their return home.

Allie Roed is membership and marketing manager for Turfgrass Producers International. She is the coordinator for the TPI Future Leaders Fellowship Program and the TPI Study Tours. All photos are courtesy of Allie Roed.

CULTIVATING GLOBAL CONNECTIONS— FUTURE TURFGRASS LEADERS TOUR ITALY

By Allie Roed

In the picturesque landscapes of Italy, where ancient traditions meet modern innovation, the next generation of turfgrass leaders embarked on an educational journey that blended learning with cultural immersion. This exclusive study tour brought together emerging professionals from the turfgrass industry for an unparalleled opportunity to explore worldrenowned turf management practices and the rich agricultural heritage of one of Europe’s most captivating countries.

Organized with the goal of fostering leadership, collaboration, and a global perspective, the Italy Study Tour offered participants a chance to step beyond their everyday roles and gain inspiration from an international perspective. From visiting local sod producers and agricultural experts, the tour was packed with experiences that enriched their professional knowledge and strengthened their commitment to innovation in turfgrass management.

But it wasn’t all work and no play. Between hands-on field demonstrations, attendees savored Italy’s renowned hospitality. Whether walking the cobblestone streets of Florence, enjoying the rolling hills of Tuscany, or dining on authentic Italian cuisine, the tour offered a cultural experience as rich as the industry insights it provided.

This journal takes you behind the scenes of the TPI 2024 Study Tour and the lessons learned by the Future Leaders of Turfgrass Fellows. Read on to discover how this unique experience is shaping the future of the industry and inspiring its brightest minds to think globally while acting locally.

Meccay Nimmer, Nimmer Turf Farm, South Carolina, presented her impressions of the Italy Study Tour in a Photo Journal format. The photos throughout this article are courtesy of Meccay Nimmer unless otherwise noted.

Members of the Future Leaders Fellowship who took part in the TPI Italy Study Tour are pictured here with representatives of Pa radello Sod Farm. Pictured from left to right are (standing) Andrea Piva, an owner of Paradello; Alec LeMay, A-G Sod Farms; Zac Hanka, Hanka Sod; Slater Helt, Helt’s Turf Farm; David Marquez, Sod Shop; Haley Alford, Horizon Turf Grass; a Paradello employee; Weston Guetterman, Grassroots Sod; (kneeling) Ben Storbeck, H&E Sod Nursery; Henry Kerfoot, Modern Turf; Meccay Nimmer, Nimmer Turf Farm, and a Paradello employee. Photo courtesy of Allie Roed

Photo courtesy of Haley Alford

Henry Kerfoot, Modern Turf, South Carolina

The TPI Study tour was a great opportunity  to grow closer with my peers in the Future Leaders Fellowship. We were able to take in all the beautiful sights as well as learn from the European Sod Producers. These experiences helped us all build memories and bonds that will last well beyond our professional careers!

In particular, I enjoyed going to Marco Simone Golf Club and all of the visits to sod farms.

We walked around with the Golf Course Superintendent and were able to pick his brain on some of the challenges and successes he has come across. We mainly discussed the management practices of the Seashore Paspalum that covers the course tee to green.

At the Becca Prati Sod farm some of the fellows and I talked with a sod farmer and his family who were from Spain. To my surprise, we actually grew many of the same varieties. These included Celebration, Latitude, and Empire. They also grow some of the same Ultradwarf Bermuda grasses, such as Mini Verde and Sunday! We also discussed some of the newer Bermudagrasses emerging in both the U.S. and European markets.

Between the sights, sod farms, and travel companions this trip was unforgettable and something I would highly recommend to all TPI members!

Ben Storbeck, H & E Sod Nursery, Inc., Illinois

Overall our trip was amazing. My wife and I were very hesitant at first as we didn’t know a lot of members that were joining us on the trip, but that soon changed when we landed. It is hard to pinpoint specific things we loved about the trip because every day there was truly amazing with the sights, history, and culture. Immersing ourselves in the European sod production was eye-opening, seeing how similar yet diverse we all are. It gave me ideas we might be able to implement here in the States.

Attending the walking tours in Verona and Rome was a great way to learn the history of Italy but also a good excuse for members to break out into conversations with one another. I can’t count how many connections we made just from standing in the streets of Rome or sitting down at a vineyard sharing conversation over a fabulous lasagna. The lifelong friendships made from a trip like this will pay dividends in the long run and I am excited to see where they go.

Photo courtesy of Allie Roed

Photo courtesy of Allie Roed

Photo courtesy of Ben Storbeck

Slater Helt, Helt Turf Farms, Missouri

Italy was great. I was nervous to travel internationally beforehand but once I got there I really enjoyed it. We had a lot of fun as a group getting to see historical sites, cities, and even sod farms. I got to meet some awesome people through European Turfgrass Producers and was able to ask questions about their growing practices, markets, and of course common struggles in the industry. I look forward to another TPI study tour in the future!

David Marquez, Sod Shop, Kansas

I recently embarked on a tour to Italy with the Turfgrass Producers International (TPI), and I’m thrilled to share some of my experiences from the sod farms we visited.

One aspect that particularly impressed me was the strong network and connections within the TPI organization. The individuals who participated in this trip shared valuable insights about their operations and management practices, which I intend to incorporate into my workplace. Two topics that resonated particularly well with me were the H-2A program for seasonal employees and the management program specifically designed for sod installation, which was presented to me by a board member from Canada.

It was fascinating to learn that the sod farms in Italy produce a similar type of turf to what we grow in Kansas, as we both reside in regions with similar cool temperatures. Notably, their farms are significantly smaller, and they are able to incorporate more advanced technology compared to our operations as far as mowing and turf maintenance.

Haley Alford, Horizon Turf Grass, Texas

I really enjoyed getting to attend the Italy Study Tour with the other Future Leaders and TPI members. It was a great experience to observe how international farms operate and their similarities and differences in production to what we see at our farms in Texas. One of my favorite parts of the trip was touring the Olympic Stadium in Rome, while getting to network with European Turfgrass Producers (ETP) members as well. Overall, I am truly grateful to be a part of the Future Leaders Fellowship Group because I now have lifelong friends that will help each other advocate for the natural sod industry for years to come!

Photo courtesy of Haley Alford

Weston Guetterman, Grassroots Sod, Missouri

The TPI Italy trip was one of the best experiences that I've had in the turf industry. Being able to rub elbows with other producers in the industry was very beneficial for myself and our operation. With our company being relatively in its infancy stages we are still growing and learning fast, taking on new ideas from a multitude of different people and farms. Interacting with growers in our market was very beneficial as we got the time to sit down and chat about our experiences and hardships without the business of our everyday lives getting in the way. This helped us to better take a look back and see items of improvement for the future. It was also beneficial to network with producers from across the country to listen to their challenges and needs.

Another aspect that was unique about the experience was the opportunity to chat with producers from other countries that have a different set of challenges than we have in our market and in the United States whether it be regulatory, climate, or marketing challenges. These different perspectives helped me think outside the box in our market to find solutions to our problems and prevent other potential ones from rising. One thing that a farm did that I picked up was the potential to grow different species of plants for various purposes. One producer grew a lowcost cover plant to lay on steep slopes and waste ground. Although this species didn't produce a show lawn, it was a great cost-efficient option for alternative spaces. Another interesting idea to combat regulation pressure was to install plant blends on the walls of large industrial facilities. This would help to increase their green space while being efficient with the space that they have.

Being one of the younger people in the group I got the opportunity to interact with the other producers on the trip in a unique way. Being looked at as the future of the industry instead of the present helped me to have the confidence to ask any questions that came to mind. My curiosity allowed me to ask many questions to anyone willing to listen.

From a tourist perspective, it was great to see all of the ancient history in Italy that we don't have in the United States. Touring the Coliseum was definitely at the top of this list for me. It had always been on my bucket list, and it was even more impressive than I could have imagined. On top of this was the opportunity to see the Pope and to visit the Vatican, both very eye-opening experiences. Another highlight of my trip was walking the streets of Verona with the group. It was a beautiful town that was more peaceful and quiet than the streets of Rome. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to tour Italy.

Allie Roed is membership and marketing manager for Turfgrass Producers International. She is the coordinator for the TPI Future Leaders Fellowship Program and the TPI Study Tours. All photos are courtesy of Meccay Nimmer unless otherwise noted.

Photo courtesy of Allie Roed

Photo courtesy of Ben Storbeck

WHERE TURFGRASS EXPERTS AND ENTHUSIASTS UNITE:

2025 TPI INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE & FIELD DAY

In February 2025, the heart of the turfgrass industry will converge at the prestigious JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa for the 2025 TPI International Education Conference & Field Day. From February 9-13, this premier event offers an unparalleled opportunity for professionals and enthusiasts alike to explore cutting-edge trends, connect with industry leaders, and gain valuable insights in a setting that seamlessly blends luxury with learning.

Nestled in the scenic Texas Hill Country, this sprawling 600-acre resort promises to provide the perfect backdrop for networking, innovation, and celebration. With a lineup that includes world-class speakers, interactive field demonstrations, and a private concert by country music icon Tracy Byrd, this year’s conference is set to deliver an experience like no other.

Learn, Network, Grow: The 2025 TPI Agenda

The TPI onference offers a jam-packed agenda designed to educate and inspire. Here’s a day-by-day look at what attendees can expect:

• Sunday, February 9: Kick off your experience with registration and a Super Bowl Tailgate Party in the Cibolo Ballroom. Enjoy the excitement of the big game while mingling with fellow turfgrass professionals in a lively, welcoming atmosphere.

• Monday, February 10: The day begins with an inspirational keynote by Jeff McManus, a leader in professional development. The morning and afternoon are filled with education sessions covering topics like fraud prevention, sports field trends, and competition strategies. Enjoy a networking lunch hosted by The Lawn Institute (TLI), followed by an evening of relaxation at the resort.

• Tuesday, February 11: This day is all about connections, with highlights like the Women in Turf Reception and the Sponsor Showcase Expo, which includes a hot dinner buffet. Attendees will gain insights into the latest technologies and solutions shaping the industry.

• Wednesday, February 12: Field Day at Bladerunner Farms is the crown jewel of the event. Participants will witness live equipment demonstrations, enjoy a Texas BBQ lunch, and join in the fun with farm games. The day concludes with an intimate concert by Tracy Byrd, a memorable finale to an extraordinary event.

Unforgettable Experiences to Elevate Your Visit

The 2025 TPI Conference is more than an industry event—it’s an experience. This year’s lineup includes exclusive opportunities to relax, connect, and celebrate

• Private Concert with Tracy Byrd: As the sun sets over Bladerunner Farms, enjoy an up-close performance by country music legend Tracy Byrd. Known for hits like “Keeper of the Stars” and “I’m from the Country,” Byrd will entertain the crowd in an intimate, one-of-a-kind setting.

• Sportsman’s Raffle & Fundraisers: Support The Lawn Institute while winning incredible prizes. Whether it’s high-quality outdoor gear or unique memorabilia, the Sportsman’s Raffle promises excitement and great rewards.

• Women in Turf Reception: Celebrate the contributions of women in the turfgrass industry at this dedicated networking event.

• TLI Wild West Luncheon: Enjoy a delicious meal and games at the Resort Pavilion while connecting with fellow attendees in a relaxed setting.

• Optional Farm Tour: Take advantage of an additional opportunity on Thursday, February 13, for another farm tour. Arrangements were still pending at press time. Check the TPI website for more information as details are finalized.

Your Passport to Innovation and Connection

With so much to offer, the 2025 TPI International Education Conference & Field Day is a must-attend event for anyone in the turfgrass industry. The all-inclusive ticket provides exceptional value, including meals, access to all sessions, and admission to the Field Day and Concert.

Attendees from past conferences rave about the event’s ability to combine practical knowledge with memorable experiences. “The TPI Conference is where I’ve made some of my most valuable industry connections,” says one participant. “It’s a place to learn, share, and grow.”

