Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council
November/December 2020
Member Spotlight on VTC Member
CHAD PEEVY
Alternative Weed Control in Turfgrass Virginia Agribusiness Council 2021 General Assembly Outlook
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Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | November/December 2020
16 10
20 DEPARTMENTS
10 Cover Story
6 President’s Message from Mike Skelton
Member Spotlight on VTC Member Chad Peevy 16 Upcoming Events Mid Atlantic Turf Expo Come to the Bay
8 Director’s Corner from Tom Tracy, Ph.D.
8 Virginia Tech Turf Team
20 Cover Story Alternative Weed Control in Turfgrass
8 Turfgrass Calendar
26 Feature Story Virginia Agribusiness Council 2021 General Assembly Outlook
9 Index of Advertisers 24 News from VDACS
Find this issue, Podcasts, Events and More: THETURFZONE.COM 4 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL November/December 2020 www.vaturf.org
President’s Message Virginia Turfgrass Journal is the official publication of The Virginia Turfgrass Council P.O. Box 5989 Virginia Beach, VA 23471 Office: (757) 464-1004 Fax: (757) 282-2693 vaturf@verizon.net
RESILIENT AND CREATIVE Through Adversity
I
Mike Skelton VTC President
hate to open up my message with this but: COVID-19 is still with us so I want all of you to know that you are always in my thoughts and prayers every day. Please be safe and take care of yourself, your family and your team. We are pleased to announce that the updated VTC website at vaturf.org is up and running. Please take time to explore the site and notice some of the updates like “Classified Ads” where you can see and have posted your job openings and equipment for sale. A big thanks to Tom Tracy and Leading Edge Communications for making this upgrade happen. The Annual “MATE” conference is going to be all virtual. We truly wanted to have it in person, but COVID-19 is dictating how we have to adjust our lives. We took a close look at the elements that are of most importance to the attendees (other than what we really want, which is to catch up with our friends and make new ones). We are focusing primarily on education to keep your certifications up to date. Another area of concern was that an all day Zoom Meeting will not work. You will notice the conference is now 4 days, limited to 3 hours a day. Inclusive dates are Tuesday 19 Jan 2021 – Friday 22 Jan 2021. We will be offering valuable CEUs for Nutrient Management, Certified Fertilizer Applicators, GCSSA, STMA, etc. Pesticide Certification is also being offered this year with a great addition; Dr. David McCall is integrating the Student Contest as part of the program. Their presentations will be on their current cutting-edge research. This is really exciting to able to learn about new research and hear presentations from up and coming stars in the turf industry. Also, at the MATE conference there will be several outstanding speakers, Dr. Matt Elmore (Rutgers University) Dr. Grady Miller (N.C. State University) and Mr. Nick Yakish (Arlington National Cemetery). Thanks goes out to Dr. Mike Goatley, Dr. David McCall, Ed Olsen, Guy Mussey, Dr. Tom Tracy and the VTC board for all the work put forth to make this event happen. An important note – ALL profits from MATE go Virginia Tech for their turf programs. Big changes are happening with the Virginia Tech Short Course. It will be all online/ virtual with the primary focus on becoming a Certified Turfgrass Professional (CTP). I’m not going to try to share all the details here, but check it out under the events tab on the VTC website. One important change is it will be broken down into videos covering a specific chapter out of the CTP book, spread over several weeks, with an examination at the end. Every Wednesday there will be a live Zoom event with the instructor and guests from the industry for questions. You will really want to take advantage of this program. I want to thank Dr. Mike Goatley and the whole VT Turf Team for making this happen. There are several ways to look at this time of the year this year. Some will have a sigh of relief when 2020 is finally over. But to me these trying times exhibit how resilient and creative you all have been through all the adversity. This is a special industry and the people (that is you) who are a part of it are the most dedicated, creative people I have ever known. I feel thankful and blessed to a part of it. Be safe out there and enjoy the upcoming holidays with your family and friends.
Mike Skelton VTC President
6 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL November/December 2020 www.vaturf.org
PUBLISHED BY Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street, Suite 200 Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com EDITOR Mark Vaughn, CGCS VTC OFFICERS President Michael Skelton (540) 718-4133 Vice President Phil Bailey, CGCS Virginia Green Lawn Care (757) 572-1981 Secretary / Treasurer Jimmy Viars, CGM Gloucester County Public Schools (804) 815-2779 Past President Scott Woodward Woodward Turf Farms (540) 727-0020 VTC DIRECTORS Wes Bray Sam Burris Ray Funkhouser Tony Montgomery Bruce Sheppard T.J. Skirsky Craig Zeigler VTC ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Mike Goatley, Ph.D. (Chair) Shawn Askew, Ph.D. Alejandro Del Pozo-Valdiva, Ph.D. Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D. David McCall Ph.D. Dan Sandor, Ph.D. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/ DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS Tom Tracy, Ph.D. (757) 464-1004 VIRGINIA TURFGRASS FOUNDATION Brandyn Baty (757) 585-3058
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Virginia Turfgrass Council (VTC) serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Virginia Turfgrass Journal, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or VTC members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this bimonthly publication. Copyright © 2020 by the Virginia Turfgrass Council. Virginia Turfgrass Journal is published bimonthly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of VTC. POSTMASTER: Send change of address notification to VTC, P.O. Box 5989, Virginia Beach, VA 23471. Postage guaranteed. Third-class postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Virginia Turfgrass Journal allows reprinting of material published here. Permission requests should be directed to VTC. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Suite 200, Franklin, TN 37064-3394, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524. Deadlines are the first of the month prior to the following month’s publication. (Example: August 1 for the September issue.)
