Clippings
News & Notes | 02
Growing Better: Photo
Gallery| 04
TPF Elects Directors,
Officers for 2015| 04
Truenow, Carraway
Receive Outstanding
Service Awards | 05
Skeet Shoot is a
Winner! | 06
Growing Better Quick
Reference Guide | 08
Producers Meet to
Review Zoysiagrass
Research Program | 11
UF Survey Shows
Floridians Willing to
Conserve - If It’s Not
Too Costly | 12
Landscaping Florida’s
Roadways | 15
TPF’s Annual Meeting: A Great Start for a
Year of “Growing Better”
TPF’s year of learning, connecting and growing
careful planning has solidified the state’s financial
better is off to a great start! Turfgrass Producers of
position, its appeal to new and existing businesses,
Florida welcomed an enthusiastic group of pro-
and the quality of life for Florida’s citizens. The
ducer and business members to our first combined
comparison of Florida’s position to other states
event, “Growing Better: The 2015 TPF Annual
with similar populations was particularly compel-
Meeting and Show” at the Mission Inn at Howey-in
ling and encouraging.
-the-Hills on February 26 and 27th for a great opportunity to socialize (see the story on our first
Clippings
is published quarterly by
Turfgrass Producers of
Florida, Inc., P. O. Box 217
LaBelle, Florida 33975
Tel/Fax: (863) 675-2144
www.floridaturf.com
UF’s Dr. Rod Clouser recapped Florida’s economic trends while Texas A&M’s Danny Klinefelter
fundraising skeet shoot on page 6), network with
shared from his years of working with successful -
others through our reception and dinner and Fri-
and not so successful - operations in presentations
day morning trade show time (see our photo gal-
that emphasized the need to pay attention to
lery on page 4), and enjoy some outstanding
your business; learn from and in some cases, col-
speakers at our annual meeting.
laborate with your competition; anticipate
Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater
trends in your markets; and don’t be afraid to
gave an extraordinary presentation with just one
change. TPF is continually working to provide you
PowerPoint slide (if you missed this one, ask some-
with new information, helpful connections, and
one who was there), sharing the work that’s gone
events like this one which will help you learn, con-
in to ensuring that Florida has not only survived
nect and grow - better.
the recession, but through strategic policies and
News and Notes
Dr. Jackie Burns
Wendy Wilbur
Wendy Wilbur Named Statewide Master
TPF Says Goodbye to Brittany! In March,
Gardener Coordinator: Veteran Alachua
long-time TPF administrative assistant Britta-
County Extension agent Wendy Wilber has
ny Bell (formerly McCormick) announced
been named as the statewide master
that she would be returning to college to
gardener coordinator for the University of
pursue a degree in the medical administra-
Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural
tion field, along with her husband, Lane.
Sciences. Wilber has worked as the Ala-
Brittany joined TPF in November, 2007 and is
chua County master gardener
a familiar face at our meetings and Field
coordinator for 15 years.
Days. Brittany also helped with other indus-
“This position is important to the Center
try events, including the Florida Turfgrass Association (FTGA)
for Landscape Conservation and Ecology as well as to IFAS,”
Conference & Show and the Agriculture Institute of Florida
said Dr. Michael Dukes, a professor in the UF/IFAS Department
events. We appreciate her long and dedicated service and
of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and director of the
wish her the best!
UF/IFAS CLEC, in announcing Wilber’s appointment. “With
4,000 volunteers, it’s a great way to disseminate scientific-
TPT’s Cosper Announces Retirement Plans,
based information. We are excited about bringing Wendy on
New Director Sought: Turfgrass Producers
board to lead this program.”
of Texas executive director John Cosper
The Florida Master Gardener Program started in 1979, when
has announced plans to retire from that
state Extension agents chose to use a “learn and return” mod-
position effective September 1. Cosper
el, based on the original Master Gardener program developed
has served in the role since March 2002;
at Washington State University in 1973.
