March/April 2025 The only magazine devo The only magazine devoted exclus vely o t turfgrass produc exclusiively tto u s production T A publication of Turfgrass Producers International
Tackling Labor Issues
Navigating Today’s Workplace How We Use AI On Our Farm April is… National Lawn Care Month
... And Much More
Cover: Field at Modern Turf Photo courtesy Hank Kerfoot
TURF NEWS Vol. 49 No. 2 March/April 2025
Published by
Turfgrass Producers International 444 E. Roosevelt Road #346 Lombard, IL 60148 U.S. & Canada Tel: 800-405-8873 International Tel: 1-847-649-5555 Fax: 1-847-649-5678 Email:
info@TurfgrassSod.org Website:
www.TurfgrassSod.org
TPI Contact Information
Executive Director Casey Reynolds, PhD
CReynolds@TurfgrassSod.org
Membership & Marketing Manager Allie Roed
ARoed@TurfgrassSod.org
Advertising Sales/Classified Ads Allie Roed
ARoed@TurfgrassSod.org
Co-Editors Steve & Suz Trusty
SteveTrusty@TurfgrassSod.org SuzTrusty@TurfgrassSod.org
Art Director Jane Tomlinson
jane@inkumbrella.com
Director of Meetings Liz Lonsbrough
liz@TurfgrassSod.org
Policy Consultant Jonathan Moore
jonathanm494@gmail.com
Editorial Advisors John Sorochan, PhD University of Tennessee (warm-season grasses)
sorochan@utk.edu
Aaron J. Patton, PhD Purdue University (cool-season grasses)
ajpatton@purdue.edu
Turf News is published bi-monthly (January/ February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/December) with a $25 subscription fee from Membership dues, by Turfgrass Producers International 444 E. Roosevelt Road #346, Lombard, IL 60148 Periodical postage paid at Jefferson City, MO
POSTMASTER Please send address changes to Turf News 444 E. Roosevelt Road #346, Lombard, IL 60148 USPS no. 003 255; ISSN 0899-417K Canadian Post: Publications agreement No. 1479148
TPI Turf News March/April 2025
2025
IN THIS ISSUE
FEATURE ARTICLES FOCUS: Tackling Labor Issues
12 Tackling Labor Issues—Prepare for Upheaval Te new administration’s reshaping of immigration issues will bring changes to an already tight labor market.
16 Navigating Today’s Workforce Today’s workplace requires intensive navigation techniques. Refine yours for more success.
20 How We Use AI On Our Farm Learn how one TPI member is experimenting with AI, including ChatGPT, to explore potential benefits.
24 Natural Grass Sod Checkoff Decision Now Awaiting Voting Results No matter the outcome, there will be much work to be done to grow the market for sod.
26 Ask the Expert—A Q & A on Current Conservation Trends with Brianna Henry Hear more about the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and its benefits.
30 Leadership Inspiration Get inspired to be a better leader with quotes from other leaders.
32 What’s in a Name? U of GA & Pure Seed Resolve Turfgrass Name Duplication Tere is a lot more to choosing a name for a new grass than meets the eye.
34 April Is… National Lawn Care Month Tap into the many tools you can use to help promote the benefits of natural grass.
40 Rooted in Research—How Strong is Bermudagrass? Dr. Mike Fidanza discusses the science that goes into determining sod strength.
42 Weather Hazard Safety Make plans now to help your employees avoid lightning and other outdoor work hazards.
46 Project Evergreen and SFMA Deliver a Free Professional Ballfield in Palm Springs
More than 75 professional volunteers and 13 companies donate time and materials teaming with Project Evergreen and SFMA on a $40,000 makeover of DeMuth Park baseball fields.
48 The Language of Popularity at Work—What to Say (and Do) to Stand Out in a Crowd
Adopting ten proven strategies can quickly increase your standing in any workplace crowd. DEPARTMENTS
President's TURF …...…................……...… 2 Executive Director's TURF …...................... 4 TPI News ………………….….................. 6-7 Te Lawn Institute News .................. 8-9 & 10 Association Updates …..............….............. 50 Happenings ......................................... 52-53 Turfgrass Industry News ...................... 54-55
U.S. 3 Month Climate Predictions ........ 56 Global Weather Anomaly Maps ......... 58 Weather Watch…................................60 Classified Ads.........................................62 Advertisers Index....................................63 New & Returning Members .…........... 63 Turfgrass Industry Calendar................ 64
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Tu f News TurfNe
ews March/April 2025
FOCUS: Tackling Labor Issues
www.TurfGrassSod.org
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