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Director’s Corner
Virginia Tech Turf Team Shawn D. Askew, Ph.D. Virginia Tech 435 Old Glade Road Blacksburg, VA 24061 540-231-5807 askew@vt.edu
Our Work Continues
Tom Tracy, Ph.D. VTC Executive Director
In
Massachusetts, politicians are seeking to ban pesticides on golf courses. Montgomery County, Maryland already forbids the use of many pesticides. On October 5, Baltimore City Council voted to ban some pesticides and restrict many others. I believe most of the politicians pushing these bans are not evil. They are misinformed. And they believe pesticides are harmful and that they are not being used properly. To their credit, the two Maryland bans do not exclusively target the industry — homeowners are included in the bans and restrictions. The need to educate decision makers and the need to fight for you led the Virginia Turfgrass Council’s Board of Directors to form the Virginia Turfgrass Council Environmental Institute. The purposes of the Institute are: 1. P roviding education for industry professionals and the general public on proper practices for environmental protection through various means, including seminars and workshops. 2. P roviding opportunities for industry professionals and the general public to restore environments. 3. Encouraging and providing support for environmental research. 4. E ducating decision makers about proper industry practices that protect the environment
The Virginia Turfgrass Council Environmental Institute was formed to enable us to work for our members on critical issues. Since the Institute is a 501(c)(3) non profit corporation, all donations you make are 100% tax exempt!
Alejandro Del Pozo-Valdiva, Ph.D. Virginia Tech Hampton Roads Agricultural Research Station 1444 Diamond Springs Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23455 757-363-3900 adelpozo@vt.edu Jeffrey F. Derr, Ph.D. Virginia Tech Hampton Roads Agricultural Research Station 1444 Diamond Springs Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23455 757-363-3912 jderr@vt.edu Mike Goatley Jr., Ph.D. Virginia Tech 420 Smyth Hall Blacksburg, VA 24061 540-231-2951 goatley@vt.edu David McCall, Ph.D. Virginia Tech 435 Old Glade Road Blacksburg, VA 24061 540-231-9598 dsmccall@vt.edu
Please give generously and help us continue the fight!
Tom Tracy, Ph.D. VTC Executive Director
The VTC Congratulates Elton Nurmi of Newport News Waterworks. Elton is Virginia’s newest Certified Turfgrass Professional!
SAVE TH E S E DAT ES! January 19–22, 2021
February 23–24, 2021
Virtual
Virginia Beach
Mid Atlantic Turfgrass Expo
Come to the Bay
8 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL November/December 2020 www.vaturf.org
Dan Sandor, Ph.D. Virginia Tech 170 Drillfield Dr. 411 Price Hall Blacksburg, VA 24061 540-231-9775 dsandor@vt.edu WITH SUPPORT FROM: Thomas P. Kuhar, Ph.D. Virginia Tech Dept. of Entomology 216 Price Hall 170 Drillfield Drive Blacksburg, VA 24061 540-231-6129 tkuhar@vt.edu
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON
CHAD PEEVY VTC Member and Assistant Director of Grounds & Landscapes (A Division of Facilities Management) at Old Dominion University
Chad Peevy at Saluting Branches in 2019
How many years have you been in this position? I am headed towards my 15th year with ODU. The position has changed over the years, but the position’s objectives remain mostly the same. How did you decide to pursue a career in turfgrass management? The truth is, by proxy. My first green industry job was right out of high school. It was at a retail nursery in Northern Virginia where I grew up. I delivered trees, sod, mulch, and other bulky items. When at people’s houses they would often ask me about lawn care, so I had to be familiar enough with turf to help them. After college, I did park maintenance which included mowing/trimming, but I spent most of my career in arboriculture. In 2006 when I accepted my position at ODU, turf care was a huge portion of the job and certainly the portion many considered to be most important. My understanding and education on turf care has been evolving ever since. I would not wish to mislead people, there are so many turfgrass managers who are so much more knowledgeable than I am. While turf management is a senior responsibility of my position, I tend to view it collectively, i.e. a component of the entire Grounds Management occupation. What path led you to your current position? I worked my way through college by working at retail and wholesale nurseries. My intention was to become a forest ranger. After college, I moved to West Virginia to work for their park system — I was in park maintenance while waiting for an opening as a ranger. One day I was on selective timbering crew for a fire control project and realized how much I missed maintaining plants. I also realized I didn’t like the cold weather. I moved to South Carolina and took a job with a tree planting company that helped build golf courses. My exposure to the turf managers along the SC coast at some of the most esteemed golf courses in the nation intrigued me, particularly the IPM side of their job. Personal reasons brought me back to Virginia and I was fortunate enough to gain a position with Bartlett Tree Experts who sent me to their school of Integrated Pest Management. I was a professional arborist and IPM technician for a few years before moving on to ODU. I had a strong background in many aspects of the green industry and wanted to enter public service to apply my skills in one place where I could see impact. One place where I could watch the land change over time, if you will. I also wanted to work with a team that was dedicated towards integrating urban landscapes – trees, shrubs, and turf all working towards the same objective. The objective to beautify and enhance our urban environment while optimizing all the benefits plants can provide for a community and the people within it. I am certainly fortunate to work for an agency which supports such objectives and to be surrounded by the talent and creativity of my co-workers.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
10 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL November/December 2020 www.vaturf.org
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Member Spotlight continued
What is the best part of your job? Universities are interesting places. So many people of different cultures, ages, and backgrounds… all in pursuit of bettering themselves and improving the world around them. It is inspiring and makes me want to work equally as hard to help frame a background for the time they spend here. The landscape of ODU should not just be space between classrooms, rather, these grounds should provide an opportunity. So, for me, the best part is to see people learning and interacting with our outdoor campus. To know that a complete ecosystem exists in the middle of an urban setting where people can find some reprieve from the stress and pressure of their day. This is important work. What are some unique challenges of your job? That list is long, but I would be remiss not to claim the top challenge is the volume of people and the schedule of events. I learned early that when managing turf and landscapes at a university campus, you can take any traditional agronomic or horticulture maintenance calendar and throw it right out the window. ODU has over one million visitors each year and often the people are congregating in only a few locations of the entire campus. The Kaufman Mall is the flagship lawn of our turf program, but it is also the most centralized and visited location for campus life. When we would normally seek to aerate, overseed, fertilize, etc., the business cycle of the University hosts recognitions, tours, recreation, and celebration right there on the lawn. So many people wanting to enjoy that green space is a humbling acknowledgement of our efforts, but it also means
the staff here must adapt and adjust management practices for maintaining that turf. Whether it is a turf technician finding a way to edge the lawn safely when surrounded by thousands of passing students or a plant health care tech considering the public impact from the scent of a fertilizer product…the challenge is omnipresent. Again though, ODU Grounds staff are true professionals who rise to the occasion. How have you and your team adapted to new operations implemented in recent months due to COVID-19? Altered schedules, adjusted team sizes, additional training, and a whole lot of new personal protective equipment. Seeking to be positive of the situation, we have become more focused and intent with our time. One day there may be half staffing levels and the next there may be more or even less. One truck headed to a single location in the past may now take three trucks. This is how it goes, but the logistics of this situation have forced questions about what truly matters, why is it done this way, where do we have the biggest impact? These were questions which demanded answers for us to proceed. The result is that we are getting those answers and, in the process, revealing improved professionalism and improved teamwork. What inspired you to serve the VTC? That’s easy, Tom Tracy did. Tom had asked me to help with VTC’s ‘Come to the Bay’ conference committee. The committee needed a professional arborist and I don’t recall how Tom found me, but he did. I was hesitant due the amount of boards I already participated with, but Tom had a vision for what Come to the Bay could achieve and the leadership role VTC could take.
