January / February 2022
A Publication of the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina
LOBO ZOYSIAGRASS NC State Turfgrass Releases
PL U S
™
Board Member Spotlight on
WIL SUTTON
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Table of Contents January / February 2022
10 C O V ER
STO RY
N C STATE TURFGRASS RELEASES LOBO ™ ZOYSIAGRASS
F EA T U RE AR TICLE S
MOR E FE ATUR E S
16 Board Member Spotlight
From the President Index of Advertisers
on Wil Sutton
22 U.S. Sod Checkoff is Working Hard to “Bring Grass to Life”
TCNC Deluxe Members NC State Turf Team NCCTP Program Welcome, New Member Calendar of Events
6 7 8 8 24 27 27
FIND THIS ISSUE, PODCASTS, EVENTS AND MORE: THETURFZONE.COM
10
16
22
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January/February 2022
WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED NORTH CAROLINA
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CARY
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MOORESVILLE
RALEIGH
1900 N Carolina 55 Cary, NC 27519 919-836-0492
12600 Downs Cir Pineville, NC 28134 704-525-8873
583 Jeffress Road Mills River, NC 28759 828-681-5000
1060 River Highway Mooresville, NC 28117 980-444-2347
1225 Farmers Market Dr Raleigh, North Carolina 27603 919-836-0492
From the President
North Carolina Turfgrass is the official publication of the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina 110 Horizon Drive Suite 210 Raleigh, NC 27615 919.459.2070 Fax 919.459.2075 www.ncturfgrass.org
Cultivate Business
As
2022 begins, the landscapes are changing and reminding us that out of change comes appreciation for what we have and opportunities for future growth. TCNC appreciates you! Our members have excelled at caring for the world around us when so many aspects of our lives have been challenging. Our goal at TCNC is to continue to rise to the challenge of providing opportunities and benefits for our members. Our Knowledge Series launched in 2021 bringing us back into the education landscape and allowing us to fulfill our mission of providing opportunities for you, our members, to learn and grow. Thank you! For our endeavor to be successful, we need the support and participation from TCNC members like you. The interest in the Knowledge Series has allowed us to look ahead to new opportunities in 2022. Caring for turf is not a one-dimensional occupation. For our companies to be successful, we not only need technical knowledge, we need to cultivate business as well. Therefore, TCNC will be focusing the Knowledge Series on Business Acumen in 2022 to help us all regenerate excitement for our growth opportunities. The three-part series will look at Professionalism and its impact on your business. TCNC is proud to be YOUR professional organization and we look forward to working with you to improve our trade and our businesses in the year ahead. On behalf of the Board of Directors, at the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina, thank you for a great 2021 and for being a part of our future growth.
Kevin Herrmann 2021 TCNC President
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Marcy Cottle IMI Association Executives info@ncturfgrass.org 919.459.2070 Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, TN 37064 615.790.3718 Fax 615.794.4524 info@leadingedgecommunications.com
TCNC OFFICERS PRESIDENT Kevin Herrmann Fairway Green Inc. Raleigh, NC
VICE PRESIDENT Wilson Sutton Falling Creek Golf Club Kinston, NC
PAST PRESIDENT Gene Queen Nature's Select Winston Salem, NC
D IG I TA L MARK E TPL ACE Download your favorite QR reader to your phone, and scan the code to learn more about this company.
