PRESIDENT’S TURF
Our Greatest Opportunity is in Forward Thinking
Forward thinking provides the greatest opportunity to improve our businesses and the natural grass industry.
It was forward thinking in 1967 that led to the formation of the American Sod Producers Association (ASPA). Renamed Turfgrass Producers International in 1984, TPI is an international organization for natural grass producers, with the greatest opportunity to network with other industry professionals and make the biggest impact on actions that affect our industry.
It was forward thinking that led TPI to establish a not-for-profit Foundation. Now named Te Lawn Institute (TLI), the foundation’s goal is to provide scientific, fact-based information on the value and management of natural grass lawns while funding academic research to advance the industry.
TLI Research Report Te report of current TLI-funded research is featured in this issue of Turf News. Read about the work of these forward-thinking research scientists and consider how their findings will impact your business.
Your contributions to TLI help fund this valuable research. More funding is needed. Make your contribution now, before the year ends.
2026 TPI Tucson Conference Te TPI Conference is your opportunity to pick up great ideas from the educational sessions and learn even more through networking with fellow turfgrass producers from around the world.
Te Solutions Showcase and the Field Day are the main events that give you the opportunity to explore
2 Daniel Huggett
what our forward-thinking TPI vendors are bringing to market. Tese vendors support TPI through their participation in these events and so much more. Visit their exhibits. Talk with them about their products. And most importantly—buy from them.
You can help raise funds for TLI by playing in the golf tournament held at the world-class course at our conference hotel. Or raise funds in TLI’s first Pickleball Tournament. We also have some fun surprises in store for you at the Conference, starting during the President’s Welcome Reception.
TPI’s Future Leaders Fellowship Program TPI introduced this two-year program to give forward-thinking younger members the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills and to get more engaged and involved in the turfgrass industry and TPI. Tey are the future of TPI.
Te second group of participants will hold their final official meeting during the Tucson Conference. Te application period for the third group will open this fall. If you are interested in applying, contact TPI Executive Director Dr. Casey Reynolds at
CReynolds@TurfgrassSod.org.
Serve on the TPI Board of Trustees Te TPI Board of Trustees is dedicated to continually increasing the benefits of membership. If you are interested in being considered for the Board, please contact me at
danielh@columbus-turf.com.
Let’s always look forward together! Daniel Huggett
TPI Turf News September/October 2025
2025 TPI Board of Trustees
Officers
President Daniel Huggett Columbus Turf Nursery – U.S.A. +1-740-983-6580
danielh@columbus-turf.com
Vice President Larry LeMay A-G Sod Farms, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-559-289-2302
llemay@agsod.com
Secretary-Treasurer Wade Wilbur Sod Shop – U.S.A. +1-913-814-0044
wade@sodshops.com
Past President Diane Mischel DeBuck’s Sod Farm, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-810-653-2201
office@debucksodfarm.com
Executive Director Casey Reynolds, PhD Turfgrass Producers International – U.S.A. +1-847-737-1846
CReynolds@TurfgrassSod.org
Trustees Charles Harris Buy Sod – U.S.A. +1-910-992-6080
charris@buysod.com
Eric Hjort Tater Farms – U.S.A. +1-904-692-2246
eric_hjort@taterfarms.com
Sarah Nolte Blue Grass Enterprises, Inc. – U.S.A. +1-391-842-2165
sarah@bgsod.com
Adam Russell MVP Genetics – U.S.A. +1-971-718-4525
arussell@mvpgenetics.com
Justin Thomas Prime Sod – U.S.A. +1-817-565-9960
justin@primesod.com
Kurt Vanclief Willowlee Sod Farms, Limited – Canada +1-613-966-0338
kurt@willowleesod.com
Eric Webb Raft River Sod – U.S.A. +1-208-878-5740
eric@raftriversod.com
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