Don’t miss out—take advantage of early bird pricing and secure your spot today. Visit turfgrasssod.org/events to register and prepare for an unforgettable experience.

Editor’s Note: This Conference Preview article was provided by Allie Roed.

Schedule Subject to Change

DIAMOND

PLATINUM

SPOTLIGHT ON INSPIRING SPEAKERS: LEADERS SHAPING THE TURFGRASS INDUSTRY

The 2025 TPI International Education Conference & Field Day boasts a stellar lineup of speakers, each bringing expertise and insights that will leave attendees motivated and informed. From leadership development to cutting-edge turfgrass research, these speakers are leaders in their fields, ready to share strategies, knowledge, and inspiration.

Jeff McManus:

Growing Greatness

Keynote Speaker | Landscape Leader, University of Mississippi

Jeff McManus is renowned for his ability to grow greatness—not just in landscapes, but in people. As the landscape leader at the University of Mississippi, McManus transformed his team, affectionately known as "weeders," into "leaders," earning national recognition for their work.

McManus brings over two decades of experience in cultivating talent and inspiring high performance. His keynote, “Grow Your Team’s Greatness Through High Results,” will offer practical advice on leadership and team building, helping attendees unlock their organization's potential.

Flora Delaney: Outsmart the Competition

President, Delaney Consulting

With clients ranging from Amazon to the California Strawberry Board, Flora Delaney knows how to help businesses thrive. Her session, “Outsmart the Competition: Strategies Beyond Just Pricing,” focuses on leveraging strengths like customer service and product quality to stand out in a crowded market.

Delaney’s insights will provide attendees with actionable strategies for integrating these principles into their operations to secure long-term success—even in challenging economic climates.

Dr. Gerald Henry: Innovating Turfgrass Science

Athletic Association Endowed Professor, University of Georgia

Dr. Gerald Henry is a leading authority in environmental turfgrass science. His session, “Cutting Edge Approaches for Testing Sports Field Safety and Performance,” delves into innovative methods using wearable sensors to improve the safety and playability of sports fields.

As the director of the Athens Turfgrass Research and Education Center, Dr. Henry brings a wealth of expertise on precision turfgrass management, making his session a must-attend for anyone involved in sports field management.

Ryan DeMay: The State of the Industry

Principal, Field Source Consulting

Ryan DeMay’s session, “2025 Sports Field Market Report for Sod Producers,” will highlight trends and challenges facing the industry. Drawing from his extensive experience managing sports fields and consulting for parks, schools, and professional teams, DeMay will provide data-driven insights to help producers compete against synthetic turf alternatives.

Jeff Price: Protecting Businesses in 2025

Founder, Pronto Pay

Fraud prevention takes center stage in Jeff Price’s session, “Fraud-Proof Your Business: Essential Tactics for 2025 and Beyond.” With over a decade of experience in fraud detection and specialty finance, Price will share actionable strategies to safeguard businesses from emerging threats.

Dr. Casey Reynolds: Advocacy in Action

Executive Director, Turfgrass Producers International

As an advocate for the turfgrass industry, Dr. Casey Reynolds leads the charge in government relations. In his session, “Lawn & Order: TPI’s Role in Public Policy,” he will provide updates on legislative trends and the organization’s advocacy efforts, including work with the Farm Bill and federal agencies.

With over 300 publications and invitations to speak at events across the globe, Dr. Reynolds’ session will leave attendees better equipped to navigate the regulatory landscape.

TPI Producer Panel

Moderated by Sarah Nolte, Business Manager, Blue Grass Enterprises

TPI producers will bring a fresh perspective in the fast-paced session, “10 Ideas in 50 Minutes.” This collaborative discussion features innovative ideas from farms across the industry, ranging from office practices to agronomics. Attendees are sure to leave with practical takeaways to implement in their own operations.

New TPI Board Members Show & Tell

Join us for one of the most anticipated sessions at the TPI Education Conference! Meet our new TPI Board Members: Sarah Nolte, Kurt Vanclief, and Justin Thomas. Discover their farms, backgrounds, and the inspirations that led them to serve on the TPI Board of Trustees. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and learn from these dedicated leaders!

Learn from the Best in the Industry

The 2025 TPI speakers represent the pinnacle of expertise in turfgrass management, leadership, and innovation. Their diverse backgrounds and forward-thinking approaches promise to deliver a wealth of knowledge to attendees at all stages of their careers.

Whether you’re looking to enhance your leadership skills, navigate market challenges, or adopt new technologies, these sessions are designed to empower and inspire. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the brightest minds in the industry.

FIELD DAY AND A PRIVATE CONCERT WITH TRACY BYRD: A PERFECT BLEND OF LEARNING AND ENTERTAINMENT

When it comes to combining industry innovation with unforgettable experiences, the 2025 TPI Field Day delivers in spades. Held at the renowned Bladerunner Farms in Poteet, Texas, this action-packed day on February 12, 2025, promises to be the highlight of the conference. From hands-on demonstrations to a celebratory dinner and an exclusive private concert by country music legend Tracy Byrd, Field Day offers a perfect mix of education, camaraderie, and entertainment.

Experience the Cutting Edge of Turfgrass Technology

Bladerunner Farms, an epicenter of innovation in the turfgrass industry, provides the ideal venue for TPI’s Field Day. Known for its advancements in grass varieties and sustainability practices, the farm offers attendees the chance to see cutting-edge equipment and techniques in action.

Field Day begins with a Texas-style BBQ lunch, where attendees can refuel and connect with colleagues before diving into a series of live demonstrations. Vendors will showcase the latest in turfgrass machinery, tools, and solutions, giving participants a hands-on look at how these innovations can transform their operations.

Whether you’re a sod producer, sports field manager, or turfgrass enthusiast, Field Day offers invaluable insights into the tools and technologies shaping the future of the industry.

Fun, Games, and Community Spirit

After an afternoon of learning and exploration, attendees can unwind with TPI Farm Games—a spirited competition designed to foster camaraderie and connection among industry peers. From light-hearted challenges to team-based activities, the games offer a unique way to bond with fellow attendees and celebrate the vibrant turfgrass community.

A Night to Remember: Tracy Byrd Live in Concert

As the sun sets over Bladerunner Farms, the excitement shifts gears for a private concert by country music superstar Tracy Byrd. Sponsored by Magnum, this exclusive event offers attendees a rare opportunity to enjoy an intimate performance by one of country music’s most beloved artists.

Tracy Byrd burst onto the country music scene in the early 1990s, captivating audiences with his heartfelt ballads and toe-tapping anthems. Hits like “Keeper of the Stars,” “Watermelon Crawl,” and “I’m from the Country” have solidified his place as a mainstay in the genre. Known for his rich baritone voice and engaging stage presence, Byrd promises to deliver an evening filled with nostalgia, energy, and unforgettable moments.

The setting couldn’t be more fitting. Surrounded by the rolling fields of Bladerunner Farms and the camaraderie of industry peers, attendees will enjoy Byrd’s greatest hits in a relaxed and intimate environment. This isn’t just a concert; it’s a celebration of community, connection, and the shared passion for turfgrass.

Why You Can’t Miss Field Day

Field Day at the 2025 TPI Conference is more than an event—it’s an experience. It’s where education meets celebration, and industry insights are paired with moments of pure enjoyment. From the practical knowledge gained through live demonstrations to the lasting memories created during the Tracy Byrd concert, Field Day is a testament to TPI’s commitment to delivering value and connection to its members.

This is your chance to learn from the best, network with peers, and enjoy an extraordinary evening of music and fellowship. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this unique event at Bladerunner Farms—a place where turfgrass innovation meets Texas hospitality.

NATURAL GRASS SOD CHECKOFF VOTING OPENS IN JANUARY

By Casey Reynolds, PhD

Anyone who has read a Turf News article about the proposed checkoff, or been to a TPI or state sod association meeting in the last few years has probably heard me say before that the path to a checkoff is purposefully long. We’ve had industry discussions that I can recall as far back as 2018-19, and then initially approached USDA to discuss them as early as 2020. After five years of discussion, traveling to visit with producers, speaking at conferences, incorporating feedback, and so on, the USDA announced on December 10, 2024, that voting on the proposed U.S. Natural Grass Sod Checkoff program is set to open in January 2025. The key details of the referendum are below.

Any U.S. sod producer who produced and sold natural grass sod during the 2024 calendar year is eligible to vote in the upcoming referendum. The voting period is January 13, 2025, through February 11, 2025. To be eligible to vote, current natural grass sod producers must have sold natural grass sod products in the United States during the representative period from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. Anyone who believes that they are eligible to vote in the referendum may request a ballot by emailing the contact provided in the ADDRESSES section to the right.

Eligible producers must provide evidence of natural grass sod sales during the representative period. A single copy of a transaction report, sales receipt, CPA statement, or tax document are all acceptable forms of documentation that can be returned with the ballots. Ballots will be mailed to all known eligible natural grass sod producers on or before January 10, 2025, and must be received by the Referendum Agents no later than the close of business 5 pm (Eastern Standard Time) on February 11, 2025. Ballots can be returned to USDA in the UPS envelope provided in the ballot package or can be emailed to an electronic inbox that USDA will set up before the voting period opens on January 13, 2025.

Referendum Summary

• Voting on the proposed checkoff is open from January 13 until 5:00 pm EST on February 11, 2025.

• Ballots will be mailed to all known U.S. sod producers. Additionally, any U.S. sod producer who wants to vote may request a ballot by emailing Maribel Reyna at the address below.

• Sod producers must provide evidence that they sold sod at least once from 1/1/24 to 12/31/24. Acceptable documentation could include only one copy, not the original, of any of the following documents:

- Transaction report, sales receipt, CPA statement, tax document, or other appropriate documentation that verifies they are a sod producer.

• Ballots can be returned to USDA in the UPS envelope provided in the ballot package or can be emailed to an electronic inbox that USDA will set up before the voting period opens on January 13, 2025.

• Ballots must be received by 5:00 pm EST on February 11, 2025.

• ADDRESSES Maribel.Reyna@usda.gov

Postcards like the adjacent one were mailed on December 10, 2025, to all known eligible natural grass sod producers. If you did not receive one, please contact Maribel Reyna of USDA at the above email address. A ballot package consisting of a producer letter, checklist, ballot, copies of the proposal, and a return shipping label/envelope will also be mailed out prior to the beginning of the voting period, which opens on January 13, 2025, so that sod producers have it prior to the voting period opening date. If you do not receive a ballot package, please contact Maribel Reyna at Maribel.Reyna@usda.gov. All ballots can be returned to USDA in the pre-paid UPS envelope that arrives with the ballot package, or they can be emailed to an electronic inbox that will be set up prior to the voting period opening date of January 13, 2025. All ballots must be received by 5:00 pm EST on February 11, 2025.

U.S. Sod Producers, be on the lookout for this postcard in your mailbox:

Please contact USDA at the contact information in ADDRESSES above, or at (202) 302-1139, as provided in the recent announcement. You can also contact the TPI office at 800-405-8873 or info@TurfgrassSod.org for further assistance, and we’ll be happy to help out. You can read the full details of this recent announcement at the link below.

USDA Notice of Upcoming Referenda

https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/researchpromotion/program-referenda

We’ve been out on the road for five years now talking about this proposed program, but perhaps now is a good time to do a quick recap of some of the key points. There are 22 Research and Promotion Programs for other agricultural products, and they raise approximately $1 billion annually to fund research and promotion for their industries. The proposed Natural Grass Sod Checkoff program is estimated to raise $12 million or more annually to fund research and promotion of natural grass.

