From the mta president, Al Osteen
Fighting the Good Fight W
ell at least it dries up quicker after it rains now. It sure has been wet around here for the past 9 months or so. Of course it will now turn blistering hot and dry. I know everyone is getting very busy with the grass growing, and working on making your facilities look their best. Best of luck to everyone out there fighting the good fight. Please remember to consider all of our sponsors when making purchases for your business and remember how much we appreciate all they do to support MTA. Our friend and MTA colleague Wayne Philley is retiring at the end of June. I first met Wayne Philly in the fall of 1986 when I worked for him and Dr. Jeff Krans at the MSU North Farm helping to maintain the turf research area — hard to believe that was over 30 years ago now. Wayne has been a long time member of the MTA and has served as MTA Secretary/ Treasurer for the past 15 years. He has gone over and above supporting MTA and has done an excellent job managing our funds and tending to our financial obligations. We are excited that Dr. Barry Stewart, of the MSU Turf Team, has agreed to take on this very important role for us. Wayne has been involved in all aspects of MTA through the years and has helped it to flourish and continue to grow into the respected turf management organization it is today. Join me in wishing all the best to Wayne and his family in his retirement. His research and contributions to the turfgrass community have been extensive and impactful, and his dedication to his profession, and MSU, are second to none. Myself, all of the MTA members, and the entire turf industry, will miss Wayne’s guidance, participation and especially his cheerful and enthusiastic presence at our gatherings. Next up is the August 20th MSU Turf Field Day. Please make plans to come to this event. Turf equipment demonstrations, information on what’s new in MSU turf research, and educational seminars will be on the agenda. Don’t forget to recommend joining MTA to anyone in our industry that might be new to the area. Please let them know that their membership supports research, education, scholarships, and good networking opportunities when working in the turf profession. Hoping everyone is having a good turf management season!
Al Osteen
Mississippi Turfgrass Association Box 9555 MS State, MS 39762 Office: (662) 325-0517 Fax: (662) 325-2705 www.msturfassociation.org Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, TN 37064 Office: (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 info@leadingedgecommunications.com Mississippi Turfgrass Editor James D. McCurdy, Ph.D.
MTA OFFICERS President Al Osteen (601) 214-9907 Vice President Jeremy Tate (662) 209-0023 Secretary/Treasurer Wayne Philley Mississippi State University (662) 325-2728 Past President David Leon Turf & Aquatic Specialties, LLC (601) 529-2458 Administrative Secretary Linda Wells Mississippi State University Box 9555 MS State, MS 39762 Office: (662) 325-0517 Cell: (662) 769-7558 lmw218@pss.msstate.edu
Directors
Paul Battle Battle Sod Farm (662) 661-2040 Keair Edwards City of Gulfport (228) 861-5641 David Jumper Ole Miss Golf Course (662) 915-5181 Justin Lanford Starkville Country Club (662) 822-5806 Rob Webb GreenPoint Ag (601) 594-5798 Reuben Wedgeworth Agri-AFC (601) 498-0750
Faculty Advisors Jay McCurdy, Ph.D. (662) 325-2331 6 • Mississippi Turfgrass • Summer 2019
Barry Stewart, Ph.D. (662) 325-2725
