From the President’s Pen >>>
INCREASE YOUR VALUE
Al ab ama Tu rf Tim es > >> Wint er 2021
It
is my distinct honor to serve as the next President of the Alabama Turfgrass Association. This organization is founded on the dedication to educating members with the most current information, empowering each member with knowledge to maximize success in their career, and to coalesce our membership and constituency into one voice to affect change and protect our industry. And in addition, the relationships developed with our fellow members can offer friendships, second opinions, and experience. With these crazy days we are living through, each of those attributes is that much more significant. I encourage all of us to take advantage of our connection to this resource and get more involved in the ATA, to promote our common goals, and to leave our industry in a better position than when we entered. My background in this industry has been varied over the years, by necessity. Jobs and duties were pretty specific for some of us as we entered the field, but it has become apparent we all need to come to grips with the prospect of taking on expanded roles with our respective organizations. Our long term value as employees is directly related to our overall scope of knowledge and how efficient we are in implementing the skills to the benefit of our team. There are 600+ members of the ATA, each of whom are coping with this eventuality in varied and novel ways. Take the time to learn from each other and we can all raise the level of our respective pedigrees. The Association has many opportunities coming up soon to pick up some knowledge and to say hello to friends. Hopefully conditions with regard to the pandemic allow inperson gatherings, but if not, we will offer online meetings where we can hear critical and timely information. The Road Shows, which offer excellent technical information each year and are efficient methods of gaining license points, will maintain those traits whether it is face-to-face or face-to-screen. Decisions will be made by your Board in November concerning our ability to hold the Road Shows as normal in the five traditional locations, or if we go the virtual route. The latest protocols and health guidance will determine how we proceed, stay tuned. We also have the Lawn and Landscape Field Day coming up in the spring. The location has yet to be named as circumstances are narrowing our possible venues, but be assured the program will be information packed and will cover important topics. Within this issue of the Alabama Turf Times you will find other examples of quality, timely information. Check out the cover story by Dr. Samuel Martin of Clemson University concerning nematode issues in turf and landscapes. Another issue in the news over the last year or so is public opinion regarding glyphosate and its use in landscapes. All of us have most likely seen the late-night advertisements for settlements and lawsuits brought on by a court decision in California. The proffered article by Dr. Stephen Enloe of the University of Florida explains the controversy sparked by the court rulings and the potential ramifications for all of us. Dr. Enloe lays out an excellent synopsis of the science. We all know that if the glyphosate issue hasn’t visited your facility yet, it will soon. This timely information will come in handy once the questions are being asked. As professionals we want to be the experts in the discussions with our coworkers, managers, VP’s, owners, or whomever is involved. This is what the ATA offers to you as a member, a chance to arm yourself with the information and knowledge to increase your value to whomever you report. I look forward to the days when we can gather together and fellowship around turf. I sincerely hope those days are sooner rather than later. Until then I’ll see you on the screen.
Joe Collins, CSFM
2021 ATA ANNUAL SPONSORS GOLD • Bayer Environmental Science • Beard Equipment Company • Greenville Turf & Tractor • Harrell's, Inc. • Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation • Simplot, Inc.
SILVER • BWI Companies • Corteva Agriscience • Ewing • Nufarm, Inc. • SiteOne Landscape Supply • Syngenta • Target Specialties
BRONZE • AGRI-AFC, LLC • Agromax • Aquatrols • BASF • PBI-Gordon • Southern States Turf • Sur-Line Turf • Walker/Wright Mowers
Joe Collins, CSFM 2021 ATA President
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