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countdown to tpi’s 5oth Compiled by Suz Trusty

Te American Sod Producers Association (ASPA) was officially established on July 11, 1967. (It was renamed Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) in 1994 to better reflect the international scope of the association.) Tis article—covering 1980 to 1989—is the third decade- by-decade review of the growth of the association, leading up to the 50 & Fabulous Anniversary Celebration.

Much of the information covered in the “50 & Fabulous–Countdown to TPI’s 50th Anniversary” series of articles will be drawn from the History of Turfgrass Producers International, which was developed for the 40th Anniversary of TPI. It was edited by Dr. Wendell Mathews, former editor of Turf News, and Walt Pemrick, TPI president 1983-1984. Among the others assisting with historical documentation, was Dr. James B Beard, and his “Evolution of Turfgrass Sod,” is included in the publication.

Te 40th Anniversary book drew on material included in the 25th Anniversary book, titled Turfgrass: Natures Constant Benediction, which was co-edited by Janice Betts and Dr. Wendell Mathews. Both books acknowledge and thank the multiple contributors of information and photos. A quote from Turfgrass: Natures Constant Benediction sums up not only the compilation of historic background, but also the development of the association,

“Together, all of us have done what one person could not accomplish.”

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1980-1989 1980

anniversary in 2017

Gerry Brouwer is all smiles as the judges check the harvested sod during the 1980 Field Day at Gem Sod Farms Ltd., Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.

Te ASPA Midwinter Conference was held at the Contemporary Hotel, Disney World, Orlando, FL, on February 24-26, with over 300 registrants and total attendance well over 700. Sessions featured topics of practical interest to sod growers: field management, business, marketing, agronomics and legal regulations. Following the Conference, Ed Davis, R&D Sod Farms, Okeechobee, FL, hosted over 110 ASPA members. Davis provided a tour of his 900 acres of St. Augustine sod and demonstrated his self-designed, redesigned and adapted equipment.

ASPA’s Summer Convention and Field Days, headquartered at the Four Seasons Hotel, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, July 20-22, drew over 400 registrants and their families. Te Sunday evening welcome party theme played on Edmonton’s “Klondike Days” celebration. Te first day’s program included a trip to Big Lake Sod Farm Ltd., Wetaskiwan, for a tour and irrigation demonstration. Raymond A. Johnson, Shamrock Turf Nurseries, Inc., Hanna, IN, was elected 1980-1981 President. Te first woman was elected to the ASPA Board of Trustees, Michelle Williams, Meredith Sod Farms, Salt Lake City, Utah. Convention chairman and Field Day host, Don Stumborg, Gem Sod Farms, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, welcomed attendees to a busy day with 22 demonstration time slots and 27 day- long exhibit spaces.

Among the year’s highlights, the ASPA Board of Trustees approved an advisory “Council of Past Presidents.” ASPA also retained a financial consultant, Dennis Marx of Ernst & Whitney; fought farm labor contractors restrictions; granted additional funding for Fusarium blight research; and approved development

TPI Turf News July/August 2016

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