EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S TURF TPI’s Extensive Network
Casey Reynolds, PhD
The last two months have been filled with TPI staff connections with members spanning the distance from Texas to Florida, Illinois to Arizona, and Washington D.C. to Europe, just to name a few. Devastation to TPI member communities from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma has been met with resilience and perseverance, while new collaborations in America and abroad have been met with energy and eagerness. The common thread between all of these is the extensive network that exists in the TPI family.
Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas on Friday night, August 25, and impacted some areas with up to 50 inches of rainfall. Less than three weeks later, Irma impacted Florida with similar strength. In fact, it was the first time in history that two Category 4 hurricanes made landfall in the United States.
Almost immediately, TPI members began calling our office to see how they could help. TPI Board Member Keith Wittig was at the center of the floods in Wharton, TX, and while working with his family and community, began to mobilize recovery efforts. Karen Cooper, Associate Executive Director of TPI, delivered food to local emergency response teams, and we are currently working with the TPI Board of Trustees on how we can help further.
September also brought TPI together with the National Turfgrass Federation in Washington, D.C. and the European Turfgrass Producers in Holland. The National Turfgrass Federation met in Washington D.C. September 19 and 20. I was there to represent TPI and The Lawn Institute (TLI) as we discussed future opportunities for collaboration on turfgrass research, education, and marketing to continue to move the turfgrass industry forward. Particular topics of discussion included turfgrass uses and benefits, the development of new varieties, turfgrass genetics, and public education to make sure that we are not only meeting the needs of society and consumers, but doing it in a way that is beneficial to the economy, environment, and turfgrass industry.
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This theme was continued abroad on September 28 and 29 during the European Turfgrass Producers (ETP) Seminars & Turf Expo in Venray and Ysselsteyn, Netherlands, when I was invited to speak on the topic “Issues facing Turfgrass Producers in the USA and Canada.” Over 150 people, consisting of growers, vendors, and guests attended the seminars, while approximately 400 were present for the Turf Expo at a nearby turfgrass farm. Both days were filled with connections of ETP and TPI members from the United Kingdom, Holland, Italy, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Russia, Ukraine, United States and more as well as some new faces who are just now exploring careers in turfgrass production. It was a great opportunity to represent TPI while meeting new individuals and companies and reconnecting with old friends and long-time turfgrass industry partners.
Lastly, plans for the 2018 International Education Conference & Field Day are coming into focus and registration is opening soon! We look forward to a great event and hope that each of you can join us!
Cheers,
"The common thread between all of these is the extensive network that exists in the TPI family."
Turfgrass Producers International: @TPITurfTalk The Lawn Institute: @TLIhealthylawns
TPI Turf News November/December 2017
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