These funds would be raised by an assessment of 1/10th of one penny per square foot of sod sold and would be submitted quarterly to a sod checkoff board. One of the questions I have often received while traveling is “Can I pass this cost along to my customer?” The short answer is yes, sod producers can pass this assessment on to their customers by adding it to their invoices if desired. The Golf Course Superintendents Association (GCSAA), Sports Field Management Association (SFMA), National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), and many other green industry groups have come out in support of this program and have said they will help educate our industry’s customers (landscapers, sports field managers, etc.) on the need to fund this program. After all, any research and promotion programs with the stated objective of promoting natural grass is likely going to benefit those industries who rely on natural grass.

After traveling the country for the last five years speaking to producers, there were also several requested changes that commonly came up in discussions with producers that have now been adopted into the current proposal. One of which is a guaranteed allocation of funds to be used in the state in which it is generated. As a result of these requests, up to 50 percent of the funds generated in a state would be used to fund research or promotion in that state. Just like the national checkoff, sod producers would be in charge of it. These funds would be administered through state producer boards, which are referred to in the checkoff language as Qualified Organizations. Qualified Organization means any organization that has the primary purpose of representing Natural Grass Sod Producers, has Natural Grass Sod Producers as members, and has a board of directors comprised of a majority of Natural Grass Sod Producers.

Another point that was added at the request of many in the industry is that the three states with the highest volume of Natural Grass Sod production, as determined on an annual basis by the Secretary, shall have at least one natural grass sod producer to serve as a representative on the board in their respective Region. This structure is now incorporated into the proposed checkoff board formation.

Steps Completed

Initial Discussions with USDA-AMS (2017-18)

Met with American Farm Bureau (2019)

Formation Committee (2020)

Draft Proposal to USDA-AMS (2021)

Updated Language to USDA-AMS (2022)

Public Comment Period Opened (Oct 2023)

Public Comment Period Closed (Dec 2023)

Results of Public Comment Period (2024)

Notification of Voting Period (12/10/2024)

The voting period is January 13, 2025, through February 11, 2025.

The full details of the proposed program are available online for anyone to view and can be found through the link provided earlier in this article. Table 1 lays out the key milestones and steps that we’ve gone through over the last five years or so, and there is no doubt that the referendum is the most important of all of them. After all, this proposal is designed to be written by producers, voted on by producers, and if passed, led by producers.

If you are a natural grass sod producer and would like to request a ballot, please do so through the process described earlier in this article. As we head into the referendum, I am here to serve as a resource for anyone with questions on the program, how to vote, or anything else. Please do not hesitate to contact our office at 800-405-8873 if I can help, and I’ll be happy to visit with you.

Steps Remaining

Voting Period Opens (1/13/2025)

Voting Period Closes (2/11/2025)

Notification of Results (TBD)

If Voting Results Positive, proceed to below:

Board Member Nominations (TBD)

Board Formed (TBD)

Checkoff Begins (TBD)

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

Table 1 - Current And Remaining Steps to a Proposed U.S. Sod Industry Research And Promotion Program, Aka Checkoff

TOP BACKYARDING TRENDS FOR 2025

The TurfMutt Foundation

The popularity of backyarding will continue to increase in 2025, says the TurfMutt Foundation, which has encouraged outdoor living and caring for green spaces for the last 15 years. Backyarding is the act of moving everyday activities like dining, entertaining, relaxing, and working to the outdoor green space around us, such as family yards, parks, sports fields, and other green areas.

“Things are always changing economically, culturally, and in terms of what people prioritize in their lives; however, the importance of the family backyard and community parks remains consistent,” says Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation. “People have come to appreciate the many health, well-being, environmental, and economic benefits of the green space around us, and communities should be making it a greater priority.”

Here are the top backyarding trends the TurfMutt Foundation has identified for 2025:

•The need for urban backyarding will increase. Homebuyers moved to the suburbs in droves during the pandemic, but mandates to return to in-person workspaces continue driving people back to city centers. This means greater importance on making the most of small urban backyards, balconies, or patio gardens. There will also be an increased desire for “public backyarding” spaces like neighborhood parks, pocket parks, community gardens, dog parks, and more.

•Cities investing in green space will be sought after. Community investment in spaces for “public backyarding” as a keystone amenity has proven to produce happier residents. Green space makes cities more livable, creates wildlife habitats, and improves environmental conditions within city corridors. The city of Louisville is ahead of this trend with Mulligan’s Bark Park and The TurfMutt Foundation Great Lawn, which are both located in the city’s historic downtown.

•Outdoor activity areas will accommodate all ages. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, there are now more multi-generational households than ever before. This is largely because of the cost of homeownership and the need to pool money to afford housing. Other factors are an aging population that requires care or young adults “boomeranging” back home due to high housing costs. Backyards will be revamped for flexible activity zones that accommodate all manner of activities.

•Backyards will become wellness retreats. The focus on improving mental health in big and small ways will continue to gain steam in 2025, and the backyard and public green space will play a pivotal role. People will set up calming spaces in their yards to support a slower lifestyle, seek out opportunities to disconnect from technology, and reconnect to the natural world right at their backdoor and in neighborhood parks.

•Pet-friendly spaces will level up. More than 66 percent of American households own a pet, and more millennials are choosing pets over having kids. Expect greater pet pampering in the backyard with water fountains, digging areas, and at-home agility courses. Pet lovers also will seek out communities that cater to their canines with dog parks like Mulligan’s Bark Park, agility courses, splash pads, pet-friendly shopping and dining corridors, and more.

To learn more about the TurfMutt Foundation, visit TurfMutt.com, where visitors can download the TurfMutt Foundation’s International Backyarding Fact Book. For more, sign up for Mutt Mail, a monthly e-newsletter with backyarding tips and all the news from the TurfMutt Foundation. Look for Mulligan the TurfMutt on the CBS Lucky Dog television show on Saturday mornings.

About the TurfMutt Foundation: TurfMutt, which celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2024, was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) TurfMutt Foundation and has reached more than 70 million children, educators, and families since 2009. Championed by Foundation spokesdog, Mulligan the TurfMutt, and through education partners such as Weekly Reader, Discovery Education , and Scholastic, TurfMutt has taught students and teachers how to “save the planet, one yard at a time.” Today, TurfMutt is an official U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC®) Education Partner and part of their global LEARNING LAB.

at a t ing

The Foundation spokesdog, Mulligan the TurfMutt, a rescue adopted by Kris Kiser, lounges in the yard of his forever home. Photo courtesy of The TurfMutt Foundation and Kris Kiser

SOD COOLERS

By Jack Warpinski

Editor’s note: This is the TPI Leadership, Innovation, and Technology (LIT) Committee’s article addressing innovative solutions. We have all taken the call before. A customer is irate because the sod we delivered is dead, and they want it replaced immediately. It’s mid-summer and the sod was delivered 4 days ago, and they are just starting to unroll it.

We all know, as sod farmers, about the limited shelf life of sod once harvested. We try to educate our customers, with some success, but the challenge still remains to provide sod as fresh as possible to our clients. It would be nice to harvest sod days or weeks in advance and not deal with the stress of inopportune breakdowns, trucks waiting to be loaded, and cutting in poor weather conditions. The short shelf life of our product is something that makes sod farming unique and challenging.

There are many variables that affect how quickly sod will spoil on a pallet. Temperature, moisture, grass variety, how recently sod was fertilized, and even how the sod is harvested (slabs vs rolls vs big rolls) all play a part in how long it lasts. Of these, temperature is usually the primary factor. One interesting but uncommon solution to addressing this is using a vacuum cooler to quickly cool harvested pallets prior to sale.

These coolers are traditionally used to rapidly cool produce and flowers for shipment, but the same idea applies to sod. Unlike a refrigerator which uses a heat exchanger to cool the air, these systems cool by vacuuming air out of a sealed chamber, reducing the pressure and causing a fraction of the moisture in the sod and soil to quickly evaporate. This evaporation rapidly cools the product down to just above freezing (as air pressure decreases, so does the boiling point of water). This cooling occurs uniformly throughout the entire pallet, not just from the outside-in like it would in a blast freezer.

I spoke to Darin Habenicht of H&E Sod Nursery in Illinois, USA, and Jacky van de Sluis of Rollrasen Van de Sluis in Luxembourg, who have both recently installed vacuum coolers, and asked them several questions about their experiences with them so far.

Sod is cooled internally to just above freezing. Photo courtesy of Weber Vacuum Group

1) What made you decide to initially invest in vacuum cooling?

Jacky stated that due to rising retail sales he saw an opportunity to expand the service area to which he provided sod, which was at times limited by sod spoilage. Darin sought to better serve his big box stores and garden center customers to help them reduce waste. Both growers mentioned that an added benefit is more flexible harvesting. Depending on conditions, sod can be harvested days before rain. When the weather is very hot, sod can be cut the day prior as opposed to starting harvest at 1:00 am.

The primary motivation in both cases came from a desire to improve the quality of their product to the end user.

2) Where did you source your unit from?

Both of these units are from a manufacturer in Europe, Weber Vacuum Group. Darin at H&E purchased his unit from another grower. Weber Vacuum Group will custom design these systems based on the needs of each customer.

In addition to the equipment, electric service will likely need to be upgraded by your electric company since these pumps require more power than what is usually supplied to farms.

3) How much does cooling the sod extend its shelf life?

Both growers stated that at a minimum, sod will last an additional 24 hours. On hot summer days when customers are instructed to “install within 24 hours” they can safely do so in 48 hours. Jacky mentioned that even after this the sod will start to yellow, but will not heat up nearly as fast as non-cooled sod.

Darin performed an experiment in July, with Kentucky Bluegrass harvested at 85°F/30°C. That sod was still sellable four days later. Typically, sod would need to be sold within 24 hours in these conditions without cooling.

Coolers and vacuum equipment at Rollrasen Van de Sluis. Photo courtesy of Rollrasen Van de Sluis

Kentucky bluegrass big rolls being cooled at H&E Sod Nursery. Photo courtesy of H&E Sod Nursery

4) Do you have an approximate "cycle cost" of cooling pallets?

The main costs of these units are their upfront cost and the electricity consumption (in addition to increased handling costs). The cost of a 16-pallet cooler system will run in the mid to high six figures, which is a significant investment. Since the number of cycles per year will vary, each grower would need to do their own math to determine the cost per square foot to attribute to this equipment. A rough estimate of five cycles per day, 200 days per year, for 10 years, would equate to $70 per cycle, or about three-quarters of one cent per square foot.

Jacky estimated that his electricity cost is about €0.10 per square meter (approx. 1 cent per square foot). Expect this to be significantly lower in the US with lower energy costs.

The time that it takes to cool will depend on the starting temperature and can vary between 20 and 45 minutes. Jacky said that his 24-pallet unit will almost keep up with his Autostack harvester.

These coolers are not portable, so you also need to account for additional handling time and costs associated with transporting the sod back to the cooler. Darin modified his cooler to load from the side as opposed to the front to cut down on handling time. Jacky uses a telehandler with double-length forks to load and unload two pallets at once from the front of the units.

Telehandler loading sod into the cooler at Rollrasen Van de Sluis. Photo courtesy of Rollrasen Van de Sluis

5) Do you charge any additional fees for cooled sod?

One of the growers adds a small surcharge for cooled sod, and the other grower cools all of their sod and has the cooling cost already included in their sod price.

6) Any other thoughts? Any customer feedback?

Darin says that his garden center customers will place larger orders now since they know that they can sell the product for longer before it spoils. He also has customers who insist on always purchasing cooled sod after trying it since they feel that it roots more quickly and provides a better product for their end users.

Both growers say that they no longer need to use reefer trucks for long distance shipping. Once the pallet is cooled, it stays cool for a long time since the core of the pallet is just above freezing.

Another added benefit is the ability to pre-cut and store sod for same-day orders. This avoids having to have a cutting crew on standby for when customers show up for sod without pre-ordering. Cooled sod can last several days, even in summer, and it is also possible to cool sod a second time to even further extend its shelf life.

