VA Tech Turfgrass Research Field Day

By Jack Karlin, TWCA

The Turfgrass Field Day at Virginia Tech Blacksburg, this year sponsored by Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA), was an excellent event with good attendance and great industry support. With an average attendance of around 100 people, the Blacksburg Field Day is only one in a series of specialized Field Day events held by the Virginia Tech turf team; other events include a golf-centric field day held at Independence Golf Course, and the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center with long time TWCA Cooperator, Dr. Jeff Derr.

Each year Dr. Mike Goatley hosts the annual Suds ‘n Spuds Mixer at his house the night prior to Field Day, and this year was no different. This year, as usual, the suds portion of the event was generously donated by Williams Brothers Tree & Lawn Service. Despite some uncooperative weather, the event was well attended and enjoyed by all.

Registration and check-in were made easier by the breakfast donuts and beverages provided by Smith Turf and Irrigation. Special thanks to Virginia Turfgrass Council and their Executive Director, Tom Tracy, for all his support and assistance in putting on a great event.

TWCA was proud to unveil the newest addition to the program; the Rainout Shelter on the Blacksburg campus with an introductory discussion about the TWCA program from Dr. John Stier, touching on the qualification process and scope of the trials.

With over 30 acres of ground at the Turf Center, the Virginia Tech turf team can engage in lots of different projects including partnerships with industry evaluating chemical management regimes and evaluations of the cost effectiveness of the Stihl iMow robotic mower.

Temperatures in the high seventies with high humidity made the water stations sponsored by NexGen Turf Research a much-needed refreshment. After a full and informative morning, the event took a lunch break at 11:30 am to enjoy sack lunches from Macado’s, sponsored by TWCA with lunch drinks sponsored by Brad Farmer and the Pennington Seed Pro Turf Team.

The event split into different tracks in the afternoon to accommodate different interests and earn pesticide and fertilizer recertifications for those seeking them. One group went to the Hahn Garden to learn about pruning techniques for sustainable landscapes and shade plants, while a second group went on a continued turf tour before getting a tour of Lane Stadium. The final group separated out to the Washington St. Greenhouse Classroom to complete their Pesticide Recertification classes.

Altogether, attendees and sponsors were able to raise over $4600 for Virginia Tech turfgrass research. Special thanks to the entire Virginia Tech turfgrass team, especially Jon Dickerson, Whitnee Askew, and Dr. Mike Goatley; your efforts made this event great!