Supporting Research

The 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 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.

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.

• We plan to be a resource to help everyone understand the benefits of turfgrass through outreach, marketing and education.

• Helping understand the benefits of turfgrass will help the VTF increase donations to grow funding needed for research projects.

Upcoming Events

We can’t say it enough, but turfgrass research is necessary for both the industry and consumers, so we have decided to increase our fundraising and outreach efforts for everyone to get involved. Check out our new family friendly events below with more details coming soon.

September 26, 2020 – James Riverfest

(environmental focused festival) Billsburg Brewery – Live music & Fundraiser – 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Fall 2020 – “Run the Fairway health & Wellness Festival”

(Date and location coming soon)

We will be looking for sponsors and volunteers to help make these events a success. For more information or if you would like to be involved, please contact: Brandyn Baty at (757) 585-3058 or theVTF@gmail.com

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

Brandyn Baty

VTF Director

Brandyn Baty, VTF Director