VTF Report
Cooperation Between Us All As
the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation (VTF) celebrates 30 years of supporting turfgrass research, we celebrate the many organizations and the cooperation between us all. Our current Board of Directors represents a diverse group of professionals in the industry; Golf, Grounds, Athletics, Commercial & Residential Development and Environmental. This team of professionals encourages cooperation throughout the area. Each year the VTF board meets with the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Team to understand and support their annual research proposal needs. After this meeting the VT Turfgrass Team submits the selected research projects to the Virginia Agriculture Council. At this time, the VTF encourages the approval of funding by endorsing their specific projects presented. This teamwork has led to having the funds necessary for research to move forward within Virginia Tech while supporting the industry. Our relationships with the industry associations continue to remain strong. For example, the Virginia Turfgrass Council (VTC) and Virginia Golf Course Superintendents Association (VGCSA) have been our biggest supporters by organizing and coordinating an annual golf tournament with Virginia Tech’s Turfgrass Team. This by far has been our biggest fundraiser each year! The collaboration between these organizations has given the VTF consistent exposure to the industry and has contributed to the success our fundraising efforts. Overall, cooperating with everyone involved in the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation has led to many amazing relationships being formed within the industry. The need for turfgrass research is important to us all and working together has proven to be successful. We have raised over
Brandyn Baty VTF Manager
$2M to support research and started an endowment in 2008 to ensure we fund research for many years to come. Promoting the need for turfgrass research has been our focus since 1989 and we still remain focused in this area. We are growing in many ways; 2019 brings us a new website, new look, new tagline and new energy! We look forward to our future and the continued cooperation that supports turfgrass research throughout Virginia. Be on the lookout for upcoming fundraising events the VTF will be bringing your way! For more information, contact us at (757) 585-3058.
Brandyn Baty VTF Manager
The VTF is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization and relies on the support of donations from generous organizations and people like you. All donations help our efforts to increase funding towards turfgrass research and is 100% tax deductible. EIN 54-1503158
12 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal September/October 2019 www.vaturf.org
