and symposiums. Tey encouraged the development of sod production and sod producers as a separate and vital part of the overall turfgrass industry.”
With law school completed and one business running smoothly, Arthur’s entrepreneurial spirit kicked in again. In 1975, he became founder and president of Milberger Turf Sales in Houston, TX. In 1976, he joined Milberger Turf Farms, Inc., in Bay City, as a partner, making it an “official” family business. Sue took over Marketing for the Milberger Companies while finishing up her Masters Degree in Special Education from University of Houston.
Around 1978, Arthur connected with another long-time friend, David Doguet, 1997-1998 TPI President. “David got his start researching and experimenting with different turfgrasses in his early days in the industry working with FJ at our Farms. David continued expanding on that research through his highly successful Bladerunner Farms breeding operations in Poteet, TX. He also helped me with the buy out of Crenshaw Turfgrass, and then Elsberry Greenhouses. Tey had the most success in pursuing grass plug tray sales though mass merchandisers, which paved our future into the big box stores.”
In both the sod production and retail nursery companies, business dwindles after the spring rush. Arthur wanted diversification to fill the gap from June to September. So, in 1978, he decided to explore the golf and sports turf business. He says, “We’d been growing sprigs and sod for golf courses since 1956 and delivering it to them, but we’d not tackled the installation or custom growing. When I expressed interest in getting into that side of the business, TPI members Bill and Jim Roquemore and Ben Copeland of Patten Seed Co./Super Sod invited me to Georgia to look at custom-made sprigging equipment. Teir willingness to share at that level propelled us into another income source, again all connected by TPI turfgrass growers.”
to blend business, association involvement, friendships and family—and have fun doing it. And, as their family grew, their three girls fit right in and became team players, too.
Giving Back Arthur felt it was important to give back to the industry through service to the associations that support and connect the members. He focused on serving in the Texas turf-related associations prior to taking a leadership role at the national level. He started serving on the College of Agriculture Development Council for Texas A&M in 1984, a position he still holds. His stint with the Turf Producers of Texas began with a Board position in 1988 and continued through the President and then Past President slots, ending in 1992. He followed the same path with the Texas Turfgrass Association beginning in 1992 and ending in 1996. He first joined the Board of Trustees of Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) in 1998 and moved through the ranks to serve as President for 2006-2007 and Past President in 2007-2008, a span of ten years. He also served on the Board of Directors of Te Lawn Institute (TLI) in 2000. In addition, he is a Past President and Board member for various Growers Associations under the University of Georgia Research Foundation: the TifEagle Growers Association from 1998 through 2008; and the Seashore Paspalum Growers Association and TifSport Growers Association from 2002 through 2004. Many of these positions entail up to 8 meetings a year, including the Conferences and Conventions, plus hours of additional work in preparation and follow-up. Tough the commitment is great, Arthur says, “It has certainly repaid countless dividends over the years. Te opportunity to meet, work with and develop friendships with these wonderful people is incredible—and I don’t think that ever ends.” “You can get your foot in the door with grass,” Arthur says with a chuckle. “We worked on the sod and landscaping for the Crawford, TX, ranch of U.S. President George W. Bush. He appointed me to a Board position on the Lower Colorado River Association (LCRA) where I served from 1998 through 2004. While I was Water Committee Chair at LCRA, I oversaw the purchase of the last large remaining water rights on the Lower Colorado River from private land owners, thereby securing future water needs and availability for the Colorado River basin, 140,000 acre-feet of water. My Board oversaw development of three Eco-Tourism Parks in Texas, including Matagorda Bay Nature Park in Matagorda County. In addition, I’ve been a member of the Tributary League for the preservation of the Colorado River since 2008.”
This is the harvester developed by FJ Milberger.
Arthur and FJ started attending ASPA Conventions in the 1970s and his networking opportunities expanded on both the national and international levels. Tat didn’t lessen his concentration in his Texas businesses and the associations related to them. He and Sue, always a team, found a way
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Arthur and Sue established the Sequor Foundation in 1996. He is currently president and she is vice-president. Sequor funded the Texas A&M Endowed Chair for Children-at- Risk in the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department under the College of Agriculture. Te Milbergers recently funded another ten-year project, the Youth Development
TPI Turf News January/February 2017
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