Kaufman Mall, Old Dominion University
12 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL November/December 2020 www.vaturf.org
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Member Spotlight continued
Facilitating conversation and education across green industry boundaries, bringing in environmental sector professionals, stormwater experts, elementary school-age students…the vision was big, but the vision was important. How could I not agree to help? Tom was about to redefine the essentiality and unity of all green occupations for the future of our trade. I loved it. What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the turfgrass industry right now?
Kadi and Memphis in our backyard in Yorktown, Virginia
I think turfgrass is facing a truly existential threat from a long and slow perception which miscategorized managed turf as a point source polluter. Not just in Virginia either, but nationwide. The idea that managed turf is damaging the Bay, our rivers, our estuaries…this idea is very much in the public realm of discussion and is absolutely making its way into politics. I will refrain from waxing poetic about my thoughts regarding the politics or any assumptions of people’s individual thoughts on the matter, but I would suggest that now, perhaps more than ever, it is essential for turfgrass professionals to educate themselves and advocate for the value of what they provide. Your voice will make a difference, it could be the difference. What is one lesson you’ve learned the hard way in your career? Listening to others. I mean, truly listening – with an intent to understand another’s position, their objectives, their hearts. It’s one lesson, but it took many teachings for that lesson to resonate with me. I do believe that listening to others is a central component of leadership. Whether you lead a small crew of turf techs, a regional office, or even just yourself - creating an openness to hear others which is honest and genuine will improve your personal abilities and your career. It seems a shame it took me so long to arrive at something I was capable of the entire time, but I suppose that is why I suggested it was a hard lesson for me. Do you have a mentor in the industry? Who? I have been gifted to have many mentors, but the first person who often comes to mind is Rob Springer with Bartlett Tree Experts. I was a young tree climber with Bartlett, Rob was the company’s regional Safety Director. When I first met him, Rob seemed like a hard leader, but he was always fair; he was also then and is now the most competent climbing arborist I have ever known. Yes, I learned a whole lot about climbing and the physical mechanics of trees from him, but he was the type of guy who went beyond the ‘how’ and the ‘why’. He framed a process so that it mattered to you as a person. He taught me to see and take ownership of my own value and the value of what I did for a living. Equally, he instilled a value for the other professionals around me. I still quote some of his lessons on a regular basis. And he taught me most of this by doing, rather than by saying it. He was highly influential to my skills development as a leader and an inspiration to my career. You should love what you do and when you do, other people will know it, not by your words, but by your actions.
Memphis ‘playing’ chess What do you do in your free time? These days I just appreciate being around my family and enjoying my time with them. I like the stereotypical things green industry people tend to like – hiking, nature, being on the water and all that. My wife is Kadi, we have a son, Memphis, and one dog named Biscuit and one dog named los Cuchillos (her name means ‘the knives’, really sharp teeth on that little dog). My family and I enjoy traveling to do those things, which has been limited of late for obvious reasons. Truthfully, I have just come to respect the collective struggle we have all shared together these past few months. It made helped see them again, see people again, if that makes sense. What would your advice be for people entering the turfgrass industry now? It will never get easier, but if you love it, it will always get more interesting. Find someone worth knowing who does this very well and learn from them. Ask them to teach/coach/mentor you if that’s what it takes but find that person(s) nonetheless. If you want to be a true professional one day, get involved and get active with an organization like VTC or ISA and get certified. I promise you will find personal leaders to help you out. My success was not built by myself, but by the great people around me and such people do not appear by accident. This industry is deliberate and the great people in it are passionate educators and life-long learners. Seek this as well, you will take their place one day.
14 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL November/December 2020 www.vaturf.org
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Upcoming Events
C ONFERENCE PROGRAM T U E S DAY , JA N U A RY 1 9 , 2 0 2 1
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Virtual Nutrient Management Workshop and Day 1 of Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo SPEAKER
TIME
Dr. Tom Tracy Dr. Mike Goatley
9:00 a.m. – 9:10 a.m.
Dr. Abigail Baxter Dr. Matt Elmore
TITLE
Executive Director, Virginia Turfgrass Council Professor and Virginia’s Turfgrass Extension Specialist, Virginia Tech
Welcome and Introductions
Urban Nutrient Management Specialist, VT and Va DCR
9:10 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
BREAK
10:00 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.
