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January//F bruar 2025 February 2025 e only magazine devoted exclusively o t turffgrass production tto u gra s prod ct on A publication of Turfgrass Producers International
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
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.
28A 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 Te new year is an excellent time to review your marketing plans and capitalize on new tools.
DEPARTMENTS
President's TURF …...…................……...… 2 Executive Director's TURF …...................... 4 TPI News ………………….….................. 6-7 Te Lawn Institute News ......................... 8-9 New & Returning Members ….….............. 79 Happenings ..................................... 66 & 68 Turfgrass Industry News ...................... 70-71
TPI Turf News January/February 2025
Tree Month U.S. Weather Maps ......... 72 Tree Month Global Weather Maps ... 74 Weather Watch…................................76 Classified Ads.........................................78 Advertisers Index....................................79 Turfgrass Industry Calendar.................80
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