prior to joining TPT, he served as a County
In Florida, about 4,000 master gardeners volunteer in counties
Extension agent for 31 years. Cosper, who turned 70 in De-
that participate in a master gardener program. Last year, mas-
cember, said in a recent column in the organization’s newslet-
ter gardeners volunteered 423,000 hours. They work with the
ter The Pallet that the position has been “challenging, but fun”,
master gardener coordinators, typically the horticulture Exten-
noting that, “Diana (his wife of 49 years, who has handled
sion agent in their county. Interested participants go through
bookkeeping and correspondence for TPT) and I have truly
at least 50 hours of training sponsored by UF/IFAS and county
enjoyed getting to know and working with turfgrass producers,
Extension offices. After the training, new master gardeners
not only in Texas, but throughout the nation and world through
must serve at least 75 volunteer hours within the first year of
Turfgrass Producers International.” He and Diana plan to
certification and 35 hours in subsequent years.
spend more time with their three daughters and nine grand-
In addition to her county master gardener work, Wilber has
children. The TPT Board of Directors has formed a Search
created and executed programs including Florida Friendly
Committee and hope to have the position filled by September.
Landscaping, sustainable home food production, school
A position description and information on submitting resumes is
gardens and 4-H youth. Wilber earned a bachelor’s degree in
available by emailing [email protected].
biology at Stetson University in 1987 and a master’s in horticultural sciences from UF in 2005.
Turfgrass Producers of Texas Licenses New St. Augustinegrass:
Turfgrass Producers of Texas recently announced that the
In Memoriam - Jennie Satterfield Hendrix: Turfgrass Producers
association is now the official licensee in Texas for DALSA 0605,
of Florida extends its sincere condolences to LeeAnn Wagner
a new St. Augustinegrass developed by researchers at Texas
(Sod Solutions) and her family on the passing of her mother,
A&M University. The yet-to-be-named variety is the first one
Jennie Satterfield Hendrix, on March 31. Mrs. Hendrix was
accepted by the TPT St. Augustine Research Group (SARG)
born on May 18, 1940 in Charlotte, North Carolina. She
which has been funding the breeding program at Dallas since
married Thomas C. Hendrix in 1962; together they founded The
2003. Studies conducted in five states indicate that the new
SEFA Group, a coal ash beneficiation business committed to
cultivar has superior tolerance to gray leaf spot and chinch
serving the ready mixed concrete and public utility industries
bugs when compared with other commercially available St.
as well as providing transportation and environmental disposal
Augustinegrasses. DALSA 0605 has also demonstrated superior
services. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she is
drought resistance and more cold tolerance than Floratam St.
survived by her husband, her two children LeeAnn (Tobey
Augustine. TPT will be responsible for licensing producers and is
Wagner) and Gregg, seven grandchildren, and two great
in discussions with marketing firms to assist in brand develop-
grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to The
ment and promotion of the grass.
Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island, PO Box 86, Edisto Island,
South Carolina 29438.
02 | Clippings | Turfgrass Producers of Florida
Grants Awarded to UF Researchers: Dr. Jackie Burns, UF Dean
for Research, announced recently that seventeen young
lyzed, due to funding limitations. Dr. Bryan Unruh, one of the
scientists at UF/IFAS have earned grants from the Dean for
principal researchers in the original study, is directing this addi-
Research office, thanks to their innovative proposals address-
tional EREF-backed research, with assistance from Dr. Travis
ing critical agriculture and natural resources issues that impact
Shaddox. To date, one new article has been accepted for
farm production and consumer behavior. Among those
publication; additional articles are in the peer review process.
relating to the turfgrass and sod Industries:
You can support EREF two ways: through a one-time
 Dr. Paul Monaghan, Agricultural Education and Communication: “Using Social Marketing Research to Understand
the Dissemination of Innovations Promoted by Florida
Friendly Landscaping Practices”, $50,000.
 Dr. Patricio Munoz; Agronomy: “Discovering the Molecular
Mechanism of 2,4-D Herbicide Resistance”, $49,380.
EREF Launches Living Green: The Environmental
Research & Education Foundation (EREF) has
been hard at work on behalf of the turfgrass
donation or through a voluntary line-item addition to your fertilizer bill (.06% of the purchased amount - a small amount that
across all of our industry, means big impact for turf research
and outreach funding!). Many major fertilizer distributors are
participating in the EREF funding program, so it’s easy to join.
Simply visit www.ereflorida.com and click on “ENROLL” to take
advantage of this easy way to support the industry. For more
information, contact Pete Snyder at [email protected] or Mac
Carraway at [email protected]. EREF is a 501(c)5
non-for-profit corporation.
industry, developing new ways to reach out to
Welcome New Member!