Dr. Grady Miller
10:10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
BREAK
11:00 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.
Dr. Shawn Askew 11:10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Assistant Extension Specialist in Weed Science – Turfgrass, Landscapes, Pastures and Forages, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Ways to Integrate Nutrient Management into Your Weed Control Programs
Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist, NC State University
Nitrogen Fertility Form and Function
Professor and Extension Turfgrass Weed Specialist, Virginia Tech
Using PGRs to Alter Turfgrass Maintenance, Nutrition, and Pesticide Programs
DCR UNM Plan-Writing Recertification Candidates MUST remain on-line for the following session. Others may stay if they desire to do so. Dr. Abigail Baxter
12:00 p.m – 1:00 p.m.
Virginia Urban Nutrient Management Specialist
Update on Va DCR Urban Nutrient Management
W E DNE S DA Y , JA N U A RY 2 0 , 2 0 2 1 Day 2 MATE Educational Programming TIME
TITLE
Mike Skelton
SPEAKER
9:00 a.m. – 9:10 a.m.
President, Virginia Turfgrass Council
Welcome and Introductions
Dr. Grady Miller
9:10 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist, NC State University
Blades of green, shades of ecology
Assistant Extension Specialist in Weed Science – Turfgrass, Landscapes, Pastures and Forages, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
False-Green Kyllinga and Goosegrass Management in Cool-Season Turf
Turfgrass Agronomist, Arlington National Cemetery
Grounds Management Strategies in Meeting the Expectations of Arlington National Cemetery
BREAK
10:00 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.
Dr. Matt Elmore
10:10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
BREAK
11:00 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.
Nick Yakish
11:10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
T HU R S DA Y , JA N U A RY 2 1 , 2 0 2 1 MATE Educational Programming Day 3; Landscape Supply Incorporated / WS Connelly and Sons Innovative Research Graduate Student Oral Presentation Contest; Virginia Certified Pesticide Applicators Recertification Program Day 1 of 2 required training days for those seeking recertification (Categories 3A, 3B, 6, and 10) SPEAKER
TIME
TITLE
Ed Olsen
9:00 a.m. – 9:05 a.m.
Extension Agent, ANR-Horticulture, Henrico Co.
Welcome and Instructions for recertification
Kevin Connelly
9:05 a.m. – 9:10 a.m.
Vice-President, LSI
Welcome to the LSI/WSC Innovative Research Contest
Dr. David McCall
9:10 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Moderator
Introductions
Caleb Henderson
9:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
MS candidate (McCall)
Automated Spring Dead Spot isolation from aerial imagery: One step closer to making us obsolete
Brandon McNally
9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
MS candidate (Elmore)
Fertilization and irrigation management practices to control annual bluegrass in cool-season turf
Emeline Daly
9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
MS candidate (McCall/Kuhar)
Comparing annual bluegrass weevil larval sampling techniques for accurate monitoring
Aaron Tucker
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Ph.D. candidate (McCall)
DMI safety within creeping bentgrass and ultradwarf bermudagrass
Cory Ketchum
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
MS candidate (Miller)
Developing drought stress coefficients for hybrid bermudagrasses
BREAK
10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
John Peppers
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Ph.D. candidate (Askew)
Maximizing herbicide efficacy by avoiding antagonists
Wendell Hutchens 11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Ph.D. candidate (McCall)
Prevention and recovery from Spring Dead Spot with chemical and cultural management practices
Katherine Diehl
11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Ph.D. candidate (Elmore)
Annual bluegrass weevil and paclobutrazol programs to control annual bluegrass in creeping bentgrass fairways
Jordan Booth
11:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Ph.D. candidate (McCall)
Evaluating fall and winter applications of trinexapac-ethyl (Primo Maxx) on ultradwarf bermudagrass putting greens
Joseph Doherty
11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ph.D. candidate (Roberts, Clemson/UMd)
Controlling Brown Patch in MD Home Lawns with Biological Fungicides
Daewon Koo
12:00 p.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Ph.D. candidate (Askew)
Renovating turfgrasses with glyphosate alternatives
David McCall and Ed Olsen
12:15 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
16 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL November/December 2020 www.vaturf.org
Concluding Remarks, Instructions for Recertification, Announcement of Winners
CO N F E RE N C E PR OGR AM – co nt inued FR I DAY JA N U A RY 2 2 , 2 0 2 1
MATE Educational Programming, Day 4; Day 2 (both days required) of Virginia Certified Pesticide Applicators Recertification Program (Categories 3A, 3B, 6, and 10) SPEAKER
TIME
TITLE
Guy Mussey
9:00 a.m. – 9:10 a.m.
Extension Agent, ANR-Horticulture, Stafford Co.
Speaker 1
9:10 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Required Pesticide Class
BREAK
10:00 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.
Speaker 2
10:10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
BREAK
11:00 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.
Speaker 3
11:10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Welcome and Instructions for Certified Pesticide Applicator Recertification Candidates
Required Pesticide Class Required Pesticide Class
Concluding Remarks and Surveys
M ORE UP C O M I NG E V E NT S
COME TO THE BAY
PRESERVE THE DUNES
THIS GREAT CONFERENCE, held at the Virginia Beach oceanfront, CONTINUES TO GROW!
Special event at COME TO THE BAY presented by the Virginia Turfgrass Council Environmental Institute
FEBRUARY 23 – 24, 2021
THEME: Water: It’s Everybody’s Business LOCATION: 35th Street Sheraton Hotel, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 (beware, there is a Four-Points Sheraton located at 12th Street. The Four-Points is a great hotel but it is not where our conference will be held)
FEBRUARY 24, 2021
We are partnering with the City of Virginia Beach to plant 6,000 grass plants on oceanfront dunes! Lawns and Gardens Plus is sponsoring the plants! Check vaturf.org for other sponsorship options. All donations for the dune planting project are 100% tax free.