These coolers are a very effective way to address the issue of sod shelf life and surely improve the quality of the product that can be produced. It is up to the grower to determine if this benefit is worth the investment. When you take into account the upfront cost, power consumption, and handling, my best estimate is between 2 and 3 cents per square foot for 1000 cycles per year, which is very significant.

I suspect that it depends on the application and end-user; if you are selling high volume and low price sod to tract housing developments, this likely will not make sense financially since the cooling cost will outweigh any added price the customer will pay or any efficiency gain. Conversely, if you are selling specialty sod to retail, garden centers, or are frequently delivering longer distances, the added shelf life may be worth the cost and allow you to differentiate yourself from your competitors and charge more for a higher quality product.

Jack Warpinski is the general manager at Central Sod Farms, Inc., based at the company's Centreville, Maryland, location. He ha been managing the operation for the past 15 years.He can be contacted by email at

Palletized sod being cooled at H&E Sod Nursery. Photo courtesy of H&E Sod Nursery

ROOTED IN RESEARCH

THE TURFGRASS CONTRIBUTIONS OF DR. RICK BRANDENBURG—BILLBUG EGG-LAYING-LARVAL SURVIVAL BEHAVIORS

By Cale A. Bigelow, PhD

I sit here penning this column as November transitions to December 2024 and it’s been quite the fall in the Midwest. As has been the trend in recent autumns, we had a very extended period of very dry weather. In fact, in Indianapolis, we were on track to have the driest October on record with less than 0.1 inch (0.254 cm) of rain for the month. We almost made the weather history leaderboard but then it rained on Halloween. While the record was not broken, the rain was much needed and turfgrasses throughout the region were grateful for the replenishment of some soil moisture going into late fall.

As I mentioned, these very dry autumn conditions have been an increasing trend in recent years and places like Southeastern Ohio into West Virginia did experience record dry conditions. These extended dry periods can have significant effects on plants and efforts to keep them healthy.

For most professional turf managers and even the do-ityourselfer managing cool-season grasses, I emphasize that September and October are an optimal time of year for THE BIG THREE: “seeding, feeding, and weeding.” Without access to supplemental irrigation, the lack of liquid gold from the sky sure does make it difficult to be successful for anyone who planted new grass, overseeded an existing turf and/or applied fall nitrogen fertilizer with the hopes of strong improvements in density and green color.

While soil moisture content impacts seeding and feeding efforts, it also affects various insect pest populations, which is the topic I wanted to cover in this column. In addition, I wanted to highlight some of the contributions of turfgrass scientist/entomologist, and YouTube sensation, Dr. Rick Brandenburg who hosts “Turf, Bugs and Rock and Roll.” He recently wrapped up an impressive and

impactful career at North Carolina State University. Dr. Brandenburg has family ties to the Midwest, growing up in Wabash, IN, and earning his Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University.

Here are some little-known fun facts about his rural hometown. The city of Wabash claims to be the first lighted city in the United States (1880) and was where the Honeywell Corporation was originally founded in the same era. Wabash is a term that means "water over white stones" to the Miami-Illinois Indians, which was due to the magnificent clarity of a section of the Wabash River running over a bed of limestone bedrock, but I digress...

Dr. Brandenburg is well-known in the turfgrass industry for his pioneering and impactful applied research on insect pests affecting many turfgrass systems. He has also made numerous significant contributions to production agricultural crops like peanuts both here in the USA and in many international destinations such as Ghana and Malawi where peanuts are an important dietary source of protein.

Throughout Dr. Brandenburg’s career, his lab conducted research on numerous economically important insect pests for the Southeastern U.S. These include but are not limited to mole crickets, grubs, ground pearls, the sugar cane beetle, and various billbugs. For this article, I want to focus on billbugs (Figure 1) which are a complicated insect pest since their damage is often confused with issues like soil compaction, nutrient deficiencies, drought/summer stress, nematodes, a “summer disease,” or often attributed to other damaging insects like the white grub.

According to our turf entomologist here at Purdue, Dr. Doug Richmond, billbugs affect roughly half of all home lawns in this part of the Midwest making them one of, if not the most, common turfgrass-infesting insects.

Multiple generations of billbugs frequently overlap throughout the growing season extending the time period when both adults and larvae may be present. For the bluegrass billbug, turfgrass damage is associated with the larvae, while for hunting billbugs the adults are most damaging. In short, this paints a complicated picture concerning the most effective suppression strategies for billbugs and has strong implications for proper pesticide application timing to achieve maximum effectiveness.

Figure 2. A typical larvae of bluegrass billbug in the soil.

Since billbugs are complicated, turf managers need practical guidance in the best suppression strategies and Dr. Brandenburg’s entomology research lab conducted a series of hunting billbug studies to better understand their behavior and how environmental factors like soil moisture may affect this insect in North Carolina (Reynolds et al, 2016). Their specific objectives were to determine the overwintering life stages, larval survival under different moisture regimes, and oviposition (this is simply a fancy word for egg laying) and feeding behavior of adults.

One of the more important findings of this research was that egg-laying data indicated that larvae could be present at any time throughout the year. Since there is such a long period of larval activity, understanding how factors like soil moisture status affect larval survival was important. In this study, they found that hunting billbug larvae mortality was lowest under low moisture status and highest under very wet conditions. This is important since higher larval survival results in more emerging adults that could damage turfgrass.

These larval survival data are similar to what has been documented for other insect pests like white grubs. Grubs did not survive at 0 percent soil moisture. Survival increased with increasing soil moisture, but at high soil moisture, survival decreased. The effects of soil moisture on larval survival is important information to aid in advising turf managers of optimal timings for insecticide applications. Given the long egg-laying period and visible damage associated with adult hunting billbugs, suppression efforts should target when the adults are active. Monitoring strategies like scouting for adult activity immediately after sunset or the use of pitfall traps may also improve pesticide application timing efforts.

While a number of insecticides can be used to suppress billbug populations, there are also effective non-chemical options for chronically affected lawns. In a prior “Rooted in Research” article from January/February 2022, I highlighted research that was conducted in Ohio on a chronically affected Kentucky bluegrass lawn that was overseeded with an endophyte-enhanced perennial ryegrass, to suppress billbug populations (Richmond et al, 2000). The researchers reported that this was an effective non-chemical strategy to manage and suppress billbugs.

Side note: Dr. Doug Richmond has an excellent fact sheet related to billbug management which can be found at the link that follows. https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/ publications/E-266/E-266.html

In closing, I wanted to offer a sincere THANK YOU to Dr. Brandenburg for his many contributions to the discipline of turf science and the betterment of humanity in many parts of the world.

References:

Reynolds, D.S., W.C. Reynolds and R.L. Brandenburg. 2016. Overwintering, oviposition, and larval survival of hunting billbugs (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and implications for adult damage in North Carolina turfgrass. J. Economic Entomology. 109: 240-248.

Richmond, D.S., H.D. Niemczyk and D.J. Shetlar. 2000. Overseeding endophytic perennial ryegrass into stands of Kentucky bluegrass to manage bluegrass billbug (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) J. Econ. Entomol. 93:16621668. doi:10.1603/0022-0493-93.6.1662.

Vittum, P. J., M. G. Villani, and H. Tashiro. 1999. Turfgrass insects of the United States and Canada, 2nd ed. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY

Figure 1. Overview of the bluegrass billbug adult.

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 Dr. Doug S. Richmond.

FORECAST 2025— A WELCOME ECONOMIC REBOUND

By Phillip M. Perry

Healthy economic growth will help bolster business profits in 2025.

Relief from crippling inflation and a reduction in interest rates will improve consumer sentiment, and infrastructure support from the federal government will strengthen the all-important manufacturing and construction sectors. While businesses will benefit from tax relief and a looser regulatory environment by the Trump administration, proposed tariffs may reignite inflation and increase the cost of goods sold.

Clearing skies with a chance of showers. Businesses can look forward to a gradually improving operating environment in 2025, thanks to lower interest rates, moderating inflation, and steady if unspectacular growth in the nation’s overall economic activity.

“We look for real GDP growth of 2.5 percent in 2025,” said Bernard Yaros Jr., Lead U.S. Economist at Oxford Economics (oxfordeconomics.com). (Gross Domestic Product, the total value of the nation’s goods and services, is the most commonly utilized measure of economic growth. “Real” GDP subtracts the effects of inflation).

The good news is that the 2.5 percent boost is not far off what economists peg as the nation’s “natural growth rate”— one that supports business activity and maintains full employment. And reduced volatility in the GDP growth pattern in recent years suggests the nation is on a glide path to a so-called “soft landing,” avoiding a recession after a lengthy inflationary binge. (See Sidebar 1 for figures.)

Despite its positive nature, the GDP figure for 2025 is slightly lower than the 2.7 percent anticipated when 2024 numbers are finally tallied. That’s because the nation is

in a so-called “late-stage expansion,” characterized by a tendency to slow down while maintaining sufficient force to invigorate commercial operations.

Fair Winds

In 2025, business owners can look forward to a decline in both interest rates and inflation—two bugbears that have drained profits in recent times. “We anticipate a federal funds interest rate of 2.75 percent by the end of 2025, down from a recent 4.75 percent,” said Yaros. “And we look for inflation to average 2.2 percent in the final quarter of 2025, which will be within spitting distance of the Fed’s 2 percent target.” That’s an improvement from the 2.5 percent inflation level toward the end of 2024. (These figures represent the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation: the “core personal consumption expenditure deflator [PCED]” which strips out volatile food and energy prices).

Relief from the costs of interest and inflation will help fatten the bottom lines of businesses everywhere. “We anticipate corporate profits will increase 9.6 percent in 2024 and 9.0 percent in 2025, up from their 6.9 percent gain in 2023,” said Yaros.

In 2025, business owners can look forward to a decline in both interest rates and inflation—two bugbears that have drained profits in recent times.

Reports from the field confirm the economists’ optimistic view. “Our members are looking forward to a growth year in 2025, largely from expectations that interest rates will decline,” said Tom Palisin, Executive Director of The Manufacturers' Association, a York, PA,-based consortium with nearly 500 member companies (mascpa.org). The change in fortunes can’t come soon enough, he added. “High interest rates have been putting constraints on many of our members who have been trying to maintain their financial margins, so relief in this area will be helpful.”

Healthy Employment

The economy does better when people are optimistic, since consumer spending accounts for a large portion of the nation’s business activity. While consumers remain troubled by the residual effects of inflation in the form of high prices for gas and groceries, they remain in a fairly good mood. “We look for consumer confidence to move slightly higher in 2025,” said Scott Hoyt, Senior Director of Consumer Economics for Moody’s Analytics (economy.com).

Why the optimism? Healthy employment levels. “We look for the unemployment rate to end 2025 at 4.2 percent and 2026 at 4.2 percent,” said Yaros. This is roughly in line with the 4.1 percent reported toward the end of 2024. (Many economists peg an unemployment rate of 3.5 percent to 4.5 percent as the “sweet spot” that balances the dual risks of inflationary wage escalation and economic recession.)

If favorable unemployment figures will encourage consumer spending, employers should also enjoy relief from the deleterious effects of the past year’s tight labor conditions. Indeed, a slowdown in the rate of hiring has already helped loosen the employment market. “Labor shortages are a thing of the past in most regions,” said Bill Conerly, Principal of his own consulting firm in Lake Oswego, Oregon (conerlyconsulting.com). “When companies want to hire, they're able to find the people they want, unless they're looking for something really unusual or if they're not willing to pay the required salary.” Editor’s note: Or, in the case of natural grass sod producers, the work will require some physical effort in an outdoor environment.

And speaking of salary: Softening employment growth has given workers less bargaining power, so employers are experiencing some much-needed relief from the rising trendline of worker wages. Entry-level hourly wage increases came to 3.7 percent in 2024 at Palisin’s member companies, markedly lower than the vigorous 8 percent to 10 percent levels clocked for each of the previous two years. (Historically, such increases have tended to settle in the 2.5 percent to 3.0 percent range).