Florida’s citizens and to policymakers through its
Living Green Florida initiative. Living Green
focuses on the environmental benefits that turf
areas provide in our landscape and offers practical turf care
Associate Member
information through a presentation suitable for community
outreach and a leave-behind brochure (available for download online or in print form). EREF, along with several other
green industry partners, has also committed to two years of
funding to a UF/IFAS effort to further expand upon a 2012 DEPfunded turfgrass nutrient management research project. The
original study yielded significant data that was never fully ana-
TM
Rayne Plane, Inc.
Ray Constantin
9107 Grand Prairie Highway, Church Point, LA
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 337-334-2101
www.rayneplane.com
Rayne Plane is a third generation family owned business that
has been producing the very best land plane since 1947.
Our service is second to none; just ask your competition!
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Clippings| Spring 2015 | 03
2015 Growing Better: Photo Gallery
Visit our online gallery at www.floridaturf.com for more!
Photo by Ron O’Connor, Farm Credit.
Photo by Ron O’Connor, Farm Credit.
All photos by Dawn McKinstry Photography unless otherwise noted.
2015 TPF Directors and Officers Named
At the association’s annual business
meeting, TPF producer members re-elected
directors Eric Hjort (Tater Farms, Hastings)
Eric Hjort
and Tom Temple (A. Duda & Sons, Lake
Placid).
Hjort will serve as president of the associ-
and Keith Truenow (Lake Jem Farms, Mt.
ation in 2015; Jonathan Brown was named
Dora) and welcomed Will Holcomb of
vice president, and Tom Temple, treasurer.
Willaway Cattle & Sod in Okeechobee to
Keith Truenow is immediate past president.
the TPF board for a three-year term begin-
Mac Carraway (Carraway Consulting) and
ning at the conclusion of the meeting.
Lonnie Bertsch (MST Sod Equipment) will
Holcomb joins currently seated directors
also join the board as advisory members.
Travis Council (Council Growers, Ruskin);
We appreciate the dedicated service of
James Maulden (McCall Sod, Southport);
these directors to TPF and to the Florida sod
Jonathan Brown (Bethel Farms, Arcadia);
industry!
Jonathan Brown
04 | Clippings | Turfgrass Producers of Florida
Tom Temple
Will Holcomb
TPF Recognizes Truenow, Carraway
with Outstanding Service Awards
Turfgrass Producers of Florida named two long-time
producer members as recipients of the association’s
not afraid to speak up when it’s needed.”
Keith agreed, “I don’t really like to speak in front of
Outstanding Service Award. The award is given to an
people; it’s not easy. But you have to be ready to do it.
individual who has made significant contributions to the
You have to be aware of the issues and you have to be
association and to the industry. Past recipients include
involved, because this is our business, our livelihood, that’s
Ed Hamilton, DUDA; Paul Grose, King Ranch; Will Nugent,
being impacted.”
Bethel Farms; and Tobey Wagner, Sod Solutions.
Keith is a native of Tavares; he lives on the family farm in
Mt. Dora with his wife Dodi and two sons.
Keith Truenow of Lake Jem Farms (Mt.
Dora) joined the board of directors for
Mac Carraway was appointed to
the Florida Sod Growers Cooperative in
the Florida Sod Growers Coopera-
2003 and has served continuously since
tive (now Turfgrass Producers of
that time on the FSGC board and the
Florida) board of directors in 2011
board for Turfgrass Producers of Florida.
and re-elected to a full term in
He was named vice president of the
January 2014. He has been an
organization in 2004, a post he held until
active member of the organiza-
taking over as president in 2012. In
tion and within the industry since
that capacity, he helped guide the
being named vice president of
organization through its name change
agriculture for Schroder-Manatee Ranch in Bradenton and
and transition from FSGC to Turfgrass
later president of SMR Farms LLC beginning in 2004. He
Producers of Florida.
