EUROPEAN TURFGRASS PRODUCERS TO HOLD 2016 FARM TOUR IN GINOSA, ITALY

By Jim Novak

Turfgrass producers and Industry delegates* from all over Europe will gather in Ginosa, in Southern Italy, to sample local turfgrass production, talk about the challenges and opportunities they face, and have a unique opportunity to meet, network, and share ideas that can shape the direction of this increasingly important industry.

Tis year’s European Turfgrass Producers (ETP) Farm Tour will take place September 28-30 and it’s open to participants from all over the world.

In addition to planned presentations, an open exhibition to all ETP Industry Sponsor companies, and social activities, attendees will visit “I Prati di Marinella,” a sod farm in the delta of Metaponto that grows a tall fescue/Kentucky bluegrass mix and bermudagrass on the local sandy soils. Te farm is located just one kilometer (less that a mile) from the ancient Greek ruins of Lycian Apollo. Te tour also includes a visit to Plantec Soc. Agr. Srl, the largest sod farm in southern Italy at 60 hectares (148 acres). Plantec grows a tall fescue/Kentucky bluegrass mix, plus bermudagrass, Manilagrass, zoysiagrass, seashore paspalum and Village Green Kikuyugrass. Te farm is

located on a hill made up of almost pure sand. Te farm house, which dates from the mid 1700s, is in typical Apulian “masseria” style and also will host the evening aperitif and barbeque.

Plantec is a member of both the European Turfgrass Society (ETS) and Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) and they have currently undertaken research projects on turfgrass with the Institute of Plant Production of the University of Bari.

The fascinating Lycian Apollo Greek ruins are located one kilometer from “I Prati di Marinella,” the sod farm which is the first stop on the ETP Farm Tour on September 29.

The 2016 ETP Farm Tour attendees will tour Stadio San Nicola in Bari on the afternoon of September 30. This view focuses on the pitch of Tifway 419 bermudagrass on which the 1990 FIFA World Cup was played. The unique design of the stadium resembles a 'f lower,’ with the 8-meter empty spaces which separate the 'petals' clearly visible at the upper tiers of the stadium in this photo.

52 TPI Turf News September/October 2016