OFFERINGS: Pesticide and Fertilizer Certification and Recertification; State of the Bay presentations; Industry Successes; Water Management; Make the Soil Right; Mosquito Spraying; Panel Discussion; Dealing with Pesticide Questions; Virginia Dept of Labor Update; Certified Turfgrass Professional review; Certified Horticulturist training; and much more.
1) Volunteer to help us plant!
BRAND NEW: Session Just for VTC Members
2) Become a Dune Restoration Sponsor ($800)*
Come to the Bay is presented by AGRONOMIC LAWN MANAGEMENT Social Sponsor: LAWNS AND GARDENS PLUS
TWO WAYS YOU CAN HELP:
* T he Virginia Turfgrass Council Environmental Institute is a 501-(c)(3) corporation and all donations made to it are 100% tax free.
For the latest news and events throughout the year, visit the VTC’s new website at vaturf.org 18 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL November/December 2020 www.vaturf.org
M-A-T-E REGISTRATION FORM JAN U A R Y 1 9 – 2 2, 2 0 2 1 V I R TU A L M E E TI N G C HEC K T HE A PPR O PR I A TE B O X E S . – YO U M AY AL SO REG IST ER AND P AY ONL INE AT
v aturf.or g
VTC Membership – JOIN or RENEW (January 01 – December 31)..............................................................................Regular: $85 Registration: VTC Member
Registration: Non VTC Member
All Four Days.............................................................. $230
All Four Days.............................................................. $255
Any Three Days.......................................................... $170
Any Three Days.......................................................... $195
Any Two Days............................................................ $145
Any Two Days............................................................ $170
Group (2–5)........................................Deduct $30 / Person
Group (2–5)........................................Deduct $30 / Person
Group (more than 6)............................Deduct $40 / Person
Group (more than 6)............................Deduct $40 / Person
* PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION IS HELD ON THURSDAY & FRIDAY. YOU MUST ATTEND BOTH DAYS TO BE RECERTIFIED. WHEN ARE YOU ATTENDING? CIRCLE THE DAY(S). Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Amount Enclosed:___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Make checks payable to Virginia Turfgrass Council and mail with this form to: P.O. Box 5989, Virginia Beach, VA 23471 Or charge to credit card:
AMEX
VISA
MasterCard
Card #:___________________________________________________Cardholder Name:_________________________________________ Verification Code:__________________________________________Expiration Date:____________________________________________ Please type or print clearly: Name:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Company:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City:______________________________________________________State:___________Zip Code:__________________________________ Telephone:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Email:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRESENTING SPONSORS CORTEVA AGRISCIENCES FINCH SERVICES LUCK ECOSYSTEMS
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QUESTIONS? (757) 464-1004 • virginiaturf@gmail.com Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | 19
Alternative WEED CONTROL
Cover Story
In
IN TURFGRASS
By Devon Carroll, Ph.D. Student and Jim Brosnan, Ph.D., Professor – University of Tennessee
certain regions of the United States and Canada, legislation has severely restricted traditional synthetic herbicide use in residential and commercial landscapes. Specifically, residential use of synthetic pesticides deemed “cosmetic use” in the Ontario Province, Canada, has been banned. Other aspects of the turfgrass industry such as sports and golf are able to receive exemptions through government approval, stated reduction goals, integrated pest management certification, and increased transparency requiring reporting and in-person meetings to discuss pesticide application. (Ontario Regulation, 2018). Similarly, in Montgomery County, Maryland, the use of synthetic pesticides perceived for use cosmetically is banned. Only natural, non-synthetic herbicides listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) may be used for this purpose (County Council for Montgomery County, Maryland, 2019). Many local governments, such as the city of New York, banned glyphosate use on public land such as school districts, parks and in municipalities, except for maintenance of invasive plants in native area. (The New York City Council, 2019). In the United States, many active ingredients in organic pesticides are considered minimum risk, categorized as section 25b products, and are exempt from the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) registration process. Products must meet six criteria for inclusion in this category. Because labeling in this category is typically not federally regulated, labeling of non-synthetic herbicides is not consistent and may include wording such as “organic” or “natural”, despite these products not undergoing typical organic product registration. Although not required by federal law, independent agencies perform organic standard research to determine which products receive organic seals on labeling (Figure 1). Additionally, individual states may still require a registration process for minimum risk products and may limit herbicide use in some areas to only products listed by independent testing agencies. An example of a natural product research agency that maintains a list of products compliant with internal organic standards is OMRI. OMRI is a non-profit organization, and thus not considered a regulatory agency. Conversely, the Environmental Protection Agency is considered a regulatory agency and although not federally required, also tests natural products and lists those meeting organic criteria. Active ingredients on these lists include chelated iron, acetic acid, corn gluten meal, and a variety of soaps and oils. Chelated iron, also referred to as Iron HEDTA, is concentrated iron formulated for increased uptake in broadleaved weeds versus grasses. Once inside the plant, the iron is oxidized and causes