During his tenure, he has also been an active proponent
assumed the role of treasurer for TPF in the fall of 2013 upon
the retirement of Ed Hamilton and was recognized for the
for turf in the landscape and for sound science in policy
key role he played in ensuring that TPF successfully navi-
making. He was a key industry contact during the adop-
gated the change in status to a non-profit organization.
tion of the Lake County landscape ordinance in 2008,
TPF executive director Betsy McGill noted that Carraway
interacting with county staff and with other stakeholders to
has “consistently devoted an extraordinary amount of time
emphasize the necessity of incorporating sound scientific
and expertise both to TPF and to the Florida sod and
information into the process as well as the need to consider
turfgrass industry as a whole”, including significant work on
the economic impact that proposed changes would have
local fertilizer ordinances, water permitting, water quality
for businesses and homeowners. As the ordinance
policy and in representing the industry with the Southwest
evolved, Truenow reached out to local and Orlando-area
Florida Water Management District. In 2012, Carraway
media through editorial board meetings and telephone
received the Agriculture Institute of Florida’s Ag-Vocate
and television interviews to answer questions and provide
Award for his communications efforts on behalf of the
background and feedback for articles. He also authored
industry and was named the 2014 Florida Turfgrass Associa-
an opinion column that was published in the Orlando
tion’s Wreath of Grass recipient for his service as an officer
Sentinel and the Florida Farm Bureau’s Florida Agriculture
and president of that organization.
magazine. In 2009, Keith was the recipient of the Agricul-
He was also recognized for his work promoting and
ture Institute of Florida’s Ag-Vocate Award for his efforts in
serving as chair for the Environmental Research & Educa-
communicating about Florida agriculture.
He has also represented agriculture and the sod industry
in a number of volunteer positions with other groups, including Florida Farm Bureau, and served as host farm for the
2007 FSGC Field Day.
In presenting the Outstanding Service Award, Betsy
tion Foundation, an industry-wide effort devoted to funding
research and communicating about the environmental
and lifestyle benefits of turf areas and greenspaces.
Carraway formed his own firm, Carraway Consulting in
Bradenton, in 2014 and will continue to assist TPF as an
advisory member to the board of directors.
McGill noted that although Keith, “...is a quiet person, he’s
Clippings| Spring 2015 | 05
Skill, Strategy Key to Skeet Shoot Success
A big thanks to everyone who helped make our first ever
Growing Better Sport Shoot at the Mission Inn Resort a big success (and a whole lot of fun!). Thirty-six shooters on nine teams
took part in a round-robin format that involved both skill and
strategy: each group had to devise their own plan for which
team member would be responsible for which bird (low, high,
left, right or whatever configuration the station presented). At
the end of the competition, our winners were...
Celebration Turf); and Aric Greene (South Florida Grassing).
First Place: Team "I Got It"
They announced that
they had it and in the
end, they surely did! First
place finishers in this
year's shoot were
(L to R) Will Holcomb
Third Place (tie-breaker):
(Willaway Cattle & Sod);
Team Firefly Equipment
Warren Prescott (JW Turf
The Firefly Equipment team
(Willaway Cattle & Sod); and Sam Tripson (Helena Chemical
took third place after a
close tie-breaker with the
eventual second place
team, having broken an
identical number of targets
during regular competition through outstanding strategy and
teamwork. Congratulations to (L to R) Eric Hjort (Tater Farms),
Brad Pack (Firefly Equipment), Keith Truenow (Lake Jem Farms)
and Steve Aposhian (Firefly Equipment).
Farms); Glen Hegedus
Company). Enough said!
And the overall winner is...
The overall winner was determined
through a progressive shootout - one
shooter released the bird and shot; if
he missed, the next in line could try. If
the second shooter was successful,
the first was eliminated. This competi-
Second Place: Team "Dark Horse"
tion for top prize took concentration,
Hmmm...I'm not sure this group ever adopted an official team
squared off to determine the best of
name, but after watching them shoot, I think "Dark Horse" fits the
bill! These guys signed up individually, casually coalesced into
an east coast-west coast grower team on site, and blew right
past the competition. Awesome! Congratulations to
our second place team,
which prevailed in the tiebreaker shoot-out:(L to R)
Eric Bartl and Matt Montee
skill AND strategy! Team "I Got It"
the best, and in the end, the final bird
flew for Sam Tripson (L) - who missed - and Warren Prescott (R) who neatly dispatched the target to take top honors.
We had such a great time and have received so many requests for more that it looks like we'll be doing this again next
year. We'll look forward to seeing you there!
