VTF Report
Supporting
Brandyn Baty VTF Director
RESEARCH T
he Virginia Turfgrass Foundation (VTF) celebrates 30 years of supporting turfgrass research this year. Through fundraising efforts, individual & corporate donations, and working directly with the Virginia Agriculture Council, we have been able to provide over two million dollars towards Virginia Tech Turfgrass research. Thank you for your continued support! This support has also helped us establish our VTF Endowment to ensure long-term funds for future research needs. With 30 years of supporting research under our belt, we decided to make some positive changes to the organization.
NEW LOGO & TAGLINE
Our new logo is here and our tagline, “Let Greatness Take Root,” is catchy!
NEW ENERGY
We have increased our board of directors team to include different turfgrass industries and expertise. Current Board Members: Jeff Everhart (Board President & Turfgrass Consultant & Sales Manager at Woodward Turf Farms), Jim Wilson (Board Vice President & Territory Manager at Harrell’s), Dean Whitehead (Board Treasurer and Secretary & Director of Grounds at Christopher Newport University), Eric Frazier (Director of Agronomy at Willow Oaks Country Club), David McCall (Virginia Tech Research Associate Turfgrass Pathology), Allison Moyer (Director of Landscape Services and Horticulturalist at University of Richmond), CD Prillaman (Prillaman Landscape Dimensions), Frank Flanagan (VTC), Gil Grattan (Virginia Green Lawn Care), Jeff Holliday (VGCSA), Cameron Long (VNLA), Jason Melton (VSTMA), Michael Millen (VSGA), and Mark Weekley (Virginia Sod Growers Association).
NEW VISION
The VTF will continue to directly support turfgrass research with fundraising efforts but we also want to encourage both consumers and the industry to support research as well.
NEW WEBSITE
Our new website is up (www.vaturfgrass.org), we also have social media presence (follow us at theVTF on Twitter & Facebook), and you can TEXT “Turfgrass” to 24365 for current information.
• We plan to be a resource to help everyone understand the benefits of turfgrass through outreach, marketing and education. •H elping understand the benefits of turfgrass will help the VTF increase donations to grow funding needed for research projects.
14 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL January/February 2020 www.vaturf.org
