COVID-19

Never did I ever believe I would be writing a president’s letter based on a worldwide pandemic.

First, you, your family and your employees are in my mind, heart and prayers. Please follow the advice coming from the health department to protect everyone.

The VTC (really Tom) has been vigilant to ensure important and critical issues affecting the turf industry in our state are being solved.

Very early on when it was determined that only essential business would be allowed to stay open, Tom knew the decision makers must be reminded of the importance of the turf industry. He spent countless hours on the phone and computer contacting the right Virginia State Departments and leaders to ensure they understood our importance to the state during this crisis. Through his actions, our turf and landscape workers are part of the essential business allowed to be open.

He also prepared and shared a letter for the turf workers to carry with them that proves they are working in an essential industry.

Tom then created an online webinar for Pesticide Applicators to get their pesticide recertification (since they can’t meet in person) and got approval through VDACS. He spent what seems like endless hours putting together the webinar with multiple speakers from all over the state. Not only did he get it approved for Virginia applicators but also applicators from Maryland and North Carolina. It was also decided that this certification would be open to Non-VTC members — they would be asked for a nominal voluntary donation, but would not be required to join the VTC.

Third, Tom has been working with VDACS to get information out to the industry for certification of new Category 60 (Registered Tech) approved through a process of testing from a Licensed Business and a Commercial Applicator. The process is for the Commercial Applicator to create a written test and administer it in house. The suggestion is to use questions that are already part of sections within the Core Training Manual. For persons to keep their certification they must take the VDACS test within 30 days of the lifting of our state of emergency.

Tom, thanks for all you are doing. The Virginia Turf Industry would be lost without you.

Be safe,

Mike Skelton

2020 VTC President