TREASURER Jonathan Richardson, NCCTP NCCTP Chairman Green Resource Dunn, NC
DIRECTORS Brian Beane Nature's Select Premium Turf Services Winston-Salem, NC Damon Dean Keith Hills Country Club Lillington, NC
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January/February 2022
Index of Advertisers Amick's Superstore............... Inside Front Cover www.amickssuperstore.com Beam Clay....................................................... 27 www.beamclay.com Buy Sod, Inc...................................................... 7 www.buysod.com Carolina Green Corp....................................... 15 www.cgcfields.com Carolina Turf Farms, Inc................................. 23 carolinaturffarms.com Divots, Inc......................................................... 6 www.divotssand.com Green Resource................................Back Cover www.green-resource.com Kesmac............................................................ 11 www.brouwerkesmac.com
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO PLAY WITH
Mid-Atlantic STIHL.......................................... 17 www.stihldealers.com Modern Turf, Inc............................................. 15 www.modernturf.com Morgan Sand Company.................................. 20 www.morgansandco.com Progressive Turf Equipment Inc..................... 13 www.progressiveturfequip.com Quality Turf, Inc.............................................. 27 www.qualityturfnc.com
Neil Jones, Territory Manager – Virginia & Eastern NC njones@buysod.com • 910-975-0002 Mark Harris – Territory Manager – Western NC/SC mharris@buysod.com • 910-992-6519
Smith Turf & Irrigation...................................... 3 www.smithturf.com Southern Agricultural Insecticides, Inc............. 9 www.southernag.com Southern Seeds, Inc........................................ 19 www.southernseedsinc.com Southern Specialty Equipment....................... 27 www.ssequip.net Super-Sod.......................................................... 5 www.supersod.com The Turf Zone........................................... 13, 21 www.theturfzone.com Turf Mountain Sod, Inc................................... 27 www.turfmountain.com Vandemark Farms........................................... 18 www.vandemarkfarms.com
A P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e T u r f g r a s s C o u n c i l o f No rth C aro l i n a 7
TCNC Deluxe Members
NC State Turf Team
Companies wishing to support TCNC with multiple members can join as Deluxe Members. Deluxe Memberships can be purchased in one of three tiers: 1–5 employees; 6–10 employees; or 11+ employees.
CROP AND SOIL SCIENCES
If you'd like to learn more about the Deluxe Membership, please contact the TCNC office at 919.459.2070 or info@ncturfgrass.org.
Thank You to Our DELUXE MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS The Biltmore Company Barefoot & Associates Inc.
North Carolina A&T State University
Buy Sod Inc
Pennington Seed – ProTurf Division
Carolina Farm Credit Carolina Green Corp. City of Raleigh Parks & Recreation
Quality Turf Smith Turf & Irrigation
Southern Ag
Fairway Green
Southern Seeds Inc
Givens Estates Green Resource JRM Inc. Keith Hills Country Club Leap Frog Landcare, Inc. McConnell Golf LLC Murray's Landscape Maintenance and Horticultural Services
8 North Caro lina Turf gra ss
Emily Erickson Lecturer 919.513.2034 emily_erickson@ncsu.edu
Dr. Rob Richardson Associate Professor & Extension Specialist 919.515.5653 rob_richardson@ncsu.edu Dr. Thomas Rufty Jr. Professor 919.515.3660 tom_rufty@ncsu.edu
Matt Martin Extension Associate, Turfgrass 910.675.2314 matthew_martin@ncsu.edu
Dr. Wei Shi Professor 919.513.4641 wei_shi@ncsu.edu
Dr. Susana Milla-Lewis Associate Professor 919.515.3196 susana_milla-lewis@ncsu.edu
Dr. Fred Yelverton Professor & Extension Specialist 919.515.5639 fred_yelverton@ncsu.edu
Dr. Grady Miller Professor & Extension Specialist 919.515.5656 grady_miller@ncsu.edu
Sod Solutions Inc.
