countdown to tpi’s 5oth

anniversary in 2017 1980-1989

Windsor, England, September 16-18. Sam Leon, Leon’s Sod Farm, Frenchtown, NJ, supplied the 450,000 square feet (41,806 square meters) of sod installed on Liberty Island, home of the Statute of Liberty.

Te 1985-1986 ASPA Officers and Board Members (left to right): Bill Campbell, Bob Johnson, Doug Morgan, Al Gardner, Ike Tomas, Dick McGovern, Randy Tischer, Bob Goodrich, Dave Payne and George Betts (not pictured: Ed Davis).

1986

SunBurst Resort, Scottsdale, AZ, headquartered ASPA’s Midwinter Conference, February 5-7. Te pre- Conference “Marketing Seminar” was presented by Dr. Charles Greenidge, consultant to landscape contractors/ nurserymen. Te opening reception was held in the exhibit area, featuring 28 booths. ASPA’s 10th honorary membership was presented to Dr. Richard Smiley, Oregon State University. Preventive maintenance and problem solving procedures were addressed during the “Tech Session.” A “Sod Sales Staff” panel discussed marketing through sales reps. Te new Manufacturers’ Advisory Counsel held its first meeting. Host C. C. Willis welcomed 120 participants to the tour of Western Sod Farm, Casa Grande, AZ.

Te first International Study Tour to New Zealand and Australia in October drew 74 participants from 31 firms. ASPA expressed criticism of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) planned Diazinon ban. ASPA was represented at the Rolawn stand during the “Royal Windsor ’86” Sports and Leisure World Trade Exhibition,

ASPA’s Second International Summer Convention and Field Days, headquartered at the Sheraton West Port Hotel, St. Louis, MO, July 23-25, was deemed a great success. Alvern K. Gardner, A-G Sod Farms, Inc., Broomfield, CO, was elected ASPA’s 1986-1987 President. “Club 601,” an expanded effort to increase membership to 601, was announced. Over 500 lunches were served during the Field Day at Emerald View Turf Farms, O’Fallon, MO, hosted by Ed Keeven, Sr. and family. Te tour visited the research plots at the Monsanto Research Farm and Emerald View Turf Farms.

1987

A record 522 attended ASPA’s Midwinter Conference, headquartered at the Diplomat Hotel, Hollywood, FL, February 2-4. Te computer seminar, coordinated by Woodrow Dick, consultant to the American Association of Nurserymen (AAN), eliminated some of the mystique about buying and using a company computer. Sessions focused on agronomic topics, including the use of chemicals in sod production. Te tour was hosted by the Florida Sod Growers Association (FSGA) and coordinated by Ray Caruthers, Big B Farm, Belle Glades, FL. Stops included the St. Augustine variety development plots at the University of Florida; Mace Sod; a sugar cane production operation; and Big B Farm’s sod operation and harvesting.

ASPA testified in the attempt to reverse the EPA’s Diazinon ban. ASPA headquarters were moved to Rolling Meadows, IL. Te “Turf Installation Guide,” a four-color brochure, became available to members. ASPA membership reached 601; the “Club 701” membership drive was planned. Te operators of Kibbutz Ruppin Turf Farm in the Beit She’an Valley, Israel, developed use of a nylon sling to eliminate the wooden pallet return problem.

A mowing demonstration at the 1986 Field Day at Emerald View Turf Farm, O’Fallon, MO.

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ASPA’s Summer Convention and Field Days were held at the Westin Hotel, Seattle, WA, July 29-31, with the opening reception again held in the exhibit area. A special education program featured David Deitz, program director of the Pesticide Public Policy Foundation (3PF); Dr. C. Reed Funk, noted turfgrass breeder, Rutgers University; and Tom Cook, Oregon State University. George Betts, Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Tuckahoe, NJ, was elected ASPA’s

TPI Turf News July/August 2016