{And a big thanks to Tater Farms for supplying prizes for our
winners!}
(GulfKist Sod); James Clarke
(Bay Breeze Farms/
06| Clippings | Turfgrass Producers of Florida
[Sport shoot photos: Betsy McGill, Turfgrass Producers of Florida.]
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Clippings| Spring 2015 | 07
2015 Growing Better Quick Reference Guide
Exhibitors, Sponsors and Speakers from this year’s Growing Better meeting & show
Exhibitors & Sponsors
Crop Protection & Nutrients |
Soil Enhancements
Crop Production Services
Justin Bunch
2100 Moores Lane
Mulberry, FL 33860
Tel: 863-425-8289
[email protected]
Diamond R Fertilizer Company
Bruce Matthews
321 State Road 207 East
Palatka, FL 32133
Tel: 386-325-7992
[email protected]
www.diamond-r.com
Nick Russakis
4100 Glades Cutoff Road
Fort Pierce, FL 34981
Tel: 772-464-9300
[email protected]
G.P. Solutions | Growth Products
Randy Oberlander | Chris Kamberg
900 Cowboy Circle
LaBelle, FL 33935
Tel: 863-675-1500
[email protected]
www.nitro30.com
Growers Fertilizer
Mark Wheaton
312 N. Buena Vista Drive
Lake Alfred, FL 33850
Tel: 863-559-0236
[email protected]
Helena Chemical Company
Jimmy Webb
2405 N. 71st Street
Tampa, FL 33619
Tel: 813-333-3182
[email protected]
www.helenachemical.com
Pathway BioLogic
Dion Pearce | Beth Gans
111 East Tever Street
Plant City, FL 33563
Tel: 813-719-7284
[email protected]
www.pathwaybiologic.com
Syngenta
Matt Brecht
34 N. Hyer Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
Tel: 407-448-8343
[email protected]
www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com
08 | Clippings | Turfgrass Producers of Florida
The Andersons, Inc.
Jennifer Hodges | Barney Cherry
800 Trafalgar Court, Suite 320
Maitland, FL 32751
Tel: 407-682-6100
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.andersonsinc.com
TIMAC Agro USA
Eric Hammons
P. O. Box 375
Valrico, FL 33594
Tel: 813-422-8133
[email protected]
www.timacusa.com
Drainage | Irrigation
Coast Pump AG
Tom Maley
610 Groveland Avenue
Venice, FL 34285
Tel: 863-581-5219
[email protected]
Kifco Inc.
Steve Mullican
600 S Schrader Avenue
Havana, IL 62644
Tel: 931-212-2464
[email protected]
www.kifco.com
Soil and Water Agricultural Technologies
Matt Palmer
290 Mount Vernon Drive
Venice, FL 34293
Tel: 941-223-0762
[email protected]
Equipment | Parts & Service
B&B Equipment
Ward Behrens
P. O. Box 470995
Lake Monroe, FL 32747
Tel: 407-688-9480
[email protected]
Brouwer | Kesmac
Gerry Brouwer | John Owens
23324 Woodbine Ave
Keswick, Ontario L4P 3E9 CANADA
Tel: 888-341-5113
[email protected]
www.kesmac.com
Bucyrus Equipment Company
Mark Hildreth | Doug Barberry
P. O. Box 156 | 209 Central
Hillsdale, KS 66036
Tel: 800-330-0857
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.magnumharvesters.com
Chemical Containers, Inc.
Kieth Hollingsworth| Doug Thompson
413 ABC Road
Lake Wales, FL 33859
Tel: 863-638-1407
[email protected]
www.chemicalcontainers.com
Everglades Farm Equipment
Jason Tucker
P. O. Box 910
Belle Glade, FL 33430
Tel: 561-996-6531
[email protected]
www.evergladesfarmequipment.com
FireFly Equipment
Steve Aposhian | Brad Pack
P. O. Box 766
Farmington, UT 84025
Tel: (801) 301-8873
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.fireflyequipment.com
Glade & Grove Supply
Curtis Wager
1006 State Road 80
Belle Glade, FL 33430
Tel: 561-996-3095
[email protected]
www.gladeandgrove.com
MST Sod Equipment
Lonnie Bertsch | Jason Bertsch
8110 US 98 North
Lakeland, FL 33810
Tel: 863-853-4247
[email protected]
Trebro Manufacturing
Ian True | Mark Henson
P. O. Box 80390
Billings, MT 59108
Tel: 888-395-5867
[email protected] | [email protected]
www.trebro.com
Trimax Mowing Systems
Ray LeProu
1145 Uniform Road
Griffin, GA 30224
Tel: 336-202-8031
[email protected]
www.trimaxmowers.com
Financial Solutions
Farm Credit
Ron O’Connor
P. O. Box 8009
Lakeland, FL 33802
Tel: 863-682-4117
[email protected]
www.farmcreditflorida.com
Wells Fargo
Greg Brown
1001 20th Place
Vero Beach, FL 32960
Tel: 772-778-6132
[email protected]
www.wellsfargo.com
Fumigation Services
TriEst Ag Group, Inc.