National figures concur. “The Employment Cost Index (ECI) is slowing,” said Hoyt, referring to a common measure of average worker wages. “We are forecasting 2.8 percent growth in 2025, compared to 3.9 percent in 2024 and 4.5 percent in 2023.”

Despite the ongoing de-escalation in the ECI, Hoyt said it remains healthy enough to support consumer spending, as does the expected increase in the nation’s total personal income level, an important driver of business activity. Like the ECI, it is expected to follow a familiar 2025 trendline: a healthy increase despite de-escalation. “Mainly because of slower job growth, we have the increase in wage and salary income slowing to 4.7 percent in 2025, compared to our expectation of 6.6 percent for 2024, and 5.4 percent for 2023,” said Hoyt.

Maybe it’s a looser labor market, but employers are in no hurry to trim their employee rosters. “Employers want to maintain their ability to jump on the growth side once the economy rebounds a little,” said Hoyt. “So employment levels have held fairly steady.”

Many economists peg an

unemployment

rate of 3.5 percent to 4.5 percent as the “sweet spot” that balances the dual risks of inflationary wage escalation and economic recession.

Housing Rebounds

Economists expect healthy growth in housing activity, a mighty driver for the economy. “We forecast housing starts to increase by 6.2 percent in 2025, after falling by 4.7 percent in 2024 and declining 8.4 percent in 2023,” said Yaros.

Why the rebound? A decline in the cost of money and a concomitant loosening of credit standards. “Lower mortgage rates should help the single-family home market,” said Conerly. “It will be a little less painful for people with 3 percent or 4 percent mortgages to give them up, sell their current houses and move up.”

Lower interest rates should also re-invigorate commercial construction activity—a sector that has been underperforming. “The non-residential side has a kind of bad reputation right now, especially when people think of downtown office or downtown retail,” said Conerly. “But office and retail are doing okay in many suburban areas. And a lot of the retail sector has been under-built. People thought we were totally abandoning going to the store, and it turns out we're not.”

However, many areas of the country may continue to experience lackluster activity when it comes to multifamily residential, hotel, and office construction. A change in fortune will not happen overnight. “With lower interest rates, there'll be an easier time lining up project financing at acceptable cost,” said Anirban Basu, Chairman & CEO

of Sage Policy Group (sagepolicy.com). “But these things take time. We might see some softness in a meaningful fraction of contractors in 2025. And then perhaps things get a bit better in 2026 as these lower interest rates prompt more activity.”

One sector that will do well out of the gate: largescale infrastructure projects, computer chip and battery manufacturing plants, and data centers. “This is the era of the megaproject,” said Basu. “Future prospects are quite positive for contractors who are able to participate in major public works.” Much of this is driven by the re-emergence of industrial policymaking in America, an economic transformation that has led to programs such as the Inflation Reduction Act, the Chips and Science Act, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

All told, while economists expect lower interest rates to fuel a positive turn in business sentiment, they are hedging their bets for 2025. “We look for business investment to rise 4.1 percent in 2024 and 4.1 percent in 2025, compared to 6.0 percent in 2023,” said Yaros.

Supply Chains

Businesses in all sectors will benefit from a national commitment to reposition supply chains in the United States. “Logistical issues are persuading many CEOs to place production closer to final consumers,” said Basu. “There is also a trend toward favoring nations that provide significant protection for intellectual property.”

Relief from delivery disruptions can’t come soon enough for many operations. “Supply chain issues are still present,” said Palisin. “We are seeing shortages around semiconductor chips and some other technological products, as well as chemicals, equipment assemblies, and metal parts. That’s causing production delays and late deliveries.”

Palisin cites a number of causes for supply chain issues. Over the past year, the nation has lacked sufficient skilled workers to meet production demands. And in an environment of high interest rates and slowing growth, companies did not invest as much as required in new facilities. “As for the semiconductor situation specifically, there's this huge demand coming up against a shortfall in global supply,” said Palisin.

While the U.S. is committed to the reshoring of production, the task of increasing domestic manufacturing and delivery systems will take time. “We are not going to turn things around right away,” said Palisin.

The Road Ahead

The incoming Trump administration promises tax relief measures that should help bolster profits. Economists warn, however, that increased tariffs may reignite inflation and increase the cost of goods sold. They advise keeping a close watch on the following areas in the opening months of 2025:

# Interest rates

“Going forward, the major concern for businesses will be the pace of interest rate cuts and where they will end up,” said Yaros.

# Inflation

“If the consumer price index returns to positive territory, that could throw a monkey wrench into many business plans,” said Conerly.

# Tariffs

“Tariffs amount to price increases for our members who have to buy materials from abroad,” said Palisin.

# Geopolitics

“An increasing level of turmoil around the world can disrupt supply chains, increasing shipping costs,” said Conerly.

Concerning as these risks are, economists anticipate a fairly benign operating environment in 2025. “The U.S. economy has been remarkably resilient despite all the hits it’s taken over the past few years,” said Yaros. “We don’t anticipate a recession, as the Federal Reserve will be dialing back the restrictiveness of monetary policy, and there are no glaring imbalances in the economy.”

Prepare for a Soft Landing

Modest growth in the nation’s economy will support business profits in 2025.

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

2014: 2.5 percent

2015: 2.9 percent

2016: 1.8 percent

2017: 2.5 percent

2018: 3.0 percent

2019: 2.5 percent

2020: -2.2 percent

2021: 5.8 percent

2022: 1.9 percent

2023: 2.5 percent

*2024: 2.7 percent

* 2025: 2.5 percent

* 2026: 2.1 percent

Sources: World Bank; * = projections by Oxford Economics

On the Ag Side

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

While the U.S. always faces some degree of uncertainty in the wake of a change of administration with the election of a new President, the level has ramped up as Donald Trump prepares to retake the White House this January. The flurry of Cabinet and key department position selections raised questions for many. Though the majority of these appointments will require Senate confirmation, Trump’s transition team has floated possible routes to bypassing that confirmation. In addition, there’s the Elon Musk factor, as he and Vivek Ramaswamy, have been tasked with the purge of governmental bureaucracy as the co-leaders of a new entity called the Department of Government Efficiency. All this, along with the multiple repeated promises of pending action on “Day One,” has media sources agreeing on one thing—change will occur.

As this issue goes into the final review before printing, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have not yet agreed on a continuing resolution to fund government operations beyond the December 20, 2024, deadline.

Radio Iowa reported on December 13, 2024, that Congress was again at a deadlock about extending the Farm Bill. Neither the House nor the Senate brought a new Farm Bill up for a vote this year. Suppose congress fails to reauthorize the 2018 Farm Bill before the December 31, 2024, deadline when key farm programs expire. In that case, federal farm policies revert to laws passed eight decades ago which economists predict would create chaos in the farm markets.

Another issue rises to the top of concerns on the Ag Side. The U.S. could be headed for a possible trade war with China and other countries, with the institution of tariffs. In an opinion piece written for the Kansas Reflector, fifth-generation farmer and ag consultant Ben Palen wrote about agricultural competition worldwide. He stated, “Against this backdrop, one must ponder the question of how an isolationist foreign policy and the use of heavy tariffs could possibly lead to anything other than serious adverse consequences for our U.S. agricultural sector.”

An opinion piece in the Lincoln Journal Star addressed President-elect Donald Trump’s long-promised crackdown on illegal immigration with the largest mass

deportations in the country’s history, noting …plans have yet to be revealed. And it remains to be seen if they’ll survive legal challenges and be implemented. It further noted that, if mass deportations happen, they will damage businesses and undermine local economies, as well as create a humanitarian disaster.

As Jim Wiesemeyer wrote in www.thedailyscoop.com on November 12, 2024, the appointment of former New York congressman Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signals a potential shift in environmental policy and the regulatory approach. Wiesemeyer wrote that Trump stated that Zeldin would “ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions” to “unleash the power of American businesses.” The administration aims to maintain “the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet” while pursuing deregulation. For many farmers, the anticipated revision of what they see as excessive or ill-conceived regulations is cause for optimism.

In IrrigationToday.com on November 26, 2024, Luke Reynolds reported regulatory rollbacks, water infrastructure initiatives, and the fate of incentive programs are all on the table as the industry looks toward 2025. He further reported that Republicans’ gains in the Senate bring a shift in committee leadership that will significantly influence tax policy direction, particularly through the Senate Finance Committee, noting tax reform could impact the sector’s ability to invest and grow. The Irrigation Association (IA) anticipates renewed support for tax policies that benefit manufacturers and small businesses. Among the IA’s priorities are three key policies: full deductibility of research and development expenses, restoring a favorable standard for interest deductibility, and reinstating full expensing.

Several changes are anticipated in tax policy. The Trump 2017 tax cuts, due to expire at the end of 2025, will likely be renewed. The lifetime exemption figure, anticipated to reach almost $14 million in 2025, could be made permanent, good news for farmers facing estate taxes. The lower corporate tax rate now in effect will likely at least be extended and could be lowered. In addition, 100 percent bonus depreciation might be coming back for farmers so that major purchases such as equipment or buildings could be fully deductible in the year purchased.

Only time will tell how it all unfolds.

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 has appeared over 3,000 times in the nation’s business press, and he maintains a website at www.editorialcalendar.net

UPGRADE YOUR MARKETING STRATEGY FOR THE NEW YEAR

By Suz Trusty

The new year is an ideal time to look back at what your company accomplished in 2024 and explore your potential opportunities for 2025 and beyond to develop your marketing plan. Though it may be tempting to just follow the path you’ve developed in previous years, the marketing arena is continuously changing, and that change has accelerated with the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI). It’s more important than ever to develop a marketing strategy that is tailored to your company and to your existing and potential customer base.

Tell Your Story

Effective marketing has always been about telling your story—and your story is unique. Your customers and potential customers want to know who you are and what you do. Though many of those in sod production are family-owned businesses that have expanded into, or moved to, growing natural grass sod from traditional row crop or edible produce farming, livestock production, or dairy farming, why and how you got to that point is specific to your company. With continuing emphasis on “buy local,” your background story has the potential to resonate with your market base and strengthen your ties to your community.

Make it personal. Every great story has a cast of characters that people can relate to and come to care about. Customers want to have that same connection with the companies with which they do business. Consider why you buy from a specific supplier. You know who you are dealing with; you trust them to be open and honest with you; and you depend on them to deliver what they promise. Your story needs to deliver that message about your company.

Spread the word about the great product you offer. There are so many benefits of natural grass that extend to safety and health, the environment, the economy, and on the personal level, the emotions and quality of life. Amplify the #KeepItReal™ story.

Share your background. Why are you qualified to select, grow, maintain, harvest, and deliver that great product? Tout your educational background and the years of experience that have equipped you with the expertise to do what you do.

Tell them that you are a member of Turfgrass Producers International (TPI), an organization with members in almost every U.S. State and over 30 countries who produce natural grass seed and sod worldwide. Let them know TPI

is dedicated to promoting the global environmental benefits of natural grass through education and research. That shows your dedication to your profession and commitment to staying on the cutting edge of the research and technology related to producing the best possible product.

Share the qualifications of your staff members, too. Each person on your team brings unique abilities to the company and fills the role within the business that they are best equipped to perform. Let your customers know all your team members are ready and able to serve them.

With continuing emphasis on “buy local,” your background story has the potential to resonate with your market base and strengthen your ties to your community.

How you operate your business is part of your story, so if you’ve changed your operating procedures in any way, you need to communicate it. What steps do your customers need to take, and on what timeline, to place an order and receive it? Have your hours changed? Is your office open or are you only accepting phone and online orders? Have you gone to paperless transactions? What options do you offer potential customers to get your product: pickup, delivery, installation?

Once you’ve solidified the message, you need to determine who needs to learn about it. Many of you serve a broad range of customers, from homeowners and homeowner associations (HOAs), to landscape contractors, golf courses, sports fields, commercial properties and commercial property managers, schools and universities, governmental agencies, and more. The services you offer to each of those markets may vary, depending on the needs of those customers and potential customers and your company’s capacity to provide those services. While the basics of who you are and what you do remain the same, the way you tailor your story will vary based on the market segment that you want to reach.