Country Boy Landscaping Inc
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Dr. Charles Peacock Professor 919.515.3667 charles_peacock@ncsu.edu
Dr. Travis Gannon Assistant Professor 919.515.2647 travis_gannon@ncsu.edu
Nature's Select Premium Turf Services
The Budd Group
Dr. Richard Cooper Professor 919.515.7600 rich_cooper@ncsu.edu
Town of Cary Public Works Town of Garner Triangle Turf and Ornamentals
ENTOMOLOGY AND PLANT PATHOLOGY Dr. Terri Billeisen Extension Associate 919.515.7464 tlhoctor@ncsu.edu
Lee Butler Extension Coordinator 919.513.3878 elbutler@ncsu.edu
Dr. Rick Brandenburg Wm. Neal Reynolds Professor 919.515.8876 rick_brandenburg@ncsu.edu
Dr. James Kerns Associate Professor 919.513.4820 jpkerns@ncsu.edu
Turf Mountain Sod Inc
HORTICULTURE SCIENCE
Vandemark Farms LLC
Dr. Danesha Seth Carley Director, Southern IPM Center & Associate Professor 919.513.8189 danesha_carley@ncsu.edu
Wake Forest University Weed Man
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January/February 2022
Southern Agricultural Insecticides, Inc. is a distributor of pesticides, fertilizers, potting soils, and horticultural supplies with locations in Florida and North Carolina. MANUFACTURERS OF… Blue Colorant
Soluble 10–30–20
Chelated 5% Iron
Soluble 30–7–14
Chlorpyrifos 2.5% G
Soluble 20–20–20
Chlorpyrifos Mole
Spreader Sticker
Mole Cricket Bait
Surfactant for
Defoamer
Herbicides
Latron B–1956
Tank Cleaner
Methylated Seed Oil
Turf Green
Snail Bait
Tweak
Soil Acidifier
12–0–0–6% iron
Soil Wetting Agent
DISTRIBUTORS FOR… AMVAC Andersons Aquatrols BASF Bayer BioSafe Systems Bioworks Certis Corteva Agriscience FMC Gowan LebanonTurf Milliken Milorganite
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GOLF COURSE SALES STAFF Kieth Utt — West Central Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (941) 809–1853 Jim Wells — West Central Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (941) 720–2712 Bruce Bach — Southwest Florida ....................... (239) 989–9947 Roger Welker — East Coast Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (772) 260–0282 Kevin Downing — South Florida. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (561) 427–4501 Andrew Wampler — Western Carolinas . . . . . . . . . . . (828) 674–2594 Bo Miller — Central North Carolina. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (704) 560–1852
Boone, NC (828) 264-8843 Hendersonville, NC (828) 692-2233 Palmetto, FL (941) 722-3285
Brandon Hicks — Central North Carolina . . . . . . (336) 906-0803
FREE DELIVERY AVAILABLE
www.SOUTHERNAG.com
COV ER S T O R Y
N
NC STATE TURFGRASS RELEASES
LOBO
™
ZOYSIAGRASS Warm-Season Turfgrass Breeder Presents Zoysiagrass with Novel Traits
orth Carolina State University’s Turfgrass Breeding and Genetics program, under the direction of Dr. Susana Milla-Lewis, has released Lobo™ Zoysiagrass (experimental name XZ 14069). Researchers selected Lobo from hundreds of nursery mates for its unusual combination of aggressive establishment and stress tolerance. These traits were later confirmed by six years of multi-location trials under low input conditions. Lobo Zoysia will be exclusively licensed through Sod Solutions for commercial production and marketing. This release is NC State’s first warm-season turfgrass cultivar from Milla-Lewis’s breeding program that started in 2009.
RAPIDLY EXPANDING ZOYSIAGRASS USE Zoysiagrasses are warm-season, perennial turfgrasses often used in home lawns, commercial landscapes, and golf courses across the southern U.S. They are generally known for their low maintenance requirements but slow establishment. Lobo is unique because it is fast to establish, drought-tolerant, and maintains good color and quality under very low inputs. “This medium-fine zoysiagrass cultivar is simultaneously well adapted for infrequently managed areas like golf course roughs, roadsides, and airport in-fields but also for higher-end uses like home lawns, commercial landscapes and golf course fairways where aesthetics are equally important as maintenance. It’s truly a unicorn,” said Milla-Lewis.
Turfgrass breeder Susana Milla-Lewis discusses Lobo’s traits at the 2021 NC State Turfgrass Field Day.
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4000-24R
_/
50 YEARS OF HARVESTING | FORGING A HISTORY OF INNOVATION In 1972 Gerry Brouwer’s harvesting vision revolutionized and changed the sod industry forever. Long ago the standards were set for quality, reliability, and customer service cementing the Brouwer Kesmac legacy for years to come.
