PRESIDENT’S TURF Warming By Fires That I Did Not Build
2023 TPI Board of Trustees
Officers Bob McCurdy
By now almost everyone in the natural grass business knows about the unfortunate accident that ended Jets Quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ season. Tis has been a great opportunity to begin turning the trend from plastic turf back to natural grass. Our TPI staff has been busy looking for any opportunity to capitalize on such a popular subject. Tey have posted releases over the news network, followed up with numerous social media posts, and called everyone but Mr. Rodgers himself. I am pretty sure that they even sent him a get-well card.
But what an opportunity have we possibly missed by not having the funds to invest in presenting our story to the public? Te sod industry needs support for more research and marketing. We must reach out to city councils, school boards, and soccer moms if we want to protect the future of natural grass from those who oppose us.
Tis is my last president’s article for the TPI magazine. I appreciate the opportunity to serve as your president. Tese twelve months have given me a new look at the hard work that goes on in our association. But our success has so little to do with me. I have been blessed to enjoy the warmth of fires that others have built. Included in this list are past TPI presidents and boards. Tey laid a very sturdy foundation that we are all enjoying. Others have also done so much to make our association strong.
Many thanks go to Dr. Casey Reynolds, as he welcomes change, but also understands the need to hold a steady course and keep our business sound. It has been a pleasure to work with our staff. Allie’s creativity and social media skills amaze me. Geri’s enthusiasm and dedication are an example to all. We have an outstanding magazine, and the support from Steve and Suz is exceptional. Liz and her team have stepped up the level of our Conference and Field Day. Her ability to organize sets a new bar for me. Tank you to the TPI Board for supporting me this year. In just thirteen months, this team has produced three International Conferences as well as a study tour to Germany.
And most importantly I want to thank YOU, our vendors, and our membership. Tank you for your professional contributions to this industry that we have chosen, and for your financial support of TPI.
You will have an opportunity to find out what your association has been up to February 4th
through the 8th at our 2024 conference in Orlando. We have an outstanding conference and field day planned—and it is just for you.
Turfgrass Producers International operates just for professional growers of natural grass. Like grass, TPI needs nurturing, supporting, and sometimes even changing. I hope you will continue to support it with not only your membership but also with your time. We need to keep the fires burning.
Let’s Grow Together!
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
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TPI Turf News November/December 2023
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