T. J. Swaford | Matt Horak
7610 US Highway 41 North
Palmetto, FL 34221
Tel: 863-441-1071
[email protected]
www.TriEstAg.com
Turfgrass Licensing | Development
Sod Solutions, Inc.
Tobey Wagner | Christian Broucqsault
P. O. Box 460
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465
Tel: 843-849-1288
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.sodsolutions.com
University of Florida
UF/IFAS Plant Pathology
Dr. Phil Harmon
P. O. Box 110680
Gainesville, FL 32611
Tel: 352-392-3631, ext. 340
[email protected]
Water Management District Programs
Southwest Florida Water Mgmt District
FARMS Program
Mollie Holland
6750 Fruitville Road
Sarasota, FL 34240
Tel: 941-377-3722, Ext. 6527
[email protected]
http://swfwmd.state.fl.us
Tel: 941-708-3322
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.smrfarms.com
St. Johns River Water Management District
Suzanne Archer, Technical Program Mgr
Maitland Service Center
601 South Lake Destiny Road, Suite 200
Maitland, FL 32751
[email protected]
www.floridaswater.com
Speakers
Non-Exhibiting Sponsors
Bayside Sod
Jack Bispham | Tiffany Bailey
7850 Ibis Street
Sarasota, FL 34241
Tel: 941-924-3490
[email protected]
www. baysidesod.com
Florida Turfgrass Association (FTGA)
Pete Snyder
411 E. Orange Street, Suite 205
Lakeland, FL 33801
Tel: 863-688-9413
[email protected] | www.ftga.org
JW Turf Farms
Warren Prescott | Jessica Brees
P. O. Box 997
Loxahatchee, FL 33470
Tel: 561-798-6655
[email protected]
www.jwturffarms.com
The Honorable Jeff Atwater
Chief Financial Officer, State of Florida
Florida Department of Financial Services
200 East Gaines Street
Tallahassee FL 32399
1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236)
www.myfloridacfo.com
Dr. Rod Clouser
Professor and Associate Chair
Food and Resource Economics
1091 McCarty Hall | P.O .Box 110240
Gainesville, FL 32611-0240
Tel: 352-294-7623
[email protected]
Dr. Danny Klinefelter
Texas A&M Agri-Life Extension
Dept. of Agricultural Economics
330B AGLS Building | 2124 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-2124
Tel: 979-845-7171
[email protected]
Venue
Mission Inn Resort
10400 County Road 48
Howey-in-the-Hills, FL 34737
Tel: 800-874-9053
www.missioninnresort.com
SMR Farms LLC
Gary Bradshaw | Keith Vinson
4715 Lorraine Road
Bradenton, FL 34211
Partner Sponsors
Diamond R Fertilizer | Everglades Farm Equipment | Kesmac - Brouwer
Sponsors | Growing Better 2015
Platinum Sponsors
Celebration Bermudagrass | Firefly Equipment
MST Sod Equipment | The Andersons | TIMAC Agro USA
Gold Sponsors
Bucyrus Equipment Company | Farm Credit | G.P. Solutions/Growth Products
Helena Chemical Company | Pathway BioLogic | Syngenta
TriEst Ag Group | Trimax Mowing Systems
Silver Sponsors
Thank you
for your
support!