Deliver Your Message Electronically

If you are not internet-connected with an interactive website and tapping into social media, your marketing is missing the mark.

In November, Statista reported, “As of October 2024, there were 5.52 billion internet users worldwide, which amounted to 67.5 percent of the global population. The internet continues to transform how we connect with others, organize the flow of Information, and share opinions. With its growing influence on individual consumers and large economies alike, the Internet has become a vital part of our day-to-day lives. Mobile internet has become increasingly widespread and popular over the past few years, as smartphones are more readily available and affordable than ever. As internet users gradually switch to mobile devices to browse the web on the go, mobile internet usage now accounts for almost 59 percent of total web traffic worldwide.” As the report further noted, “The expanded usage of the internet comes with many downsides, such as cyber threats and safety concerns. But on the other side of the spectrum are billions of individuals, whose habits and values are evolving alongside the digital transformation.” To access the full report, go to the link that follows. https://www.statista.com/statistics/617136/digitalpopulation-worldwide/

With its growing influence on individual consumers and large economies alike, the Internet has become a vital part of our day-to-day lives..

So, if you haven’t already, establish a user-friendly website as a platform to both tell your story and serve as an online sales team that is available 24/7. Few potential customers reach out to a potential new supplier without first checking out the company’s website. If you don’t have the expertise to develop and manage an interactive, highly functional website, hire someone who can do that for you, either as an employee or a contracted service provider.

Tell your story in an “About US,” or “Our History,” section on your website. Set up a section to introduce your team members, including their name, position, qualifications for that position, and if they will be interacting with your customers by phone or email, that contact information. Add a photo for each team member. While a simple headshot is adequate, take it a step further and show them “at work.”

Feature photos of the natural grass products that you offer, from straight varieties to mixes and blends. Give a closeup view of the grass type and include a photo or two of that product installed at a customer’s site. Before and after photos of projects are a great addition to the website. Take advantage of your TPI membership to tap into the resources available to you. Add the TPI logo and #KeepItReal™ to your website. Log into the TPI website www.TurfgrassSod.org and visit the Resources section to select the materials you’d like to download and add to your own website.

Go beyond the basic data to tap into the psychological and emotional benefits of natural grass. You have the inside track here. You’ve been supplying that therapy long before the media and consumers even knew it was therapy. How are your customers using their beautiful new lawns to counter anxiety, uncertainty, and stress, and to boost their mood in a peaceful and serene setting? Review some of your before and after photos of recent projects that may show an area created specifically as a haven for such purposes. Or maybe you have a message from one of your customers reporting how they are benefiting psychologically from their new lawn that they would be willing to share on your website.

How are they using those beautiful lawns as a family? Photos of families interacting in a game of croquet or cornhole would be great to share as examples of family activities on the lawn. So would those of family members playing catch, kicking around a soccer ball, or tossing a football. Other great family photos could be a toddler learning to walk on the soft and forgiving grass; or children interacting with their dog, cat, or bunny; or having a picnic or tea party on a blanket on the lawn.

Once your website is up, monitor it as frequently as necessary to effectively serve your market. For some of you, that may be daily; for others, it may be nearly constant throughout business hours. As with every aspect of your business, give it “whatever it takes” to get the job done.

Social Media Statistics - 2024 Data

In a posting updated in September 2024, Backlinko reported, Since its inception in 1996, social media has managed to infiltrate more than half of the 8.06 billion people in the world. Social network platforms almost tripled their total user base in the last decade, from 970 million in 2010 to the number passing 5.17 billion users in July 2024.

The spectacular year-on-year adoption of new users on the platforms is, however, slowing down. It now relies on the continuous growth in the number of people with internet access and smartphones, particularly in developing regions. So, how big is social media and how has it evolved today?

Backlinko’s Reported Social Media Usage Statistics (Top Picks)

• 5.17 billion people currently use social media worldwide, up more than double from 2.07 billion in 2015

• The average social media user engages with an average of 6.7 various social media platforms on a monthly basis

• 63.7 percent of the global population in the world uses social media, among audiences aged 18+ that’s as high as 86.1 percent

• Globally, the average time a person spends on social media a day is 2 hours 20 minutes

• Facebook is the leading social network with 3.07 billion monthly active users, followed by YouTube (2.5 billion), WhatsApp (2 billion), Instagram (2 billion), and TikTok (1.58 billion)

• 70.1 percent of the total U.S. population actively uses social media, totaling 239 million people

• In the US, 51.2 percent of social media users are female, while the remaining 48.8 percent are male, compared with a global average of 46.6 percent for female, and 53.4 percent for male.

70.1 percent of the total U.S. population actively uses social media, totaling 239 million people.

All social networks report growth data on the number of monthly active users (or MAUs) rather than the number of accounts, as this data is more accurate for measuring actual use and territory penetration.

The current percentage of people using social media is 63.7 percent of the world’s total population. However, when we look into platform penetration rates from people in eligible audiences, 94.9 percent of 5.45 billion global internet users and 91 percent of 5.68 billion mobile phone users are on social media. To check out all of the data Backlinko’s posting reported, go to the following link. https://backlinko. com/social-media-users

Determine which social media platforms are the best fit for your business and the most likely to appeal to your current customers and targeted potential customers. Then set up your business presence, or hire a qualified company or individual to do it for you. You may be pleasantly surprised to find one of your staff members is so proficient in computer skills that they are not only able to set up your accounts but also can handle postings and monitoring with minimal supervision.

Your online presence, from your website to any posting on social media, is a messenger of marketing for your business. If you contribute to the community in any visible way, share the news via your website and preferred social media platforms.

Constantly on Stage

Be aware of your company’s presence everywhere— physically as well as online. Customers and potential customers base their opinion of your company on what they observe at your farm and fields, in your office, and in your parking lot. They judge you by your trucks and equipment at your business, on the road, and at a job site. They judge you by the condition of your sod, in your fields, loaded for harvest, delivered, and installed at any job site.

Any person employed by, or working on behalf, of your company represents the company to those with whom that individual interacts. That extends to those within your office, those who answer your phones, those out in the field, your sales force, your truck drivers, and whoever delivers and/or installs your sod. It includes you and your family members both at work and out in the community. An off-duty employee, still wearing a company-issued shirt or jacket, represents your company.

Any person employed by, or working on behalf, of your company represents the company to those with whom that individual interacts.

In all your company interactions, set the standards, make sure everyone on your team understands the importance of those standards, and monitor to ensure they are being upheld. It’s your story; make sure it reflects you accurately. That’s effective marketing.

Suz Trusty is co-editor of Turf News

HAPPENINGS

Former TPI Trustee Leon Dahle Passes

Editor’s note: The following was excerpted from the obituary by the family in the Tribute Book at Leon’s Visitation (November 1, 2024) and Funeral Service (November 2, 2024).

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of former TPI Trustee Leon A. Dahle, age 82, of Morristown, Minnesota. He passed peacefully in the early morning hours of October 13, 2024.

Dad was born on August 4, 1942, the eldest son of Armin Dahle and Donna (Borchardt) Dahle of Morristown. Growing up on the farm outside of town, he was active in many outdoor activities, including the Boy Scouts of America, where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating from Morristown High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving as a sonarman on the USS Randolph. While serving on the Randolph, he was a witness to and an active participant in the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Mercury Space program, helping to retrieve the Mercury Astronauts upon their return from space. After leaving active duty, he continued his service to his country in the Naval Reserve as an Intelligence Officer until his retirement as a Commander in 1995.

When he returned home from his active-duty military service, he began a course of study at Rochester Junior College, completing his teaching degree at Mankato State University. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Shirley Marie Geisler, daughter of Robert and Darlene Geisler of Silver Bay. They were united in marriage on April 12, 1969.

Leon and Shirley founded Dahle Sod Farms in 1969, a business that continues to provide the best turfgrass in southern Minnesota. Leon took great pride in his attention to detail and making the Earth greener one yard at a time, regarding his vocation as “cultivating the skin of the Earth.”

Never one to shirk a task, Dad thrived on service to others. Whether it was the American Legion, the Boy Scouts, coaching Youth Marksmanship, the Riverside Cemetery board, the Bethlehem Lutheran Church council, Turfgrass Producers International, or any of a host of other organizations, if something needed to be done, Leon didn’t hesitate to step forward to volunteer.

When he had time to spare, he enjoyed flying his Aeronca Chief, canoeing the Cannon River with his dog, tending a fire in the company of friends and family, and dancing to a good Polka. Leon was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Larry and nephew Jeff, and is survived by his wife Shirley, his sons Nathan (Heather,) Tim (Katie,) Chris (Teya,) and Brian (Shawna,) his siblings Lonnie and Linda, and his grandchildren Victoria, Hanna, Wren, Quinn, Josiah, Noah, and Skyler, all of whom he was very proud.

Leon had a positive impact on his family and his community, and he will be missed.

Memorial services were held on November 2, 2024, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Morristown. Interment and military rites provided by American Legion Post #149, Morristown, at Riverside Cemetery, Morristown.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Morristown, The American Legion Post 149 Scouting program, or donor’s choice.

New Sod Solutions Professionals Website Launched

On November 21, 2024, TPI Member Sod Solutions announced the launch of the updated Sod Solutions Professionals website noting it is designed to better serve the needs of its turfgrass customers. From golf courses to sports fields and parks, Sod Solutions Professionals is a trusted partner for selecting the right turfgrass for long-term success. Check out the new website at the link that follows. https://sodsolutionspro.com/

The email also highlighted Turf Talk, a monthly newsletter that delivers engaging and relevant industry news straight to your inbox. If you’ve missed recent Turf Talk blogs, you can read all the past articles online.

One of the articles featured in the announcement was “Meet Casey Reynolds: Leading Turfgrass Innovation with TPI.”

This caption ran under a photo of Casey, “As the Executive Director of Turfgrass Producers International, Dr. Reynolds offers a global perspective on turfgrass advancements and market trends.” To read the full article, written by Cecilia Johnson, visit https://sodsolutionspro.com/meet-casey-reynolds-leading-turfgrassinnovation-with-turfgrass-producers-international/.

New Children’s Book by Jim Novak Published

A new book "Upside Down and Backwards - A Book for Children" is now available on Amazon. You are reading this in Happenings because, if you’ve been around TPI a while you know the author/ illustrator, Jim Novak. The book is composed of 36 original poems and illustrations written and drawn by Jim. He says, “It's intended for children and the child in all of us.” Jim is the former communications manager of Turfgrass Producers International and is well-known by many TPI members who will recognize his whimsical creativity in this book.

It is available on Amazon in both hardcover and paperback. Amazon states, "Upside Down and Backwards - A Book for Children" is a delightful collection of lighthearted, whimsical, and motivational poems and illustrations created especially for youngsters and the young at heart. Inspirational and sometimes thought-provoking, the collection also includes an assortment of humorous poems that are sure to make youngsters and adults smile.

HAPPENINGS

George Beck of Beck Sod Farm Passes

In an email on November 7, 2024, TPI wrote, It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of former TPI member George Beck of Beck Sod Farm.