necrosis (Charbonneau, 2010). Acetic acid, which is concentrated in household vinegar used for cooking at 5%, is generally concentrated in horticultural vinegar at 20 to 40%. Horticultural vinegar applications can kill weeds by removing the waxy cuticle found on leaves, thus drying out the plant. Citrus oil and soaps such as pelargonic acid or ammoniated fatty acid work in similar fashion by stripping the leaf cuticle to facilitate water loss. Unlike many synthetic herbicides, products with these active ingredients are generally fast acting and results may be observed within a few hours of application (Figure 2). Products containing these active ingredients are widely available to the public and can be purchased at most big box retail stores and online (Figure 3). Due to the lack of regulation in labeling, many manufacturers produce products of differing trade names that have similar active ingredients included at variable concentrations. For example, horticultural vinegar is available as Green Gobbler concentrated at 20, 30, or 40% acetic acid; Eco Garden Pro (8% acetic acid + 5% sodium chloride); or as WeedPharm (20% acetic acid) among others. A common misconception is that products labeled as “organic” are non-toxic. This is false. Similar to synthetic pesticides, product labels contain the signal words caution, warning, or danger to alert applicators to toxicity. “Caution” labeling indicates the lowest level of toxicity to humans followed by “Warning” meaning moderately toxic and “Danger” denoting high toxicity. An example of organic herbicide toxicity labeling is horticultural vinegar labeled with a “Danger” distinction because the product is a strong irritant and needs to be used with care. It is critically important that end-users read and follow label instructions for both conventional and alternative herbicides before application. Most of these alternative weed control products are non-selective and are therefore injurious to desirable turfgrass (Figure 2). To mitigate injury concerns, these alternative options should be used to spot-treat individual weeds rather than being applied via broadcast sprays. Research conducted at the Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA) assessed the efficacy of AXXE (40% ammonium nanonate), horticultural vinegar (30% acetic acid), Fiesta (26.2% Iron HEDTA), Avenger (70% d-limone citrus oil), and A.D.I.O.S. (11.9% sodium chloride) for control of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale G.H. Weber ex Wiggers) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Herbicide treatments were applied in late July with sequential applications made on two or four week intervals. Three applications of Fiesta applied at 25.2 fl oz/1,000 ft2 every four weeks controlled clover and dandelion within six days of initial application through
20 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL November/December 2020 www.vaturf.org
FIGURE 1: The Organic Materials Review Institute and Environmental Protection Agency seals of organic certification may be printed on herbicides meeting organic standards outlined by the organizations. DAYS AFTER INITIAL APPLICATION Before app
1
2
8
14
21
28
35
Untreated control
Avenger
BurnOut
Finalsan
Suppress
WeedPharm
Ranger PRO
Ranger PRO + Fusilade II FIGURE 2: Natural, non-synthetic herbicides including Avenger (70% d-limone citrus oil), Finalsan (22% ammonium soap of fatty acid), Suppress (47% caprylic acid + 37% capric acid), and WeedPharm (20% acetic acid) resulted in injury to bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) within one day of application. Photo credit: Maggie Reiter, Ph.D., University of California cooperative extension advisor. FIGURE 3: Alternative weed control products purchased from big box retail stores and online.
Cover Story continued
mid-October. While not considered injurious to the turfgrass sward, increased iron uptake in the desired perennial ryegrass stand resulted in grey discoloration (Figure 4). Other natural, non-synthetic herbicide treatments including AXXE (15% v/v) and horticultural vinegar (50% v/v) provided some control of both weed populations compared to an untreated check, although both were injurious to turfgrass (Figure 5). Treatments of A.D.I.O.S. (50% v/v) or Avenger (14% v/v) did not control dandelion or clover and were not injurious to desired turfgrass. Research conducted at the University of Tennessee (Knoxville, TN) in summer 2019 found similar results. A trial initiated in late July assessed the efficacy of eight alternative herbicides (Fiesta, Avenger, Burnout, horticultural vinegar, A.D.I.O.S., Biosafe, Natria, and WeedBeater Fe) for control of white clover. Two weeks after treatment, several alternative products controlled white clover similar to a single application of Trimec Classic (2,4-D, MCPP, and dicamba) at 3 pt/A; these alternative treatments included single applications of Fiesta applied at 12.6, 25.2, or 50 fl oz/1,000 ft2; horticultural vinegar (30% acetic acid; 50% v/v); and Avenger (70% d-limone citrus oil; 20% v/v). The desired fine fescue (Festuca spp.) turfgrass stand was discolored following Fiesta treatment and injured by horticultural vinegar and Avenger. Treatments of Natria (3.7% ammoniated soap of fatty acid; 20% v/v), Biosafe (40% ammonium nanonate;15% v/v), WeedBeater Fe (1.5% Iron HEDTA; 100% v/v) and A.D.I.O.S (11.86% sodium chloride; 33% v/v) did not control white clover. Burnout (24% citric acid + 8% clove oil; 6% v/v) controlled clover ~ 50% compared to a non-treated check. A second trial was conducted in February 2020 at the University of Tennessee to assess efficacy of alternative weed control products for control of winter annual broadleaf weeds in dormant bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.). Eleven days after treatment, Fiesta applied at 12.6, 25.2 or 50 fl oz/1,000 ft2; AXXE (15% v/v); horticultural vinegar (50% v/v); and Natria (20% v/v) controlled broadleaved weeds such as hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta), henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), mouse-ear chickweed (Cerastium vulgatum), and corn speedwell (Veronica arvensis) ~ 50%. Thirty-three days after initial treatment, the end of the study, Fiesta applied at 25.2 or 50 fl oz/1,000 ft2 with a three-week sequential application controlled these broadleaf weeds 60 to 80%, similar to Roundup Pro at 16 fl oz /A and Cheetah Pro at 82 fl oz/A. At the end of the study, AXXE, horticultural vinegar, and Natria, treated sequentially three weeks after initial application, controlled these broadleaved weeds ~ 25%. The low control provided by these products at the end of the study compared to the 50% control observed 11 days after treatment indicates that sequential applications should be made every two weeks to obtain the greatest weed control. Results of these research projects show that alternative weed control products can reduce weed populations compared to nontreated turfgrass, although outside of Fiesta, they are generally not as effective as traditional synthetic herbicides. Alternative products are not translocated throughout plant tissue, which often results in regrowth of treated weeds. Therefore, sequential applications will be required for sustained weed control, which can be costly. For example, an application of Fiesta at 50 fl oz/ 1,000 ft2 is approximately $25.40 per 1,000 ft2, compared to $0.76 per 1,000 ft2 for an application of 2,4-D + MCPP + dicamba at 4 pt/A.
