P R E S I D E N T ’S M E S S AG E
We’re
Arkansas Turfgrass Association P.O. Box 185 • Bryant, AR 72089 Tel: 501-860-0187 Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street, Suite 200 Franklin, TN 37064 Tel: 615-790-3718 Email: info@leadingedge communications.com
Richard Covert ATA President
B A C K! Ah,
winter. A time for hunkering down and letting nature reset itself as she does every year. This season is so needed in our industry, as it gives us a moment to breathe and take a rest from the growing season. Also, how ‘bout those Hogs?!? Bowl eligible for the first time since 2016! Woo Pig Sooie! I was so excited to write this letter, because I’m so happy to announce that we are back IN PERSON for our 2022 Arkansas Turfgrass Association Conference! We are beyond ready to see everyone again, and have our trade show and talks. We have made some changes to the meeting this year, and I want to discuss those in a little bit more detail here. One of the main changes is that our trade show is only going to be one day this year. It will be from 7:30–4:30 on the 27th, with some new vendors there as well as our usuals. Another change is we will not be having a lunch banquet this year. We are going to do the awards at the kickoff to the conference, and there will be time for lunch on your own before the afternoon sessions. Remember to nominate your organization! There are 3 categories: Field of the Year, Golf Course of the Year, and Turf Site of the Year. You could win prizes and fame! The last item we are excited about is the theme for this year. We will of course be covering the topics related to pesticide recertification, but after that we have some workshops scheduled. The theme for both of these is “The Future of Turfgrass Education” and one session is a round-table with turf experts and schools that have started turfgrass training or certification courses, and the second is a “Train the Trainer” event with GCSAA. Both will be outstanding, and it is an issue that affects everyone in our industry. We will also be offering professional development points for GCSAA. We can’t wait to see you all in Hot Springs in January 2022! Stay safe and healthy. Happy Holidays! Richard Covert ATA President
ATA OFFICERS Richard Covert, President Baptist Health Systems Richard.covert@baptist-health.org Kyle Sanders, Immediate Past President Sanders Ground Essentials 501-315-9395 kylesanders@sandersground.com Jeff Haskins, Treasurer Paragould Country Club 870-780-5883 Ja1116@earthlink.net Shelby Hanson Executive Director sgouche@uark.edu Pat Berger, Director Emeritus University of Arkansas • 479-575-6887 pberger@uark.edu Charlie Bowen, Director Emeritus Arkansas Hydroseed • 501-315-7333 charliebowen@yahoo.com Seth Dunlap Arkansas State Plant Board seth.dunlap@agriculture.arkansas.gov 501-225-1598 Mark Brown Nabholz • 501-749-7459 rmbrown2@ualr.edu Rodney Fisher Life Member, Founding Member Agra Turf, Inc. • 501-268-7036 agrarod@yahoo.com Ron Fisher Agra Turf, Inc. • 501-268-7036 agraron@yahoo.com Steve Ibbotson Conway Parks & Rec. • 501-328-4173 Steve.ibbotson@cityofconway.org Josh Landreth Ace of Blades • 479-530-7001 aceofblades@cox.net Mark Mowrey, Director Emeritus Oaklawn • 501-538-1600 bntgrns@yahoo.com Guy Oyler Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation goyler@jerrypate.com • 501-317-5980 Rodger Pevehouse Life Member Michael Rush Rush Lawn Care • 501-279-8980 mrush@rushlawn.com Ricky Self Cypress Creek r.self@yahoo.com • 501-605-8000
4 • A R K A N S A S T U R F G R A S S • Winter 2021
