VTF Report

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…

Ecclesiastes 3:1

I got involved with the Foundation in the early 90’s because my husband was heavily involved with the Council and our lives were very much intertwined in the work and social events of the turfgrass industry. We camped with ODGCSA, took our vacations wherever the turf conferences convened and were enriched by the many friends that we gathered in our travels. This industry is special to both of us. I have had the privilege of working for the Turfgrass Foundation for 27 years under good and not so good times. I blame Dick Fisher for persuading me to undertake this job, but the volunteers that have served this organization so well have each held a spot of admiration in my heart. These individuals serve you and their industry because they believe that what they do matters. They give of their time, talents and resources because they recognize the earth they live on is theirs to promote and protect. And yes, I really believe that.

My husband is an urban farmer. I recognized that early on in his work: creating and caring for many golf courses. In his retirement he continues to glorify nature with his crazy big garden, chickens and bees. This year he built a greenhouse where he can sit on cold January days and talk basketball with fellow coaches without the discerning eyes of his wife.

And now it is the season to join him in our retirement.

The Virginia Turfgrass Foundation is getting a facelift! After 29 years the Board of Directors has undertaken the huge task of evaluating the next phase of this organization. Make no mistake, our mission has not changed:

The Virginia Turfgrass Foundation was formed to provide a stable source of funds for innovative turfgrass research, teaching and Cooperative Extension programs.

The Virginia Turfgrass Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt, scientific and educational organization 501(c)(3), therefore contributions are tax deductible. The contributions will perpetually accumulate interest, which will be utilized to fund the programs.

We are well on our way to doing just that, but the final lap needed a shot of energy. This industry owes a great deal of gratitude to the VTF Board: Jeff Everhart, Dean Whitehead, Eric Frazier, C.D. Prillaman, Jim Wilson, Mike Skelton and Allison Moyer. They are doing double time to complete this final lap. Please bear with the bumps in the road as we ramp up our efforts. You will see a new Foundation emerge, representative of the entire Turfgrass industry, and transparent in our goal of supporting Turfgrass research.

Thank you all for the opportunity to work with you. It is my time to join my husband in retirement, and I can’t wait for the new season!

Betty Parker

Betty B. Parker, VTF Manager