FIGURE 4: Grey discoloration of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) three days after Fiesta applied at 25.2 fl oz/1,000 ft2.
FIGURE 5: Turfgrass injury three days after application of horticultural vinegar applied at 50% v/v.
Changing legislation in certain areas of the United States and Canada may put pressure on synthetic pesticide use in turfgrass. Homeowners and turfgrass managers should be aware that while natural herbicides may be an effective tool compared to not using any weed control product, they are not an equivalent replacement to synthetic herbicides. In scenarios where alternative weed control products are required or preferred, they can be used to control select weed species via spot treatments applied sequentially. Products containing high concentrations of chelated iron, such as Fiesta, or acetic acid can be used for broadleaf control when applied as sequential spot treatments. However, these applications can cause undesirable injury or discoloration to turfgrass. More research is needed to better understand alternative methods of controlling weeds in maintained turfgrass. Investigations pertaining to effects of environmental or meteorological factors on efficacy of these products are warranted. The authors would like to thank Dr. Frank Rossi, Associate Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist at Cornell University, and Vickie Wallace, University of Connecticut Extension Educator and Program Director of UConn’s Sustainable Turf and Landscape Program, for their assistance in developing this article.
Literature Cited Charbonneau, P. (2010) Efficacy of iron chelate herbicide for turf broadleaf weed control. Sports Turf Manager 23(2):25–27. County Council for Montgomery County, Maryland (2019) Non Essential Pesticide Prohibitions, Cosmetic Pesticide Use Restriction Bill. 52-14. Ontario Regulation (2018) Pesticides Act, R.S.O. p.11 Ontario Regulation 63/09. The New York City Council (2019) A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the use of pesticides by City agencies. Committee on Health Int. No. 1524.
22 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL November/December 2020 www.vaturf.org
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News from VDACS
ME E T T HE OFFIC E OF
PESTICIDE SERVICES (OPS)
The
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Pesticide Services (OPS) administers the Virginia Pesticide Control Act and Regulations Pursuant to the Act. In other words, we regulate pesticides and the people who use them. To ensure the proper use of pesticides, we certify pesticide applicators, license pesticide businesses, register pesticide products and conduct both routine inspections and complaint
ADMINISTRATION
investigations. And while you should call OPS with any questions, the question really is, who in the office should I call? The key to finding the right person is to find the program area first, for example, Certification, Licensing, Registration & Training, and find the topic and OPS Staff person to call. To help answer that question and to get you to the right person the first time, contact information for OPS is provided below. Updated information is also available on our website. PHONE
FAX
Liza Fleeson Trossbach, Program Manager.............................................. 804.371.6559......... 804.371.2283................... liza.fleeson@vdacs.virginia.gov Jeff Rogers, Special Programs................................................................ 804.371.6561......... 804.786.9149.................jeffrey.rogers@vdacs.virginia.gov Pesticide Disposal, Container Recycling, Pollinator Protection, CERTIFICATION, LICENSING REGISTRATION AND TRAINING Micah Raub, Unit Supervisor.................................................................... 804.786.4845......... 804.786.9149................... micah.raub@vdacs.virginia.gov Cynthia Clark, Commercial Applicator Certification................................... 804.371.0152......... 804.786.9149................. cynthia.clark@vdacs.virginia.gov Kimberly Thompson, Registered Technician Certification............................ 804.371.0873......... 804.786.9149........ kimberly.thompson@vdacs.virginia.gov Joan Hammond, Private Applicator Certification........................................ 804.371.0209......... 804.786.9149..............joan.hammond@vdacs.virginia.gov Reba Gilliam, Product Registration............................................................ 804.786.1025......... 804.786.9149.................. reba.gilliam@vdacs.virginia.gov Alanna Ostrowski, Business Licensing....................................................... 804.225.2223......... 804.786.9149........... alanna.ostrowski@vdacs.virginia.gov Tonita Clark, Re-certification Courses........................................................ 804.786.0685......... 804.786.9149....................tonita.clark@vdacs.virginia.gov Marlene Larios, Worker Protection............................................................ 804.786.8934......... 804.786.9149............... marlene.larios@vdacs.virginia.gov COMPLIANCE Christine Wang Trostler, Compliance Officer............................................ 804.371.8485......... 804.371.2283............. christine.trostler@vdacs.virginia.gov ENFORCEMENT & FIELD OPERATIONS Clint Shettle, Unit Supervisor.................................................................... 804.786.8943......... 804.371.2283................ clinton.shettle@vdacs.virginia.gov INVESTIGATORS Anton Goodwyn, Chesapeake, Greensville, Prince George and area.......... 757.406.2502......... 804.371.2283............. anton.goodwyn@vdacs.virginia.gov Rodney Knight, Eastern Shore/Virginia Beach/Norfolk.............................. 757.999.4084......... 804.371.2283.............rodrickus.knight@vdacs.virginia.gov Ryan Rutherford, Loudon, Prince William, King George and area.............. 540.236.8013......... 804.371.2283..............ryan.rutherford@vdacs.virginia.gov Robert Christian, Newport News, Northumberland, Caroline and area....... 757.334.3966......... 804.371.2283.............. robert.christian@vdacs.virginia.gov Debbie Brown, Augusta, Frederick, Highland, Cumberland and area.......... 540.830.1547......... 804.371.2283................debbie.brown@vdacs.virginia.gov Vincent “Mike” Abston, Prince Edward, Pittsylvania, Brunswick and area... 434.941.5094......... 804.371.2283............... vincent.abston@vdacs.virginia.gov Dylan Payne, City of Richmond, Chesterfield and Henrico.......................... 804.912.3017......... 804.371.2283..................dylan.payne@vdacs.virginia.gov Charles Magolda, Roanoke, Floyd, Bath, Amherst and area....................... 540.580.3456......... 540.562.3649............charles.magolda@vdacs.virginia.gov Tom Burke, Fauquier, Loudoun, King George, Goochland and area............ 540.222.1022......... 804.371.2283..................... tom.burke@vdacs.virginia.gov Jim Atwell, Wythe, Lee, Giles, Henry and area.......................................... 276.223.2434......... 276.228.6579.................. james.atwell@vdacs.virginia.gov Gonzalo Ortiz Ulloa, Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria and Manassas........... 571.271.4064......... 804.371.2283................gonzalo.ulloa@vdacs.virginia.gov
24 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL November/December 2020 www.vaturf.org
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FINALLY, A COUPLE OF REMINDERS: • Pesticide Business Licenses Expire March 31 – Your business license is valid for 1 year and expires on March 31 every year. While we do send all businesses a renewal notice as a courtesy, it is the businesses’ responsibility to maintain their pesticide business license. If a business applies a pesticide without a current pesticide business license, they are in violation of Virginia’s laws and regulations and subject to enforcement action. When in doubt, look at your license for the expiration date. • Check Certification Cards for Expiration Date, Category Recertification Date(s) and Correct Employer and Address – Your certificate is valid for 2 years and expires on June 30 of a given year. Renewing your certification is a TWO STEP PROCESS, requires recertification credits AND submission of a complete application and fee. While we do send all pesticide applicators a renewal notice as courtesy, it is the applicator’s responsibility to maintain your certification. If a pesticide applicator applies a pesticide without a current certification, they are in violation of Virginia’s laws and regulations and subject to enforcement action. As with a business license, when in doubt about when your certificate expires, look at your certificate.