@BROUWERKESMAC BROUWERKESMAC.COM
Cover Story | continued
STANDOUT PERFORMANCE COAST TO COAST Lobo Zoysia has been a consistent top performer in roadside trials by the NC Department of Transportation and also a National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) specialty trial. These Professional Golf Association (PGA) funded NTEP trials are currently conducted at eight sites from Florida to New Mexico. The trials are highly competitive and include other warm-season grass species like bermudagrass and buffalograss, known for their superior drought tolerance. Lobo repeatedly received top performance marks at these climatically diverse locations. “Zoysiagrass is frequently grown in the southeastern U.S. but minimally in the West. This line shows the broader possibility of zoysiagrass use, especially in areas with significant drought stress or water restrictions,” Milla-Lewis said.
NC State hosts both warm-season and cool-season NTEP trials at the Lake Wheeler Road Field Lab.
RELENTLESS PRAISE Select NC sod producers, Sod Solutions, and the North Carolina Sod Producers Association (NCSPA) helped support the development of Lobo by teaming up to form Turf Research North Carolina (TRNC) in 2016. Growers made financial contributions over a six-year period to fund research and development of Lobo and other materials yet to come out of the program. All NCSPA participating growers contributing to the program will have exclusive access to the grasses when they are released. Several of these sod growers hosted 200 square feet trial blocks of Lobo with impressive establishment results. One grower noted that stolons had already rooted at five points only three days after planting. “This grass is relentless,” he commented to Milla-Lewis. Lobo Zoysia production will be certified by NC Crop Improvement to ensure the purity of this genetically unique turfgrass. Participating sod farms are steadily increasing the production of Lobo and limited amounts of this zoysiagrass will be available for purchase in the summer of 2022.
The Lobo cultivar was tested with many others in low input conditions on NC roadsides where it exhibited quick establishment.
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January/February 2022
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A Pu b l i c a t i o n o f t h e T u r f g r a s s C o u n c i l o f No rth C aro l i n a 13
Cover Story | continued
CULTIVATING EXCELLENCE “Dr. Milla-Lewis is one of the top breeders internationally,” said Tobey Wagner, president of Sod Solutions. “There was no hesitation to help support her program. We think Lobo will be one of the most versatile grasses on the market because of its many improved qualities but also because it will be one of the easiest cultivars out there to maintain with minimal upkeep.” Milla-Lewis’s turfgrass breeding program focuses on droughttolerant warm-season species and tall fescue. She expects to release a new St. Augustinegrass cultivar in 2022. “CALS takes great pride in our plant breeding program, which has a rich history of plant improvements that benefit stakeholders around our state, nation and world,” said Steve Lommel, NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Associate Dean of Research. “The release of ‘Lobo’ provides a zoysiagrass cultivar with new and improved traits for home, commercial and recreational applications in a green industry intent on sustainability.”
Lobo impressed both breeders and growers with its ability to quickly produce long runners with minimal inputs.
NEED MORE INNOVATION? Crop and Soil Sciences’ research impacts citizens and students from the mountains to the coast and everywhere turfgrass grows. Follow how our innovations affect agriculture and environmental science by joining our weekly newsfeed. If you are a student interested in turfgrass science, investigate our undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including a deep dive into our turfgrass program. Then join us for a guided email tour of our department and university. Enhancing NC’s greenspaces through plant breeding is just part of how we are growing the future.
Lobo Zoysia (experimental name XZ14069) will be exclusively licensed through Sod Solutions for commercial production and marketing. 14 North Carolina Turf gr a ss
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A group examines a newly planted sample plot of Lobo Zoysia at NC State’s 2021 Turfgrass Field Day.
SAND BASED SOD WITH INFILTRATION RATE OF 11 IN/HR
www.cgcfields.com TENSILE SRENGTH 88% GREATER THAN 1” THICK CUT SOD SHEAR STRENGTH 43% GREATER THAN 1” THICK CUT SOD
A Pu b l i c a t i o n o f t h e T u r f g r a s s C o u n c i l o f No rth C aro l i n a 15
TCNC BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:
WILSON “WIL” SUTTON V ICE PRESIDEN T
What company do you work for and what is your title? I am the Golf Course Superintendent at Falling Creek Country Club in Kinston, NC.