Growers Fertilizer | JW Turf Farms | SMR Farms LLC
Bronze Sponsors
Bayside Sod | Florida Turfgrass Association | Glade & Grove Supply | Trebro Manufacturing
Sport Shoot Stand Sponsor: Crop Production Services
Clippings| Spring 2015 | 09
Everglades Farm
Equipment
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Package a fleet of tractors,
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together with a 2 or 3 year lease and
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1800 US HWY. 441
Leesburg, FL 34748
813-737-1660
352-315-1016
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2240 Success Drive
Odessa, FL 33556
Okeechobee
727-842-8618
820 US Hwy. 98, North
Okeechobee, FL 34972
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863-763-1921
5090 Ulmerton Road
Clearwater, FL 33760
727-828-8200
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6150 Orange Ave.
Ft. Pierce, FL 34947
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772-461-5568
906 US HWY 301 North
Palmetto, FL 34221
941-722-3281
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13295 Southern Blvd.
Loxahatchee, FL 33470
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561-784-4000
9501 State Road 82
Fort Myers, FL 33905
239-332-5045
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Naples
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Naples , FL 34109
239-260-8800
Since 1963
BLUE BERRY NEWS.indd 1
10 | Clippings | Turfgrass Producers of Florida
3/16/2015 9:53:06 AM
Turf Research Florida Zoysiagrass Program Update: Producers
Meet, Move Forward with Assessing New Lines
In a world where nearly everything can be developed
“Some of these lines were originally planted in 2008, and
and delivered in an instant, good science still takes
we’ve assessed them in Citra, at the Jay Research facility
patience, time and a lot of hard work. And breeding a
and on farm locations throughout the state with the goal of
new turfgrass just might be one of the most time-intensive
determining which lines are consistently good performers in
scientific processes, espe-
various soil types and climates,” Kenworthy explained. Sev-
cially when the goal is
eral of the lines have also been evaluated through NTEP
to improve on existing
(National Turfgrass Evaluation Program) trials and at other
varieties and set the stage
university locations as part of a multi-university Specialty
for a turf that will become
Crop Research Initiative grant project.
an industry standard for
the next decade.
Producers participating
in the Turf Research Florida
Zoysiagrass breeding program - a joint release research
But even through the process already seems snailpaced, Florida producers remain adamant that there is no
rush to bring a new cultivar to the market unless it performs
well both on the farm and in the landscape.
“The ultimate goal is not just to release another grass;
program between Sod Solutions and the Florida Founda-
the goal is to release a grass that meets a need, addresses
tion Seed Producers in partnership with Turfgrass Producers
a problem, and/or brings value in the form of good quality
of Florida - met on April 15 at the UF/IFAS Plant Science
with reduced inputs,” said TPF executive director Betsy
Research & Education Center in Citra to review data
McGill.
collected over the past three years by Drs. Kevin Kenworthy
Producers agreed to move the five-year program
and Bryan Unruh and other UF faculty and graduate
forward by expanding select lines to larger on-farm test
Student on dozens of Zoysiagrass lines to assess potential for
plots at additional locations and to begin testing them in
improved large patch resistance, shade tolerance and
landscape applications. This phase of the program should
drought performance. The lines have also been evaluated
begin in the summer or early fall. Twenty-one producers
for cold tolerance, green up, and rooting, as well as pest
are supporting the Turf Research Florida program.
and disease response.
Clippings| Spring 2015 | 11
UF survey shows Floridians want to conserve water, but
not if it costs too much
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Floridians remain concerned about
water and are willing to make changes to conserve it, at
wastewater to irrigate lawns.

85 percent said they were likely or very likely to pay
least until their efforts cramp their lifestyles, according to
attention to a news story about water, but only 52
an annual University of Florida study on state residents’
percent said they had seen news coverage about
attitudes about this precious resource.
water issues in Florida in the month preceding the
For the second consecutive year, an annual online
survey conducted by UF’s Center for Public Issues in
survey.

Education shows that water ranks third on a list of 10 topics
ful water for city use (90%) than for use in golf courses
people consider important — behind the economy and
healthcare and ahead of public education and taxes.
Eighty-three percent of 749 respondents indicated water is
an important or extremely important issue.
Yet while three-quarters of them said they were likely to
vote to support water conserva-
Floridians would
sacrifice their
lawns to save
water - to a point.
64% would conserve
water, even if meant
less-green lawns; only
42% it if it meant the
grass would die.
tion programs and nearly as
many said they would support
water restrictions issued by their
local government, only 42
percent were willing to take action to conserve water if it
meant their lawns would suffer.
