recognizing his “vision and unselfish dedication in helping organize and promote the sod industry.” Guest speaker, Roman Gabriel, 16-year National Football League (NFL) star quarterback and, at that time, Cal Poly Pomona head football coach, told attendees he preferred natural grass to “that other stuff.” He expressed concerns about playing on artificial turf, noting it could cut your career short.
ASPA’s 15th Annual Summer Convention and Field Days drew attendees to Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA, “Chocolate Town, U.S.A.", July 15-17. Twenty-nine exhibit booths were the hub of opening night. Paul Davis, Davis Sod Farm, Harrisburg, PA, hosted a tour Tursday afternoon. Field Day Host was Bob Hummer, Sporting Valley Turf Farms, Manheim, PA.
A time to relax on the turf during the 1980 Farm Tour at Big Lake Sod Farm Ltd., Wetaskiwin, Alberta.
of a new “benefits of sod” brochure. Two new Turfgrass Associations were formed: Te United Turf Producers’ Association, in England, and the Queenland Turf Growers Association of Australia.
1981
Te Sahara Hotel at Lake Tahoe, NV, headquartered ASPA’s Midwinter Conference, February 16-18. Steve Cockerham, Rancho Verde Turf Farms, Perris, CA, who served as program chair, would be elected as ASPA’s 1981- 1982 President in July. Business-related Conference topics included energy and water use, recent legal developments, tax advice and relevant information on organized labor and unions. Agronomic topics ranged from foliar applied nutrients and soil fumigation to new turfgrass varieties. Exhibits, added to the Conference to provide a forum for direct interaction between attendees and suppliers, drew large and enthusiastic crowds. An honorary ASPA membership was presented to Dr. W. H. Daniel,
Turf News initiated the “Seed Company Reports,” now the focus of each July/August issue. Te National Coalition for a reasonable 2, 4-D Policy launched as a non-profit clearing house to confront unreasonable assaults on agriculture chemicals. ASPA received public television recognition on “Tis Old House” and “Victory Garden.”
1982
ASPA’s Midwinter Conference was held in Maui, Hawaii, March 3-5, at the Royal Lahaina Hotel, with the theme, “Survival of the Fittest.” A traditional luau drew 330 attendees. Business-related sessions emphasized sod production cost analysis and ways to save money, while agronomic issues were addressed in split sessions for warm- and cool-season grasses. Exhibits were again featured. Te Maui Farm Bureau hosted tours to agricultural sites, including a pineapple production field, and other points of interest.
Te ASPA Council for Strategic Planning was formed, following the completion of an in-depth survey and study of ASPA’s organizational structure, functions, staff and member attitudes, by Te Dalton Group of Washington, D.C., that had been approved and initiated in 1981. Te Council was charged with review of the resulting report, starting with the “Membership Opinion Survey,” and providing recommendations to the Board of Trustees.
Attendees check out the tractors during the 1981 Summer Field Day at Sporting Valley Turf Farms, Manheim, PA.
TPI Turf News July/August 2016
Stouffers Inn, Denver, CO, served as headquarters for ASPA’s Summer Convention and Field Days July 21-23. Te opening evening session featured 27 exhibit booths, encouraging interaction between attendees and suppliers. Ralph W. White, Jr., Southern Turf Nurseries, Tifton, GA, was elected 1982-1983 President. Proposed bylaws changes, accepted by vote, included: listing the former vice president position as president-elect; combining the former secretary and treasurer positions; and including
49
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76