How many years have you been in this position? I have been at Falling Creek for almost 3 years now.
" Find the career path that you love.
How did you decide to pursue a career in turfgrass management?
For me, it took getting out of golf
It started in high school when I was trying to think of a career path that would allow me to work outdoors. My original idea was to work in landscaping, until I fell in love with the golf course.
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to realize just how much I loved it and how important it was to me."
January/February 2022
Member Spotlight | continued
What path led you to your current position?
What is the best part of your job?
I got my Turfgrass Management degree from North Carolina State University. Before going to school, I spent a summer at Kinston Country Club as an intern just to gain a bit of experience in managing turf. After graduating, I remained at KCC before accepting the Assistant Superintendent job at the Emerald Golf Club in New Bern, NC. From there, I spent some time as the Production Manager for U.S. Lawns of Greenville, NC, but I inevitably realized that managing a golf course was my true calling. I was rehired at KCC where I became the Superintendent. After spending 4 years in that position, I decided to make the move across town to Falling Creek Country Club where I am today.
The best part of my job is being able to see the sun rise every morning. To me, there is nothing better than seeing a beautiful sunrise on a job that you love.
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What inspired you to become a part of TCNC? I was inspired to become part of the TCNC because of all the good things it does to help promote our industry. With its many educational opportunities and its activism within the green industry, it made me excited to join this great association.
January/February 2022
Why did you decide to join the Board of Directors?
Do you have a mentor in the industry?
I decided to become involved with the Board of Directors because I just wanted to try to contribute and give back to the industry that has given me so much joy over the years.
Dean Baker has been my mentor for my entire career. He was the superintendent at KCC that hired me out of high school and was instrumental in my development as a turfgrass manager and my love for golf. I had the honor of serving as his superintendent when he became the General Manager for KCC. Dean is one of kindest and most knowledgeable turf managers I know and I am extremely thankful to have him as a mentor and as a friend.
What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the turfgrass industry right now? I think the biggest issue facing the turfgrass industry right now, along with many other industries, is a lack of employees. Finding and keeping quality employees these days has become a struggle.
CONCLUDED ON PAGE 20
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A Pu b l i c a t i o n o f t h e T u r f g r a s s C o u n c i l o f No rth C aro l i n a 19
Member Spotlight | continued
What do you do in your free time? In my free time I enjoy grilling, playing golf, and spending time with my wife Bethany and my 2-year-old son Huff.
What would your advice be for people entering the turfgrass industry now? Advice that I would give people entering the turfgrass industry would be: 1. Find the career path that you love. For me, it took getting out of golf to realize just how much I loved it and how important it was to me. So don’t be afraid to search and find what truly makes you happy. 2. Do not let your work get in the way of your other obligations. It is very easy for one to let their work consume them and miss out on time that could be spent with family. The turf will be there tomorrow.
The Turfgrass Council of North Carolina (TCNC) serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, North Carolina Turfgrass, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or TCNC members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this bimonthly publication. Copyright © 2021 by the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina. North Carolina Turfgrass is published bi-monthly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of TCNC. Presorted standard postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: North Carolina Turfgrass allows reprinting of material published here. Permission requests should be directed to TCNC. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising:
For
display
and
classified
advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Suite 200, Franklin, TN 37064, 615.790.3718, Fax 615.794.4524.
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B A S E D O N D ATA A S O F N OV E M B E R 2021.