The large life of George Roy Beck of Palms ended peacefully on November 2, 2024. He was born on March 18, 1943, in St. Johns, Michigan, the fourth of four boys born to Gaylord and Necia Beck. He met his love, Lois Huggett, at a dance at St. Johns High School and they were married December 30, 1962. The couple moved to the Palms area to farm in 1963 and raised their family at the intersection of two dead end roads. Growing sod, trees, and mint became the family business as they were joined by four children: Sandy, Doug, David and Sheila. George was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who was always available to help family and friends. He had great pride in his kids and grandkids and everything he did, he did for them. George would talk to anyone and made friends wherever he went. He loved spending time with these friends and his family. Hunting and snowmobiling with nephews, working at home and for others, and especially fishing kept him active and happy. On the family sod farm, he employed many over the decades who were taught his work ethic as they rolled and tossed sod onto pallets. His final years were spent fishing most every day, both in Michigan and Okeechobee, FL, with his loving companion, Jeanette Schultz. George was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lois Huggett Beck, in 2001, his parents and his daughter, Sandy Beck Grifka (Lee) of Bradenton, Florida, in 2021; son-inlaw, Lee Grifka of Deckerville in 2008; brothers Ben and Jim; inlaws Jim and Edna Huggett; and in-laws Mary and Carl Barnes. He is survived by his companion, Jeanette; sons Doug Beck (Sandi) of Aurora, Oregon, and David Beck (Allison) of Palms; daughter Sheila Beck VanNorman (Jeremy) of Deckerville, along with nine grandchildren and one great granddaughter; brother Dan Beck (Jeanette) of St. Johns; sister-in-law Barbara Beck of St. Johns; brother-in-law Wallace Huggett (Sharon) of Marlette, as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews. The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Autumnwood of Deckerville and Compassus Hospice of Cass City. Honoring George’s wishes, no services will be held at this time. Memorials may be given to the charity of your choice. Please share condolences and memories with the family online at apseyfuneralhome.net

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of George R. Beck, please visit our floral store.

2023 Irrigation and Water Management Data Now Available

There were 212,714 farms with 53.1 million irrigated acres, which included 81 million acre-feet of water applied in the United States, according to the 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey results, published October 31, 2024, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). In 2018, the irrigation survey results showed that there were 231,474 farms with 55.9 million irrigated acres,

which included 83.4 million acre-feet of water. The results show that the number of farms irrigating, the amount of land irrigated, and the total water used for irrigation decreased between 2018 and 2023. The Irrigation and Water Management Survey is conducted every five years.

“The 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey expands on the data collected in the 2022 Census of Agriculture,” said NASS Administrator Joseph L. Parsons. “This report offers detailed, comprehensive, up-to-date information specific to the agriculture industry’s use, management, and investment of water supplies and irrigation systems.”

The 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey followed up with approximately 35,000 producers who indicated in the 2022 Census of Agriculture that they irrigated or had irrigation equipment. Producers provided information on water sources and amount of water used; acres irrigated by type of system; irrigation use by crop, and system investments and energy costs.

To access the results of the 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey, visit www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus or view in NASS’s online Quick Stats database.

NASS is the federal statistical agency responsible for producing official data about U.S. agriculture and is committed to providing timely, accurate, and useful statistics in service to U.S. agriculture.

NALP Announces Eight New Business Management Courses

The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) announced in an October 24, 2024, press release that it has launched a series of Landscape Business Management Certificate Courses, now available through the NALP Learning Hub. These comprehensive courses are designed to equip landscape business owners, managers, and their teams with the critical skills and knowledge necessary to grow successful landscape businesses. With a focus on real-world application, the new certificate courses, designed by landscape industry experts, cover essential business areas such as finance, operations, human resources, strategic planning, and more.

“Growing landscape companies need strong leadership and effective management to ensure long-term success,” said Britt Wood, CEO of NALP. “Our new Landscape Business Management Certificate Courses offer a valuable opportunity for professionals to gain the skills and confidence they need to elevate their businesses.”

Participants can take any of the certificate courses individually, or earn the Business Leadership Certificate (by taking all eight courses); the Human Resources Professional Certificate, or the Operations Professional Certificate.

Individual courses include: Contract Law & Risk Management, Corporate Finance, Exterior Production & Operations, Human Resource Management, Leveraging Technology, Management, Leadership & Corporate Culture, Sales & Marketing, and Strategic Planning.

The NALP Learning Hub offers a flexible, on-demand learning experience, allowing participants to study anytime, anywhere.

To learn more and explore the full range of courses including training for technicians, and to browse the full suite of training publications visit the NALP Learning Hub at the link that follows. https://www.landscapeprofessionals.org/learninghub

Learn About the Many Benefits of a TPI Membership

• Turf News magazine

•TPI e-newsletter

•Pest Control Guide ( )

•Members Only Toolkit

•Brochures for your customers that can be personalized with your logo

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

Turf News

•Worldwide support of growers and industry suppliers

•Annual printed membership directory

•Access to TGIF (Turfgrass Information Files)

•Networking opportunities ...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.

TURFGRASS INDUSTRY NEWS

Sod

Checkoff Program Update

The U.S. Sod Checkoff program Referendum Period is open from January 13th to February 11th, 2025. Any U.S. sod producer who grew natural grass in 2024 is eligible to vote on this proposed program. Ballots have been mailed to all known sod producers, and anyone who does not receive a ballot can request one by emailing Maribel.Reyna@usda.gov. Ballots must be received before 5 pm on February 11th. See pages 46-48 of this issue, contact the TPI office at 800-405-8873, or go to the following link for more information. https://turfgrasssod.org/ natural-grass-sod-checkoff-voting-opens-in-january/.

Seed Research of Oregon Transitions to Seed Research by DLF

An October 23, 2024, press release announced that the Seed Research of Oregon® brand has officially transitioned to Seed Research by DLF™. This strategic change is part of a broader initiative by DLF to unify its brand presence across North America. The shorter name, Seed Research, is already widely recognized among turf industry professionals, and the endorsement of DLF connects the popular brand to the global leader in turf and forage seed. Key elements of the transition include: Retaining the brand identity: While the name is evolving, the brand will maintain a key visual element—its iconic red color—in the new logo to ensure that existing customers recognize the brand. Enhanced packaging and marketing assets: Updated packaging and marketing materials will help elevate the high-quality products included in the Seed Research by DLF portfolio. These enhancements are designed to provide greater value and support to sales efforts, making it easier for the brand’s distributors to connect with their customers.

Seamless access to information: As part of the transition, all product information and resources will be made available on DLF’s new website, which is scheduled to be unveiled this fall. DLF is the global market leader in turf and forage seed, supplying seeds to more than 100 countries. The company is owned by Danish seed farmers and has a complete supply chain within turf and forage seed, sugar and fodder beet seed, seed potatoes, and multiplication of vegetable seed. For more information on DLF’s North American business, visit www.dlfna.com.

MVP Genetics and Bethel Farms Align to Launch New Turfgrass Cultivars

In a November 15, 2024, press release, Bethel Farms, LLLP announced its alignment with MVP Genetics, a pioneer in high-performance vegetative turfgrass cultivars based in Salem, Oregon. This collaboration marks the launch of two cuttingedge turfgrass cultivars, Gateway Zoysia and Durban Seashore Paspalum, with plans to introduce additional innovative grasses in the future through Bethel’s extensive networks. This alignment merges MVP Genetics’ leading turfgrass research and breeding expertise with Bethel Farms’ 65-year legacy of sod cultivation, distribution, and market development. Bethel Farms will manage the exclusive sub-licensing of MVP’s cultivars within its networks, while MVP Genetics will provide robust support to ensure the success and growth of this collaboration. Future efforts will include partnerships with leading land-grant universities to expand research and advance the development of turfgrasses tailored to the evolving needs of

sod production and landscaping.

Adam Russell, Vice President of MVP Genetics, stated, "This partnership with Bethel Farms is a major milestone in our purpose to deliver products that build health and enjoyment in all people through the planting of natural grass. Without exception, we look to partner with great people first, and the team at Bethel has a deep history of farming combined with an outstanding set of farms, production, and research-focused sales teams.”

The initial launch of Gateway Zoysia and Durban Seashore Paspalum underscores the shared commitment of Bethel Farms and MVP Genetics to deliver innovative solutions to the turfgrass market. These cultivars are designed to meet the demand for environmentally sustainable, durable, and visually appealing grasses, ideal for a range of applications.

“This partnership represents the collaboration of two like-minded teams dedicated to advancing the industry with innovative turfgrass solutions. We are excited about the impact this alliance will have for years to come and beyond.” -Will Nugent

Super-Sod® Expands to Texas by Uniting with Tri-Tex Grass

In a November 26, 2024, press release Super-Sod®, a leader in premium sod and turfgrass products, proudly announced they have joined forces with Tri-Tex Grass, a prominent turfgrass grower headquartered in Granbury, Texas. This strategic partnership aligns with Super-Sod's commitment to delivering high-quality turf solutions and expanding its footprint across the Southern United States.

Founded in 2004, Tri-Tex Grass has established a reputation for excellence in customer service and turfgrass production, serving North and Central Texas. With over 1,500 acres of sod across multiple farms, Tri-Tex offers a range of grass varieties that align with Super-Sod’s offerings, including Zeon® Zoysia, Certified Tifway 419 Bermuda, and the drought-tolerant TifTuf ® Bermuda.

This partnership expands Super-Sod’s distribution capabilities to serve customers in Texas and neighboring regions. The new collaboration allows the Tri-Tex team to utilize the synergies between the two companies, which will most benefit their customers. Existing Tri-Tex Grass stores and farms will continue under the Super-Sod brand. Customers can expect a seamless transition with continued access to the high-quality products and services they have come to trust. The acquisition of Tri-Tex Grass marks a significant step in Super-Sod's growth strategy, opening new opportunities for customers and the combined teams. Super-Sod is a vertically integrated turfgrass and compost company with farms and retail locations throughout Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and now Texas. They sell lawn care products and specialize in sod that’s available by the individual roll, full pallet, or bulk truckload.

The ScottsMiracle-Gro Company Newest TWCA Member

In an October 30, 2024, press release the Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA) welcomed its newest seed producer member, The ScottsMiracle-Gro Company. The newest of five fully independent producer members, ScottsMiracle-Gro brings a unique, retail-oriented perspective to the TWCA board. Acquisitions in 2021 now give

TURFGRASS INDUSTRY NEWS

ScottsMiracle-Gro a production advantage with qualified cultivars already in hand.

ScottsMiracle-Gro membership ushers in Western State Government Affairs Manager, Michael Diamond, to the TWCA Board of Directors. A seasoned government affairs operator, Mike is a welcome voice in the chorus of board discussion. Diamond states, “Water conservation is the single most important challenge facing the lawn and landscape sector today.” Before continuing, “Scotts believes a combination of good genetics and appropriate maintenance enables consumers and communities to conserve water while keeping beneficial living landscapes.”

In early 2021, ScottsMiracle-Gro acquired the turfgrass division of then-TWCA member, Columbia Seeds LLC (Columbia). Part of a broader trend toward consolidation across the Willamette Valley, it produced unanticipated effects. Most immediately, Columbia, without a turfgrass division, ceded its TWCA membership. Another, less immediate effect, was the acquisition of TWCA Qualified cultivars. Thunderstruck, a tall fescue from the Columbia Seeds program qualified in the 2020 TWCA tall fescue trial, 20WCFA.

ScottsMiracle-Gro brings TWCA near the infrastructural limit of cool-season trialing capacity at 83 percent. “The trialing infrastructure can accommodate six members at full capacity,” notes TWCA Executive Director, Jack Karlin. “After that capacity is reached, we will have to temporarily cap cool-season producer members.” TWCA capacity limits are based on the physical limitations of trialing infrastructure and the entries per member. TWCA is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to water conservation and committed to preserving the environmental benefits of turfgrass in the managed environment. Internationally recognized as the definitive mark of drought-tolerant turfgrass, TWCA qualification anchors new construction requirements, conservation programs, and professional certifications.

TWCA Supports Three Research Projects

The Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA) supports turfgrass research across the industry. This year TWCA submitted letters of support for three (3) research projects beyond their program. These projects, submitted by Dr. Carr, Dr. Chandra, and Dr. Xiang, include new technologies, new cultivars, and new ways of valuing turfgrass playing fields in our communities. Each project offers exceptional value and incredible insights into the future of turfgrass.