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• Recertification Opportunities – For a list of approved recertification courses visit www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/recertcourses.pdf. • The Label is the Law – Read and follow the label. Enough said! • Unregistered Pesticides – The Virginia Pesticide Control Act requires that “…every pesticide manufactured, distributed, sold, offered for sale, used or offered for use…” be registered. Check your storage for unregistered pesticides. Pesticide registrations must be renewed annually. If you’re unsure whether a pesticide is currently registered visit: www.vdacs. virginia.gov/pesticide-product-registration.shtml NOTE: Initial pesticide business licenses and certificates may have shorter durations depending on when they were issued during the licensing or certification cycle. Please refer to the license or certificate you received to verify the expiration date. Don’t forget, in addition to OPS Staff, there is a wealth of information on our website including a list of approved recertification courses, application forms, etc. Check us out at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/ pesticides.shtml. Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | 25
For franchise information go to www.weedmanfranchise.com or call (888) 321-9333
DIGITAL MARKETPLAC E Scan the QR code: Download your favorite QR reader to your phone and scan the code to learn more about these companies.
At various times throughout the year, we receive a high volume of calls. While we strive to answer every call, there are times when we are assisting another caller. The best thing to do is to leave a message with the right person! We will return your call as soon as possible. Email is encouraged as it allows staff the opportunity to research information and provide a response in writing. We will respond as soon as possible whether contacted by phone or email. If you are unsure who to contact, inquiries can be emailed to opsclrt.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov.
Feature Story
VIRGINIA AGRIBUSINESS COUNCIL
2021 GENERAL ASSEMBLY OUTLOOK
Kyle Shreve is the Executive Director of the Virginia Agribusiness Council, a statewide trade association representing the agriculture, forestry and green industries.
C
OVID-19 has disrupted every aspect of life and this includes the Virginia General Assembly. The Virginia General Assembly was called into Special Session and is finishing up their work trying to complete updates to the state budget as well as COVID-19 legislation and criminal justice reform. The Assembly has largely operated virtually which has put a strain on the Council’s lobbying ability. Even with these challenges, we are pleased to report a successful Special Session for the agribusiness communities. During this Session, we engaged on a variety of budget items, bills addressing price gouging for suppliers and mandatory paid family leave. As we look ahead to 2021, we expect to see some familiar bills come back, such as mandatory paid sick and family leave, and more adjustments to the state budget due to the ongoing COVID pandemic. Bills on paid sick family leave will be introduced which will require all employers to provide the time to all employees that work at least 20 hours a week. The Council also expects bills that would restrict or ban the use of certain pesticides and herbicides. Lastly, the efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay continue and the Council continues to advocate for funding to achieve Virginia’s 2025 Bay goals. VAC staff will be easily accessible and hard at work on your behalf at the General Assembly during this 45-day “short” session in January. We do expect the General Assembly to operate virtually through the entirety of the 2021 session. Bills that will be priorities for the green industry will target applications, like last year’s attempts to limit spraying times for certain species of pests and a repeat of the failed 2018 bill which sought to ban chlorpyrifos in the Commonwealth. As is sometimes the case, bills introduced in other states find their way into Virginia and will likely continue. There may be efforts to update and strengthen Virginia’s Seed Law as well as bills to delay or extend applicator certification deadlines due to the impact of COVID on recertification. Like in past years, we will continue to work with VTC, the golf course superintendents and others in the green industry, because the coalition effort directly prevents these bills from moving forward. As the changing makeup of the General Assembly presents new challenges, we are finding innovative ways to educate new members and have called on those of our members in the field to provide technical expertise to relate to legislators. The Council will monitor all the bills introduced during the session and flag any bills affecting the turf industry. The Council plays a vital role at the state level and as this upcoming session goes online, we will still be there in close communication with elected officials in both the House and the Senate, advocating on your behalf, adapting to the new reality of digital influence. The Council will have to rely more heavily on e-mail, conference call or Zoom meetings to deliver the messaging. As we prepare for the upcoming 2021 session, all of us at the Virginia Agribusiness Council are grateful to the VTC for its membership and its members who support our collective advocacy efforts. One of the reasons we are so successful is because our members and board stay active and utilize opportunities to lobby their hometown legislators on behalf of the entire industry. From all of us at the Agribusiness Council, thank you so much for your support in this truly critical time.
26 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL November/December 2020 www.vaturf.org
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