FEATURE
U.S. SOD CHECKOFF IS WORKING HARD TO
“ BRIN G GR A S S T O L I F E ”
S
od producers in the U.S. have been discussing the benefits of creating a sod checkoff since 1996, but only in recent years has there been more intentional discussion around how the industry can begin that process. The goal of any checkoff program is to increase product demand and/or expand markets. For the sod industry specifically, the check- off program will seek to Bring Grass to Life and increase value and profitability per square foot. This can include programs that will increase preference for sod, promote sod to consumers nationally and conduct research to educate and inform industry regulators and politicians. Dr. Casey Reynolds, TPI Executive Director, has been a powerful voice behind the effort, rallying the industry around the benefits of an industry-wide checkoff. “The sod checkoff will benefit every producer and farm by increasing visibility and value of sod that includes driving preference for natural grass sod with both consumers and customers, and by uniting the U.S. sod industry to protect and even grow market share in the face of threats from misinformation, building codes that seek to reduce our market, grass bans, and even competitors like artificial turf and others that compete for our space,” said Reynolds.
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HOW WOULD A SOD CHECKOFF IMPACT YOU? Checkoff programs are industry-funded initiatives that help improve the market position of agricultural products. A sod checkoff would help showcase the value of natural grass in several ways, including the following: The checkoff can help fight against regulations like grass bans, fertilizer bans, invasive species lists, building codes, etc. Marketing can help combat competitive products in the marketplace. esearch can help gain insights into generational attitudes R towards lawns, which are currently shifting in the wrong direction, and consumer messaging can educate consumers on the benefits of natural grass.
January/February 2022
cientific research on ecosystem serS vices can change the narrative around lawns and other green spaces and showcase the value that natural grass brings to urban and suburban areas. A network can be established for monitoring headlines for negative media and responding to them swiftly, effectively, and in unison with one voice.
Your New Go-To Grass
Marketing tools can help farms access and promote their products locally, to achieve a consistent message across the industry. “I see the sod checkoff advancing the industry, positively impacting my own sod farm and creating a legacy for future generations to love their lawn,” said Diane Mischel with DeBuck’s Sod Farm in Michigan. “As individual farms, our message is just a voice in the crowd, but the sod checkoff will be a megaphone, funneling our message into a clear powerful channel.”
GETTING THE PROCESS STARTED As of January 2021, a draft order that outlines the key points needed for an efficient, successful checkoff program has been written and submitted to the USDA for review. Once approved, it will be published in the U.S. Federal Register for public viewing and commentary prior to a vote in spring of 2022. If passed by a majority vote of U.S. sod producers, the program will be implemented and governed by sod producers who are nominated by fellow producers. This group will invest checkoff dollars in national and consumer marketing collateral, agronomic and consumer research, promotional kits that can be customized by growers and customer and regulator education and outreach, to help increase value and profitability per square foot of sod for the U.S. sod industry. The proposed assessment rate is 1/10 of one penny for every square foot of sod sold. With a checkoff, the U.S. sod industry can bring producers across the country together to change the narrative around the benefits of natural grass. Please consider voting yes in the upcoming referendum, so we can finally give our industry the unified voice it needs to protect and grow markets for many years to come.
Developed by the turfgrass experts at Oklahoma State University, Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass pushes the geographic boundaries of bermudagrass into the northernmost reaches of the Transition Zone. Highly cold tolerant, the name “Tahoma” comes from the Native American word that means “frozen water.”
Use Tahoma 31 to design golf courses that are beautiful, sustainable, easier to maintain and play great.
All claims based on research results from National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) trials & Oklahoma State University. Visit our website for full reports. See Tahoma 31 in the Transition Zone for yourself at: Brook Hollow Golf Club, Dallas, TX (fairways, tees, roughs) Chillicothe Country Club, Ohio (fairways) Liberty National Golf Club, New Jersey (driving range tee)
COLD
PLAYABILITY
DROUGHT
Plant Tahoma 31 further north for a strong base in the winter that fights wilt in the sumner.
Thick, dense turf. ¼ to ½-inch mowing height for tees, fairways.
Use less water. Takes 18% less water than TifTuf.
COLOR
QUALITY
SHADE
Blue-green most of the year. Golden in dormancy. Earliest green-up for spring color.
Rated #1 for beauty and resilience. Heals fast from divots & wear.
Got trees? Handles up to 63% shade.
