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!
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.
Photo courtesy of Haley Alford Haley Alford, 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. Te 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.
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!
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TPI Turf News January/February 2025
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