TURF NEWS TURNS 40!
By Suz Trusty
Turf News turns 40 with this issue. In December of 1977, the first issue of the American Sod Producers Association’s (ASPA) bi-monthly magazine, ASPA Turf News, was published. It consisted of 16 pages and had 10 advertisers.
When Glenn Rehbein, Rehbein Farms Inc., Lino Lakes, Minnesota, was elected ASPA President for 1977-1978, he was asked to list his goals for the year. One of them was, “To establish and cultivate a good bi-monthly trade magazine for the Association.”
Charles Lain, Sr., now retired from Pine Island Turf Nursery, Inc., Pine Island, New York, provides a bit of background. “I joined ASPA in 1974 and attended my first ASPA Conference in New Orleans that February. ASPA was continuing to grow and to bring those dedicated to growth onto the board. I was one of those asked to serve, and another, the one that got Turf News going, was Glenn Rehbein.
“We had been trying to tie in with the golf industry publication, but Glenn really promoted the idea of having our own magazine and our own voice. And we all liked that concept and got behind it. Te ASPA Board of Trustees approved the idea of a magazine, but it was Glenn who was instrumental in getting a magazine of our own up and going.”
As the History of Turfgrass Producers International 40th Anniversary book reports, “During a business trip, Glenn met with Dick Morey, President of Brantwood Publications in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. Morey encouraged the idea and ASPA contracted with his firm to design, print and mail the first issue of Turf News, which was published during December of 1977.”
Ray Weekley of Chantilly Turf Farms, Inc., Chantilly, VA, was serving on the ASPA Board of Trustees, representing Prince William Turf Growers, Fairfax, VA, when the decision was made to launch the publication.
Here are his reflections on that decision. “In 1977 the Turf Industry was growing and with expansion, key players were more dispersed. Te Turf News Magazine was
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ASPA 1978-1979 officers (left to right): John Hope – Vice Presi- dent, Teodore Mund – Treasurer, Charles Lain, Sr. – President, and Ray Weekley – Secretary.
created as a means for the turf farming community to stay connected and informed. With the international element also growing, a common connection and source of information for farmers all over the world became even more valuable to the turf industry.
“At that time in our history, turf farmers became unique customers for the equipment manufacturers as industry specific equipment became available and evolved to meet our needs. Major investments were being made by turf farms in harvesters and other machinery that revolutionized our industry. Tis made shared insights and communication between farmers and farms even greater and the need for each individual farmer to stay on top of new developments vital to their success in the industry.”
Rehbein wrote as part of his “From the Presidents Desk” column in that first issue: “I’d like to dedicate the first issue of ASPA’s Turf News to the past presidents and directors who have brought our organization this far in 10 years. Since ASPA’s inception in 1967, our membership has grown from 40 charter members to over 350 members—an increase of nearly tenfold.
“Te board’s intent is to publish six issues a year going to all ASPA members. Two issues will be sent to all known sod producers each year—a mailing of approximately 1,100. Tese will be the issues preceding the annual mid-winter conference, and the annual summer convention. Tus, we hope to use Turf News as a membership tool also.
“Tis magazine will be for communication among all ASPA members—communications regarding legislation affecting the industry, new products, problem solving, and new ideas in sod production. Manufacturers are also invited to use this magazine as an advertising tool.
TPI Turf News November/December 2017
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