Naval Academy Golf Club, Maryland (fairways, tees) Congressional Country Club, Maryland (8-acre driving range) Southern Hills Country Club, Oklahoma (collars)
CAROLINA TURF FARMS PO Box 850, Raeford, NC 28376 910-875-6141 ncsodman@carolinaturffarms.com carolinaturffarms.com
If you are interested in learning more about the US Sod Checkoff, please visit www.sodcheckoff.org.
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NCCTP Program
Fast Facts about the NCCTP Enrollment Requirements: old a current TCNC membership. If not currently a H member, go to www.ncturfgrass.org and click ‘JOIN NOW’ to join online or download an application. Have a minimum of one full year of work experience in the turfgrass industry. Agree to the Certified Turfgrass Professional Code of Ethics as detailed on the application form. Submit: • A current and valid NC Pesticide Applicators license •A completed NCCTP application (current TCNC members may apply online). • NCCTP Program Application: $150 • Self-Study Materials: $50 • Exam Fee: $50
Become a NC Certified Turfgrass Professional!
The
North Carolina Certified Turfgrass Professional (NCCTP) program is a comprehensive program developed to enhance the technical competency of turfgrass professionals, while elevating their professional image, that of your business and of the turfgrass management industry. Administered by the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina, the NCCTP designation confirms your expertise in turfgrass management to prospective customers and your peers.
Curriculum and Exam:
Reasons to Begin Earning Your NCCTP Designation Today The NCCTP program increases and enhances your turfgrass industry knowledge, career, and business development through a course of study of in-depth coverage of the science of turfgrass management. The NCCTP designation offers immediate confidence and credibility of turfgrass management practices to customers and prospective employers. Promote and market yourself as a North Carolina Certified Turfgrass Professional. • Use the NCCTP logo on your business materials. • Use NCCTP pins, uniform patches, and vehicle decals. • Your TCNC Member Directory listing is distinguished with the NCCTP logo.
We Are Partnered With The NC State Turfgrass Professional Short Course The NC State Turfgrass Professional Short Course, a comprehensive turfgrass education program, is offered at select NC State Extension offices and at NC State University. This Short Course offers a full curriculum of the science of turfgrass management as well as Continuing Education Credits for NCDACS Pesticide and NCLCLB Landscape Contractors’ license holders, and it will help you prepare for the NCCTP exam. This Short Course is recommended but not required to take the NCCTP exam.
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Curriculum covers nine core areas: Turfgrass Characteristics; Establishing Turfgrass; Soils & Nutrient Management; Cultural Practices; Pests & Integrated Pest Management; Pesticides & Plant Growth Regulators; Landscape Safety & Pesticide Use; Calculations & Calibration; Turfgrass Business & Economics. Candidates have six months from the date of their enrollment acceptance to complete the NCCTP exam. Candidates have six hours to complete the exam and must score 80% or more on each section to receive the NCCTP designation. Exams can be taken at the TCNC office in Raleigh during normal business hours, or arrangements can be made at your local NC State Extension location. Exams will not be graded if any application information is missing or if TCNC membership status cannot be confirmed. Please allow two to three weeks for exam grading and reports. Upon successful completion of the exam, candidates will receive communication with their results and either next step options or their graduation packet.
Maintenance Requirements: Maintain a current TCNC membership as a means of demonstrating ongoing support for the industry. Submit an annual $50 renewal fee, which supports the NCCTP program and related promotional activities. Designation year is the same as the TCNC membership year, from July 1st to June 30th. Hold a current NC Pesticide Applicator’s License. Subscribe to, actively support and uphold the TCNC Certification Code of Ethics. The NC Certified Turfgrass Professional designation (NCCTP), the NCCTP logo and related programs materials are the trademarked property of the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina and cannot be used without TCNC’s written permission. For additional information, contact TCNC at (919) 459-2070.