MSU Researcher Receives Grant to Develop Efficient Irrigation Technology Using Solar Power

In a press release issued October 14, 2024, Michigan State University (MSU) AgBioResearch announced an MSU researcher has received a $394,600 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service to develop a solar power-based irrigation technology that improves energy- and water-use efficiency. Younsuk Dong, an assistant professor in the MSU Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, leads the three-year project. (dongyoun@msu.edu)

Agriculture is responsible for more than 80 percent of all water consumption in the U.S., according to USDA’s Economic

Research Service. A report from the U.S. Geological Survey indicates that irrigation alone accounts for roughly 42 percent of water use.

Dong said that while irrigation is an essential tool, it must be deployed efficiently. Over-irrigation, in particular, can cause a multitude of unintended consequences, such as unneeded expenses on energy and water, as well as increasing disease activity. According to the Michigan Farm Energy Audit Program, irrigation operations consume 95 percent of the electricity used on an irrigated Michigan farm. USDA’s 2019 Census of Agriculture showed that energy expenses for irrigation pumps exceeded $2.4 billion.

To make farming more sustainable for growers and the environment, an increased emphasis has been placed on research generating technologies that save on input costs and resource use. Dong said, “About 85 percent of Michigan farms are on singlephase electrical networks, which limit the size of motors you can have connected to the network. Irrigation requires large motors, so if we can make these motors more efficient and reduce stress on the grid, we can increase sustainability of the operations.”

To read the full article go to the News section of the MSU AbBioResearch website.

About: Michigan State University AgBioResearch scientists discover dynamic solutions for food systems and the environment. More than 300 MSU faculty conduct leadingedge research on a variety of topics, from health and climate to agriculture and natural resources. MSU AgBioResearch oversees numerous on-campus research facilities, as well as 15 outlying centers throughout Michigan. To learn more, visit agbioresearch.msu.edu

Supplemental H-2B visas released by DHS

The following was published in Irrigation & Lighting Today November 25, 2024 – Edited by Luke Reynolds

The Department of Homeland Security has announced nearly 65,000 additional H-2B visas for FY 2025, supplementing the 66,000 visas already available each year.

The Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Department of Labor, announced the release of an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for Fiscal Year 2025. These visas are supplemental to the 66,000 visas already mandated by Congress; matching allocations made in previous years.

The H-2B visa program supports American industries with seasonal labor shortages, including landscaping, hospitality, and seafood processing. The additional visas aim to provide businesses with the workforce needed to meet seasonal demands while maintaining strong protections for both U.S. and foreign workers.

The additional visas include allocations specifically designed to address labor needs and support regional partnerships. Of the supplemental visas, 20,000 are designated for workers from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, or Costa Rica. The remaining 44,716 visas will be available for returning workers who held H-2B status in the last three fiscal years.

To safeguard U.S. workers, employers utilizing the H-2B program must demonstrate that no qualified American workers are available for the roles and that hiring foreign labor will not adversely affect wages or working conditions, according to DHS.

THREE MONTH CLIMATE PREDICTIONS

Have one of our technicians perform an assessment of your machine! After the assessment, the machine will come to our factory for work to be performed & returned to you when complete. We are helping ensure the machine is up-to-date & continues to operate properly for years ahead! Our Tech Services now offer on-site preventative maintenance. Get your harvesters ready for the next season & limit down-time! Visit Trebro.com/used-equipment to view listings or contact us for more information!

GLOBAL WEATHER ANOMALY MAPS FROM COPERNICUS

Early Spring Green-Up Faster Than Other Bermudas

Wear Tolerance to Heal Fast from Divots & Foot Traffic

Lower Water Usage Real Drought Resistance

Shade Tolerance Improved Over Other Bermudas

Exceptional Cold Hardiness for the Northern Transition Zone

Pro-Level Density for Golf Courses & Sports Fields

Adaptable to Varied Soils & Climates

WEATHER WATCH

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (http://www.bom.gov.au) is Australia's national weather, climate, and water agency. Its expertise and services assist Australians in dealing with the harsh realities of their natural environment, including drought, floods, fires, storms, tsunamis, and tropical cyclones. BOM provides regular forecasts, warnings, monitoring, and advice spanning the Australian region and Antarctic territory. It contributes to national social, economic, cultural, and environmental goals by providing observational, meteorological, hydrological, and oceanographic services and by its ongoing research.

The national seasonal median precipitation forecast map above is just one example of the predictive weather-related tools available. As the website states, these maps display automated forecasts from computer models. They may differ from the Bureau's official forecasts including BOM MetEye (your eye on the environment), text forecasts, and the BOM Weather app which consider other sources of information and are fine-tuned by meteorologists. The BOM Weather App provides access to hourly and seven-day forecasts, radar data, and weather warnings.

CLASSIFIED ADS

SOLD

FOR SALE: 2011 Brouwer RoboMax JD Automatic Sod Harvester. 4668 machine hours, Mounted on 2010 JD tractor 5856 hours. Harvester & tractor are field ready and operated in November 2024. 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. Asking Price:$89,900.00 USD OBO. Hands on Training available through Brouwer dealership. For more info contact Mark Henson at 229-314-1260.

FOR SALE: 2013 Trebro AutoStack 2. 1 owner, 6200 hours, well maintained, all updates, selling because purchased new. Contact Adam Myers 812-525-8261.

FOR SALE: 2017 TREBRO AutoStack II. 5815 hours.

$240,000. Selling due to arrival of new AutoStack 3. Excellent machine cutting very good pallets every day. Thorough rebuild in Spring 2024 and routine maintenance throughout the season. More pictures and maintenance records available at www.saratogasod.com/equipment-forsale/. Location: Stillwater, NY. Call or text Steve at 518-2650161 or email steve@saratogasod.com.

FOR SALE: 2017 TREBRO TSR 112. Flotation Tires, 4365 Engine hours, 907 Cutter head hours, well maintained. Primary harvester for 2024 season.Replaced and updated entire stacker head in 2023.Everything runs as it should. Many replacement parts. Available December 1st . Upgrading equipment.

Location: Western NY. $199,000. Contact: Christian Yunker at christian@cyfarms.com.

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

SOLD

FOR SALE: McDowell Irrigation Pipe, 53 pieces of 6-inch pipe and 15 pieces of 4-inch pipe with sprinklers. $50 per 6-inch pipe, $40 per 4-inch pipe. Location: Cincinnati, OH. Contact: TurpinFarms@gmail.com.

FOR SALE: 2023 Firefly R300. 1431 hours. Hours will increase slightly as we are still using it. Excellent condition, everything works, cuts perfectly. Will include our extra stock parts. $285k OBO - Located in Centreville, Maryland. This is a very good machine; we are only selling it because we are looking to standardize our equipment and the dual head machines work better for how we operate. This machine does have some advantages, but it is tough to stock all the parts, technical knowledge, and train operators for multiple types of machines. Call Jack at 410-827-5000 or jack@ centralsodmd.com.

FOR SALE: Brand new Sprigger’s Choice 52” Sod-Sprigs Planter. It has never been used and has been stored indoors since received in June. This implement was delayed in production, and we had already finished our sprigging with a rented Fairway Sprigger. Price: $29,900.00. Located in Shreveport, LA. Contact: Hunter Lawler 318-470-9338.

FOR SALE: 2020 Brouwer 4000 - 1809 hours. Clean, low hour machine. Primary harvester on this cool season farm through the 2024 season, barn stored, fully serviced each offseason. More photos can be viewed at https:// photos.app.goo.gl/nbVdezCEwNh7k2Ja6. Call or message Simon Hilarides at 616-307-6129 or simon.hilarides@ fireflyautomatix.com.

SOLD

FOR SALE: Vibratory roller, heavy duty with a Deutz motor. $1000 or best offer. Location: Cincinnati, OH. Contact: TurpinFarms@gmail.com.

FOR SALE: 2018 Trimax Pegasus Series 4- 610 Roller Mower. Excellent condition with QuikLIFT system and wide turf tires. Very low hours, with new blades. $30,000. Location: Cincinnati, OH. Contact: TurpinFarms@gmail.com.

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: 40-days prior to Turf News issue date (e.g., March/April Turf News issue, ad is due by 1/20/2025).

Send to Allie Roed via email: ARoed@TurfgrassSod.org

All classified ads are subject to review; TPI does not endorse any ad and reserves the right to edit or decline any ad.

AD INDEX FOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY

WELCOME NEW & RETURNING MEMBERS

Hunter Lawler

Lawler Turf, LLC

7991 Grimm Rd

Shreveport, LA 71107-3469

318-470-9338

hunter@lawleroffice.com

Bradley James Burgess

Sports Turf Solutions Pte Ltd 294,294/1 Jareonpattana Rd, Bangchan, Klongsamwa, Bangkok Bangchan, 10510, Thailand +66 2-540-3180 brad@sportsturfsolutions.com

Jody Nixon

Escondido Farms LLC 2178 Vaness Rd Poteet, TX 78065 210-409-5489

ap@escondidoturf.com

Evan Huckaby Kassbohrer All Terrain Vehicles, Inc. 8850 Double Diamond Parkway Reno, NV 89521 775-857-5000

Evan.Huckaby@beach-tech.com

Boston Brown

Quality Turf Farms P.O. Box 321 West Columbia,TX 77486 979-345-6490

Bostonb@qualityturf.com

James Youngblood Atlanta Sod Farms 1571 Riverwalk Road Bishop, GA 30621 706-343-7627 atlantasodfarms@yahoo.com

Andrew Holloway Quantico Creek Sod Farms, Inc. 27616 Little Lane Salisbury, MD 21801 443-397-3084 office@qcsod.com

Robert Fischer Turpin Farms 3295 TURPIN LN Cincinnati, OH45244 513-561-2621 turpinfarms@gmail.com

Ryan Holdmeyer River Bluff Farm, Inc. 7240 Bluff Road Washington, MO 63090 636-221-2447 ryanholdmeyer@gmail.com

Andrew S Watkins

Sunbelt Turf Farms 1044 Oostanaula Bend Road

Calhoun, GA 30701 770-318-1054

drew@sunbeltturffarms.com

Drew Veazey

Superior Turf 2777 GA HWY 107 Ashburn, GA 31714 229-567-4444

superioroffice@surfsouth.com

Chris Kamberg

TriYield PO BOX 1127 Arcadia, FL 34265 863-244-3140

chris@triyield.com

TURFGRASS INDUSTRY CALENDAR

Editor’s note: The following information was up to date as of November 30, 2024. Please check the websites listed for the most current information as you do your planning.

2025

JANUARY

January 12-16

Sports Field Management Association Conference

Palm Springs, CA

https://www.sportsfieldmanagement.org/conference/

January 15

NC Sod Producers Association Winter Conference Greensboro, NC

https://www.ncsod.org

January 20-21

Turfgrass Producers of Texas Winter Conference Bay City, TX

https://www.texasgrass.com/events/

FEBRUARY

February 1-6

Golf Industry Show (GIS)

San Diego, CA

https://gcsaaconference.com

February 9-13

TPI International Education Conference & Field Day

San Antonio, TX

https://www.TurfgrassSod.org/ events/

February 19-20

Ontario Turfgrass Symposium

Guelph, Ontario, Canada

https://guelphturfgrass.ca/turfsymposium

MARCH

March 6-7

Turfgrass Producers of Florida’s Growing Better 2025 (TPF) Quail Creek in Okeechobee, FL floridaturf.com/events

JUNE

June 7-11

ASTA Leadership Summit Washington, DC https://www.betterseed.org/events/asta-events/

JULY

July 12-16

ITRC International Turfgrass Research & Conference 2025 Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan https://itrc2025.turfsociety.com

July 20-22

Texas Turfgrass Association Summer Conference Bastrop, TX

https://texasturf.com or email info@texasturf.com

DECEMBER

December 9-10

Texas Turfgrass Association Winter Conference Denton, TX

https://texasturf.com or email info@texasturf.com

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.