4 minute read
Member Spotlight
Member Spotlight
on Dan Johnson
Groundskeeper
Quabbin Regional School District
Barre, Massachusetts
Where did you go to school? What was your major?
I went to Stockbridge School of Agriculture and majored in Landscape Contracting. After completing my associates degree, I received my bachelor’s degree in Plant and Soil Sciences within the University of Massachusetts.
How did you get your start in the sports turf industry?
After spending 18 years in the nursery industry, I decided to change my career path and began my next step by accepting a Grounds/Athletic position at Northfield Mount Hermon in Gill, MA. This is where I gained a lot of my knowledge in turf management, athletic field setup and grounds maintenance.
Where did you go from there?
Since Northfield Mount Hermon I accepted a position at Quabbin Regional Middle/High School. It is here that I brought my previous work experiences to maintain 30 acres of grounds and athletic fields.
We maintain two baseball fields, two softball fields, four soccer fields, two field hockey fields, a football field, track, and a cross country course as well as the landscape.
Who helped you the most when you first started out in the sports turf industry?
A few people have helped me out tremendously in the turf field positions. Mike Henderson was the Assistant Director of Grounds at Northfield Mount Hermon when I began my career there. He introduced me to a lot of turf maintenance techniques, field setup guidelines as well as many other experiences.
Since working at QRSD I have met others that have helped me along the way. One of which is Scott Mackintosh from Atlantic Golf and Turf. He has been a wealth of knowledge in our fertilizer and seed needs and is always a great person to talk and ask questions regarding the turf.
What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?
Some of the best advice that I have received is to take pride in your work. Do the best you can and the results will show when you are done. After a long day at work, it is always rewarding when practices or games begin, and the fields are full of athletes.
What’s your favorite thing about your current position/responsibilities?
Some of my favorite things at my current position are trying to make an improvement on all of our fields. I have been learning every day and trying new techniques and methods to improve efficiency with our limited resources to improve turf quality. It is always challenging trying to get our daily maintenance completed along with additional aerating, overseeding, fertilizing etc.
Is there a recent project that you have been able to complete?
We recently regraded and added new infield mix to our varsity softball field. Projects like this are challenging to accomplish with just two of us, with all our other daily tasks. Other projects that are on the list would be to start implementing a top-dressing program on some of our fields.
What advice would you share with people starting out in sports turf management today?
My advice would be not to be afraid of getting your hands dirty. Take on both old and new ideas and to never stop learning. I have always found that when others are working for me, I try to work along with them.
What do you find most beneficial about being a NESTMA member?
Attending NESTMA’s conference, meetings, and training sessions allows me to talk to others in the industry. I learn what products, equipment, and maintenance techniques others are using and what may or may not be working. It is always nice to see on-field equipment demonstrations as well as proper maintenance seminars on turf or baseball/softball fields.
Please share a bit about your family life and/or what you enjoy doing in your free time?
I have been married for more than 25 years. We have two daughters. One is a junior in High School and the other is a junior at UMass majoring in Horticultural Science. Our family enjoys our annual summer vacation to Maine and spending time with other family members. Some of my special interests are watching sporting events, hiking, snowshoeing, woodworking, and carpentry projects.