“From our 900 miles of
dazzling beaches to the crystalclear cold waters of 700 named
springs, water is all around us,
and Floridians understand its importance,” said Jack
Payne, UF’s senior vice president for agriculture and natural
resources. “But we must also help educate them about
protecting this natural resource.”
Survey data, collected in November, were weighted to
balance geographic location, age, gender and race/
ethnicity. Other key findings in the 34-page report include:

72 percent of respondents
said they would be willing
to have their water bill
Floridians would
pay more now to
guarantee future
water supply 72% if their bill
increased by10%;
only 19% if that same
bill increased by 50%.
increase by 10 percent if it
ensured a future water
supply in Florida, but only
19 percent were willing to
do so if it required a 50
percent increase in their
water bill.

Only 15 percent owned
rain barrels; fewer than
one-quarter used recycled
12 | Clippings | Turfgrass Producers of Florida
Respondents felt it was more important to have plenti(14%).

Fifty-three percent of respondents who had a yard had
to abide by water restrictions.
The survey also revealed
that respondents overall were
unfamiliar with water policies.
Only 30 percent considered
themselves moderately or
extremely familiar with both the
Clean Water Act, a 1972 law
that establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of
pollutants into U.S. waters, and
Floridians have
water on their
minds.
84% of residents rated
water as a highly or
extremely important
issue in Florida, behind
only the economy and
healthcare.
the Everglades Restoration Act,
a 2000 plan to capture fresh
water and redirect it to the Everglades to help revive a dying ecosystem.
“I think this research can really help the public know
more about water issues,” said Alexa Lamm, the UF
assistant professor who led the survey. “It also lets IFAS
faculty know the topics we can focus on if we want a
more informed public.”
The survey is among several water-focused activities
scheduled in February and March. UF’s Center for Public
Issues in Education hosted a webinar on landscape water
use featuring Lamm and UF agricultural and biological
engineering professor Michael Dukes on February 25. On
March 19, Lamm and UF associate professor Kati Migliaccio
hosted a webinar on public opinion of water and the
implication for agriculture. Both the water survey and an
archive of the webinar can be found at online at
www.piecenter.com/water.
Source: UF |IFAS News release; executive
summary of this report.
Kesmac-Brouwer
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Clippings| Spring 2015 | 13
pte_advantage7.5x10florida_15 15-02-11 9:05 AM Page 1
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14| Clippings | Turfgrass Producers of Florida
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Landscaping Florida’s Roadways
By Ben Bolusky, CEO, Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association
The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) land-
trees and iconic palms in many of Florida’s most traveled
scaping program was created by the Legislature in 1999 --
interchanges and gateways creating some of the most
with FNGLA’s strong push -- so Florida’s roadways could
boldly visible highway landscapes in the nation. For the
project a uniquely Florida look and feel. The landscaped
future, the pendulum is expected to swing back to installing
roads are intended to attract visitors and new residents,
roadside landscapes that reflect more natural settings to
and especially businesses to relocate and invest more time
manage stormwater, filter air, abate noise, provide shade
and money in Florida.
and habitat, conserve energy and be beautiful.
The Florida law directs at least 1.5% of the
amount contracted for state road construction
projects go to the purchase of Florida nursery
plants and their installation.
FNGLA recently established a standing committee of
nursery and landscape experts to be the industry’s liaison
with FDOT. The FNGLA committee is assisting FDOT in multiple areas, such as development and revision of landscape
specifications; design guidance intended to avoid preventable tree/plant losses; landscape construction and mainte-
This means for every $1 billion in road construction, at
nance; quality control issues; mitigation credits for FDOT
least $15 million of it must be reserved for plants landscap-
landscape projects that ameliorate stormwater runoff; and,
ing. In other words, $985 million goes to roads and $15 mil-
guidance in designing for attractive stormwater facilities.
Landscaping Florida’s roads have immediate economic,
lion for their landscaping.
During the past three years, FDOT embarked on a mis-
environmental and aesthetic impacts leading to stronger
sion to make the business of beautification “BOLD” to pro-
Florida businesses, healthier natural resources and compel-
duce the highest visual impact and distinctive sense of
ling visuals -- all enticing folks to love Florida!
place at the lowest design, construction and maintenance
cost. To accomplish this objective, FDOT used many large
[Special thanks to Ben for providing this bit of news for us!]
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Clippings| Spring 2015 | 15
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