Bob McCurdy, McCurdy Sod Farms
In 1980, Bob McCurdy graduated with an agriculture degree from Te University of Tennessee at Martin and returned to the family farm. After a few years of 18 percent interest rates and low commodity prices, Bob and his father started doing some erosion control contracting and realized
the need for turfgrass sod on many projects. Starting with two acres of bermudagrass, the farm has grown to include both certified and non-certified Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, and Tall fescue. Other products grown are livestock, row crops, and pumpkins.
Te McCurdy family has spent a lot of time in succession planning, and the formation of an LLC that includes daughter Liz, and her husband Ben. Additionally, Bob and his wife Suzanne have two sons: Jay is the Turfgrass Extension Specialist for the state of Mississippi and Tom is a Navy pilot serving in the Pacific, on the USS Ronald Reagan. Bob is honored to have an opportunity to serve on the TPI board beginning in 2019.
Aaron McWhorter, NG Turf
In 1985, Aaron McWhorter started NG Turf with 20 acres of certified bermudagrass. Today, the operation has acres in six locations serving the north Georgia market. NG Turf strives to be the best supplier in Georgia growing 12 different varieties of sod and the company focuses on
proprietary varieties of Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, and fescue for landscape, golf, wholesale, and retail customers. Most of the sod production is delivered into the Atlanta market. NG Turf has developed a large customer base who depend on their quality, service, and dependability of supply.
NG Turf is a family organization: Aaron’s son Mark oversees production of all farms and his son-in-law Jutt Howard manages business operations and the main farm in Whitesburg. Daughter Merett Alexander coordinates marketing and golf sales and daughter Natalie Howard is special projects coordinator. She is also a project manager in NG Turf ’s sister company, Sports Turf.
In 1992, Sports Turf Company (STC) was chartered to help market sod. Today, Sports Turf has become a premier contractor in the Southeast building outdoor recreation facilities at professional, college, high school and municipal sites. Sports Turf is a licensed general contractor employing over 50 people. Combined, NG Turf and STC employ approximately 200 people during the peak season.
COMPLIMENTARY TPI EDUCATOR MEMBERSHIP TPI Educator Membership
In recognition of the valuable service that university turfgrass researchers, educators, and extension specialists provide Turfgrass Producers International and the turfgrass industry, TPI offers a complimentary TPI membership class for all educators and other individuals engaged in turfgrass research, teaching or extension work.
• Standard ($75): Receive all benefits of membership, as well as a printed copy of Turf News
• Complimentary: Receive all benefits of membership, including an electronic subscription to our bi-monthly magazine, Turf News
Please contact Karen Cooper at 847-737-7631 or
kcooper@TurfGrassSod.org to join. TPI Turf News January/February 2019 31
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