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Turfgrass Producers Gather From Around the World

Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) held their Summer Convention in Philadelphia, PA – July 29th thru August 1st, with Field Day activities at nearby Johnson Farms in Deerfield, NJ. Great weather and the hospitality of Philadelphia welcomed over 500 attendees from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States to the City of Brotherly Love.

The pre-convention schedule featured an educational farm/ag tour that included a visit to Sheppard Farms, Inc. & Eastern Fresh Growers, Inc. Owner Tom Sheppard served as a tour guide of this unique and diversified farm/wholesale produce sales company that provides fresh market vegetables to a broad customer base. During the peak of the season the farm has 240 employees on their 1,400 acre operation.

A visit to nearby Coombs Sod Farms hosted by John Coombs provided visitors with an opportunity to see a combination turfgrass and extremely successful potato operation. The final stop on the tour was a visit to Lincoln Financial Field, home of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles where Director of Grounds, Tony Leonard and his staff provided fascinating information and answered questions as attendees had an opportunity to walk the field. Later that evening guests were invited to a welcome reception, view tabletop displays and get reacquainted with old friends while having an opportunity to make new acquaintances.

Field Day host Dave Johnson is joined by New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher, TPI President Eddie Keeven and Executive Director, Melanie Stanton.

Field Day host Dave Johnson is joined by New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher, TPI President Eddie Keeven and Executive Director, Melanie Stanton.

The following day’s educational sessions included a presentation by columnist/author Gene Marks who addressed current political, economic and technological trends that might impact today’s business owner. International grass athletic field advisor and educator Jared Minnick, a long time sports field manager and Founder/President of Growing Innovations provided an attention-getting presentation illustrating how, with proper care and maintenance, natural grass sports fields can standup to extremely high traffic demands. There were numerous presentations that introduced attendees to innovative products and services designed to help turfgrass professional operate their businesses more efficiently, reduce operating costs and/or increase productivity either in the office or in the field. TPI’s Executive Director, Melanie Stanton provided an overview of some of the exciting changes and that have taken place over the last seven months including TPI’s increased social media presence on Facebook and Twitter, and the association’s heightened visibility and interaction with other green industry associations, organizations and industry representatives.

One of the highlights of the convention was an exclusive video interview featuring former NFL wide receiver, Ricky Proehl whose career in the NFL spanned a remarkable 17 seasons. He appeared in 244 games, played on seven different NFL teams, and was a member of four Super Bowl teams. Currently the wide receivers coach for the Carolina Panthers, Proehl shared his personal thoughts on why he and the majority of NFL players prefer practicing and playing on natural grass rather than artificial turf surfaces. TPI plans to release excerpts of the video in the coming weeks.

During TPI’s Annual Business Meeting on July 30 at the host hotel, the Ritz Carlton, the following appointments were announced: President – Eddie Keeven Jr. (Emerald View Turf Farm, O’Fallon, MO); Vice President – Will Nugent (Bethel Farms, Arcadia, FL) and Secretary/Treasurer – Linda Bradley (Turf Mountain Sod, Hendersonville, NC). Three year TPI Trustee appointments included Hugh Dampney of Dampney’s Eco Turf, Parley Court Farm, Christchurch, UK, and Hank Kerfoot of Modern Turf, Inc., Rembert, SC.

TPI’s Field Day was preceded with a Preview Jubilee & Dinner on Wednesday hosted by Dave and Donna Johnson of Johnson Farms. In addition to providing attendees with a tour of their 1600 acre sod and nursery operation, numerous fun activities helped to raise money for The Lawn Institute to support turfgrass research and education. A Tricycle Race, Live Auction and generous sponsorship support raised over $25,000 for the Foundation.

A highlight TPI’s Field Day on Thursday was a surprise visit by New Jersey’s Secretary of Agriculture, Douglas H. Fisher who extended a warm welcome and thank you to turfgrass producers worldwide for their personal commitment and dedication in producing a product that not only helps the environment but enriches the world in which we live. Plenty of exhibits both at the host hotel and during the Field Day, along with in-field demonstrations showcasing the latest technological advances in equipment, parts, products and services related to the turfgrass industry made the summer show an outstanding success.

Perhaps Dave Johnson, who hosted the Field Day summed it up best when he commented, “This summer’s TPI convention was everything I hoped it would be. Words can’t describe how proud we were to have been given the opportunity to showcase our farm, but to be given the chance to host a TPI Field Day was an honor. Something we will never forget.” Echoing Johnson’s enthusiasm was South Africa turfgrass producer Jannie van der Schyff of Africa Lawns who wrote, “Thank you very much for an excellent convention. This is what foreigners are looking for – information, experience, networking and a memorable time. Well done to all!”

Turfgrass Producers International is an independent, not-for-profit association comprised of more than 700 turfgrass sod and seed producers, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and other professionals involved in turf-related education and research. TPI has members in over 40 countries worldwide.