PRESIDENT’S TURF
Make Memories in Michigan This Summer
Bob McCurdy
While growing up on the family farm in West Tennessee, family vacations were always the highlight of our summers. Usually, the trip had a practical purpose. It might have been a few days for Dad to see an old army buddy, to visit an out- of-state farm show, or maybe to pick up a piece of equipment.
But one trip still stands out in my mind after all these years. Following a stressful planting season, and with no time to plan, Dad hesitated at the end of the driveway, debating which direction to go. One direction would lead to the East and probably a few nights in the Smoky Mountains. To the West would be a ferry ride across the Mississippi River, and cool nights in the Ozark Mountains, or maybe even a drive to Saint Louis for a Cardinals’ ballgame.
I remember the discussion at every turn, as my parents and my older sister weighed the possibilities that would lie beyond each choice. Te whole thing reminds me of the scene in Alice in Wonderland, where Alice asks the Cheshire Cat if she is on the right road. Cheshire replies that it depends upon where Alice wants to go. Alice replies that she does not care where she goes, as long as she gets somewhere. Tere’s hidden meaning in this classic tale—one about enjoying the journey, perhaps with people important to us, and another about being purposeful in our lives. Regardless, it was the memories and experiences of those road trips that made my childhood. Most of you probably cherish similar memories.
Tis summer’s TPI International Convention and Field Day offers us an opportunity to travel with family and friends—a chance to go more than just somewhere, but somewhere with purpose. Te show combines classes on personal growth, business development, and family fun at New Lawn Sod Farm in Michigan. Te Debuck’s are more than sod farmers; they’re in the entertainment and experience business.
You can enjoy everything from a Detroit Tigers’ ballgame to tricycle racing. Tere will be an “Equipment Rodeo” on Tuesday night at the farm where each vendor will have a few minutes in front of the bleachers to describe their wares.
I look forward to the message from Mrs. Jolene Brown. Mrs. Brown is an advocate of agriculture and is an expert in family farm succession planning. Her presentation, “Stop Fighting on the Way to the Funeral Home,” sounds poignant and fitting.
Wednesday is the equipment demonstration. Our vendors have filled the field already.
Remember that we are on a three-year cycle for summer conventions and field days. Tere will not be another until the summer of 2026. I look forward to making memories with you in Michigan this July.
Let’s Grow Together!
2023 TPI Board of Trustees
Officers
President Bob McCurdy McCurdy Sod Farms - U.S.A. +1-731-692-3515
mccurdysodfarms@gmail.com
Vice President Diane Mischel DeBuck’s Sod Farm, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-810-653-2201
office@debucksodfarm.com
Secretary-Treasurer Daniel Huggett Columbus Turf Nursery – U.S.A. +1-740-983-6580
danielh@columbus-turf.com
Past President Jim Keeven SelecTurf, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-573-634-3444
jim@selecturfsod.com
Executive Director Casey Reynolds, PhD Turfgrass Producers International – U.S.A. +1-847-649-5555
creynolds@TurfGrassSod.org
Trustees Eric Hjort Tater Farms – U.S.A. +1-904-692-2246
eric_hjort@taterfarms.com
Albrecht Knigge Rasenland – Germany 495 101 915361
knigge@rasenland.de
Larry LeMay A-G Sod Farms, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-559-289-2302
llemay@agsod.com
Lindy Murff Murff Turf Farm, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-281-328-2812
lmurff@murffturf.com
Adam Russell MVP Genetics – U.S.A. +1-971-718-4525
arussell@mvpgenetics.com
Ron Schiedel Greenhorizons Group – CANADA +1-519-778-7500
ron@greenhorizonssod.com
Wade Wilbur Sod Shop – U.S.A. +1-913-814-0044
wade@sodshops.com
2
TPI Turf News July/August 2023
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 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100
