with options to view the sights of New York City or take in a Broadway show.

Te Lain Family and their staff at Pine Island Turf Nursery, Inc., Pine Island, New York, hosted the Field Day. Demonstrations drew crowds, as did the static displays. Side tours visited DeBuck’s Sod Farms of New York, Inc., Pine Island, New York, and the A. Gurda Produce Company. Claus Zander, Zander Sod Co., Ltd., Kettleby, Ontario, Canada was elected TPI 2010-2011 President. Stimulating educational sessions included a presentation by Cornell University extension turfgrass specialist Dr. Frank Rossi and his challenge to the industry to conduct its own SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Treats) analysis.

that focus with a multi-faceted program on “Passing the Family Torch.” Dynamic educational sessions included presentations on agricultural economic indicators, conserving water with drought-tolerant turfgrass varieties, precision ag technology incorporating GPS, ideas for reducing turfgrass maintenance, and multi-cropping for generating cash flow, along with two Show & Tells and the Roundtable Forum lunch. Te banquet was held at Disney’s EPCOT. Te Hall family and general manager Dave Dymond welcomed attendees to the tour of H&H Sod Co., Inc., in Kenansville, FL.

Mickey Mouse is everywhere at a Disney property.

Te Vikings have landed in Hawaii. From left to right: Johnny Trandem, Tomas Rasmussen and Jakob Arsvold.

In 2010, TPI launched the Turfgrass Forum, a “Members Only” feature on the TPI website, to serve as an online discussion platform allowing turfgrass producers, industry suppliers, manufacturers and educators the means to exchange ideas, find assistance, raise questions and discuss important issues. TPI’s Business Management newsletter evolved from a hardcopy to a cost-effective electronic format. TPI began a monthly column in Athletic Turf News/Landscape Management addressing the benefits of turfgrass.

2011

TPI’s 2011 Midwinter Conference, held January 31-February 4, was headquartered at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in Orlando, Florida. It drew representatives from 79 turfgrass sod farms, along with an additional 90 members of the Florida Sod Growers Cooperative (FSGC) who attended the keynote presentation by farm humorist Damian Mason and visited the Exhibit Hall. Tirty-two golfers converged on Disney’s Palm Course during TLI’s Memorial Golf Tournament fundraiser. Te Next Generation Leaders initiative was introduced in a special reception held just prior to the Welcome Reception. Te next day’s workshop continued

TPI Turf News January/February 2017

Te turfgrass industry continued to face challenges, from the impact of the 2008 economic turndown, to pesticide bans, water-use restrictions, and synthetic turf. Yet over 300 people, from nine countries, demonstrated their commitment to the industry and the association by attending TPI’s Summer Convention and Field Days, held July 18-22 at the Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, Nevada. TLI fundraiser events included the Memorial Golf Tournament, a slot machine contest and a “bean bag toss” game featuring a raffle to win a “Masters” golf prize package. Non-golfers enjoyed Te Scenic Lake Tahoe Tour. A tour of “Te Way It Was Museum,” during the evening event in Virginia City, NV, gave attendees insights into what gold mining was like in the 1870s. Western Turf & Hardscapes, approximately 25 miles north of Reno, was the Field Day Host.

Educational sessions again included the Roundtable Forum, with featured topics such as “Green Certification for the Sod Industry,” “Next Generation Leaders,” and “Environmental Challenges for Turfgrass.” Te First Time Attendees “Meet & Greet” attracted many from the U.S. and international members from Canada, South Africa and Western Australia. Dinner in the Exhibit Hall gave producers and suppliers additional opportunities to interact. During the annual meeting, Dave Dymond, H&H Sod Co., Inc., Kenansville, FL, was installed as TPI 2011-2012 President.

Te TPI website had a facelift in 2011 to make it more visually appealing, easier to navigate and to provide greater access to information through a wide assortment of new features. TPI’s Twelfth Study Tour, October 21-November 1, visited sites across North and South Ireland, including four turf farms and two stadiums. Te Tour was developed and led by Doug Fender, owner and operator of Ultimate Travel Adventures (UTA), who previously served as TPI’s executive director for 21 years.

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