THE LAIN FAMILY, PINE ISLAND TURF NURSERY, AND A LASTING LEGACY

By Suz Trusty

Editor’s Note: Turf News asked Past Presidents Charles Lain, Sr. and Charles (Chip) Lain, Jr. to look back over their career in the turfgrass industry to share highlights from the past, present and their future.

This is the latest Lain Family photo. (From left to right) Shari and Chip Lain; Kelsey Lain Gurda, Brayden Gurda (age 2) and Brandon Gurda; Clarinda Lain and her boyfriend, Johnathon Illanovsky. Photo courtesy of the Lain family.

On Sunday, August 28, 2016, Pine Island Turf Nursery of Pine Island, New York, held a BBQ at their farm to celebrate 50 years in business. Tis lasting legacy of the foresight and business acumen of founder Charles Lain, Sr., nurtured by his son, Charles Lain, Jr. (Chip) and his wife and business partner, Shari, is working toward the future with the third generation, their daughter, Kelsey Lain Gurda.

“Te celebration was a wonderful, emotional experience for me, thanks to Kelsey, who organized it, and Chip and Shari,” says Charles. “I thank the good Lord that at 85 I was able to be there and be so blessed by so many friends and colleagues. When I first started this company, some smart business owners told me I’d need to have a good banker, a good lawyer and a good accountant. Pine Island is still with the same bank. Te accountant that initially advised and guided us joined in the celebration, as did the lawyer and his wife.”

TPI Turf News November/December 2016

Te Lain legacy includes decades of service to the turfgrass industry and the association. Charles Lain served as president of the American Sod Producers Association (ASPA) in 1978- 1979. Te ASPA name had changed to Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) when Chip Lain served as president in 2009-2010. Both have met and mingled with sod producers from across the world through their involvement, enriching their lives and improving their business interests as their efforts provided the same benefits for many others.

Getting Started Charles Lain had worked in sales for Weyerhaeuser for ten years when the appeal of the corporate world faded for him. Te Lain family had been in agriculture in the New York area for over 200 years and he had grown up on a dairy farm, so his Ag background was strong. Te sod industry was in its infancy and he saw its potential. In 1964, he left Weyerhaeuser and joined his brother in Lain Sod Farm. Two years later, he wanted to expand, but his brother was afraid to grow too fast.

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