January/February 2022
NCCTP Certification Program
ENROLLMENT APPLICATION Name___________________________________________________________________ Phone_____________________________________________________ Address_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City_____________________________________________________________________ State____________ Zip_____________________________________ E-Mail_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ TCNC Membership #*____________________________________________________ Pesticide Applicator License #_______________________________
QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS Please read the items below and check each one that is true for you.
MEMBERSHIP: I am now, or I am applying here to be, a member in good standing of the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina. PESTICIDE LICENSE: I hold a current North Carolina Pesticide Ground Applicator License with subclass L, turf, and ornamental (or equivalent from another state). EXPERIENCE: I have completed a minimum of one full year of turfgrass industry professional work experience. EXAM: Upon acceptance into the program, I plan to complete my study and take the required exam within six months. DUTY: I have initialed the following page of this application to show that I strongly support and willingly subscribe to the Certified Turfgrass Professional Code of Ethics, and I pledge to uphold the credibility and integrity of the program. CONTINUING EDUCATION: I agree to successfully complete additional future curriculum materials or sections that may be required as a result of new technology or regulation. Company________________________________________________________________ Title______________________________________________________ Supervisor_______________________________________________________________ Supervisor’s Phone_________________________________________ Supervisor’s E-Mail___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Company’s Address__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City_____________________________________________________________________ State____________ Zip_____________________________________ Work Experience_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Describe your turfgrass industry professional work experience; one full year is required to apply.
NCCTP Application Fee: $150, Study Materials: $50, Exam Fee: $50, TCNC Dues (call for amount, based on date) TOTAL $____________________
Check Number__________________ (payable to TCNC) Credit Card:
AMEX
Visa
MC
Discover
Billing Zip Code____________________
Credit Card #____________________________________________________________ Exp. Date______________________ Sec Code____________ Name on Card___________________________________________________________ Signature______________________________________________ By signing this application, I verify that all the information is true and correct, I acknowledge and assume full responsibility for the charges on this application, and I agree to honor and abide by the terms of this non-refundable payment.
Signature__________________________________________________________________________________ Date____________________________________
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NCCTP Program | continued
CERTIFIED TURFGRASS PROFESSIONAL
CODE OF ETHICS Please read and initial each section below that you support and commit to uphold.
DUTY TO THE PUBLIC Conduct service first and foremost with regards to the safety, health, and welfare of the general public. Provide service, recommendations, and information based upon honest experience, and scientifically accurate and factual knowledge.
I AGREE
DUTY TO THE ENVIRONMENT Operate in such a manner to protect and preserve our environment. Use and monitor all equipment, products, and materials in a manner consistent with the label and safe for the environment.
I AGREE
DUTY TO THE LAWS OF OUR LAND Abide by all laws and regulations affecting the turf industry and support the enforcement of these laws.
I AGREE
DUTY TO OUR FELLOW PROFESSIONALS Refrain from the use of false, misleading, or deceptive marketing and advertising practices. Practice and insist upon sound business management practices. Maintain the highest standard of personal conduct to reflect credit and add stature to the turf industry. Recognize the importance of strong relationships within the industry. Abstain from untruthful debasement, or encroachment upon, the professional reputation or practice of another turfgrass professional.
I AGREE
DUTY TO THE ASSOCIATION Participate in association activities and events to help further the profession. Abstain from any unfair exploitation of my association, industry, or profession.
I AGREE
By signing this Code of Ethics, I agree to follow the duties and intentions outlined above, and I commit to supporting and upholding these ethics with consistency and integrity.
Printed Name________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature__________________________________________________________________________________ Date____________________________________ Please Return Entire NCCTP Application To TCNC Via: email: info@ncturfgrass.org fax: (919) 459-2075 or mail: TCNC, 110 Horizon Dr. Ste 210, Raleigh, NC 27615
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January/February 2022
News from TCNC New Member Daniel Culbreth Orange County Parks and Recreation Efland, NC
Calendar of Events February 3, 2022 TCNC Annual Meeting & Knowledge Series Virtual Platform
May 5, 2022 TCNC Knowledge Series Virtual Platform
September 15, 2022 TCNC Knowledge Series Virtual Platform
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