Skip to content
The Turf Zone Logo The Turf Zone Logo
  • About
  • Associations
    • Alabama Turfgrass Association
    • Arkansas Turfgrass Association
    • Maryland Turfgrass Council
    • Mississippi Turfgrass Association
    • New England Sports Field Management Association
    • Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council
    • Tennessee Turfgrass Association
    • Turfgrass Council of North Carolina
    • Virginia Turfgrass Council
  • Publication Issues
    • Alabama Turf Times
    • Arkansas Turfgrass
    • Mississippi Turfgrass
    • MTC Turf News
    • New England Blade
    • North Carolina Turfgrass
    • Pennsylvania Turfgrass
    • Tennessee Turfgrass
    • Virginia Turfgrass Journal
  • Podcasts
    • Alabama Turfgrass Association
    • Arkansas Turfgrass Association
    • Maryland Turfgrass Council
    • Mississippi Turfgrass Association
    • New England Sports Field Management Association
    • Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council
    • Tennessee Turfgrass Association
    • Turfgrass Council of North Carolina
    • Virginia Turfgrass Council
  • Events
    • Alabama Turfgrass Association
    • Arkansas Turfgrass Association
    • Maryland Turfgrass Council
    • Mississippi Turfgrass Association
    • New England Sports Field Management Association
    • Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council
    • Tennessee Turfgrass Association
    • Turfgrass Council of North Carolina
    • Virginia Turfgrass Council
  • Product Showcase
  • Contact
GO TO THE ATA WEBSITE
The Turf Zone Logo The Turf Zone Logo
  • About
  • Associations
    • Alabama Turfgrass Association
    • Arkansas Turfgrass Association
    • Maryland Turfgrass Council
    • Mississippi Turfgrass Association
    • New England Sports Field Management Association
    • Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council
    • Tennessee Turfgrass Association
    • Turfgrass Council of North Carolina
    • Virginia Turfgrass Council
  • Publication Issues
    • Alabama Turf Times
    • Arkansas Turfgrass
    • Mississippi Turfgrass
    • MTC Turf News
    • New England Blade
    • North Carolina Turfgrass
    • Pennsylvania Turfgrass
    • Tennessee Turfgrass
    • Virginia Turfgrass Journal
  • Podcasts
    • Alabama Turfgrass Association
    • Arkansas Turfgrass Association
    • Maryland Turfgrass Council
    • Mississippi Turfgrass Association
    • New England Sports Field Management Association
    • Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council
    • Tennessee Turfgrass Association
    • Turfgrass Council of North Carolina
    • Virginia Turfgrass Council
  • Events
    • Alabama Turfgrass Association
    • Arkansas Turfgrass Association
    • Maryland Turfgrass Council
    • Mississippi Turfgrass Association
    • New England Sports Field Management Association
    • Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council
    • Tennessee Turfgrass Association
    • Turfgrass Council of North Carolina
    • Virginia Turfgrass Council
  • Product Showcase
  • Contact

CURRENT NEWS

Share..

Deep South Turf Expo Announces Derek Kaye as Keynote Speaker

September 9, 2024 | Article

The Deep South Turf Expo welcomes Derek Kaye of WHISPR Innovations as our keynote speaker this year. In his presentation Derek will explore how Tesla’s commitment to innovation has revolutionized the automotive industry and how these principles can be applied to turf and lawn maintenance. He will delve into the latest advancements in automation, highlighting robotic mowers and other lawn and turf robots in this and future markets. Attendees will learn about the pros and cons of wired versus wireless robotic equipment as well as the benefits of on-site versus cut and go solutions. He will also touch on the state of battery-electric equipment, introducing the American Green Zone Association’s (AGZA) AFTC certification program. This presentation aims to equip attendees with the knowledge to embrace and lead sustainable innovation in their fields.

WHISPR Innovations is a pioneering eco-friendly business getting ready to expand markets across the United States. Their Robots as a Service (RaaS) program supports additional battery-operated lawn care services.

WHISPR was founded by keynote speaker, Derek Kaye and Ethan Hanson. Derek, when asked what inspired them to become pioneers in this field, replied,

“Discovering that 5% of US air pollution came from gas-powered lawn equipment was a lightbulb moment. I knew we needed to be electric. Replacing traditional gas-powered lawn care equipment with electric seemed like low-hanging fruit. The tools are here today.”

Derek’s company provides an eco-conscious alternative to conventional lawn care:

  • Maintenance and operational costs of battery-electric technology are markedly lower than those of traditional gas-powered equipment.
  • WHISPR showcases a robotic mowing service model. This transformative solution in lawn maintenance epitomizes efficiency, precision and convenience.

Co-founder Ethan Hanson described their mission. “We learned early on that people who appreciate hiring out their lawn care and landscape services didn’t just want a robot mower. They want everything automated for them. A robot can be intimidating, so WHISPR provides a full-service maintenance program.”

View the latest Deep South Turf Expo updates and register online: www.DeepSouthTurfExpo.org

RECENT NEWS

Celebrating Pollinator Awareness Month

June 6, 2025 | ARTICLE

BuySod/SodStar announces breakthrough sod research & development partnership

May 29, 2025 | ARTICLE

University of Tennessee Launches Poa Annua Video Series

May 29, 2025 | ARTICLE
SEE MORE
RECENT PODCASTS

The TurfZone Podcast: Dr. Becky Bowling on Industry Recruiting and UT’s First Beacon Event

09/03/2024 | Virginia Turfgrass Council

Alabama Turfgrass Association – A Contrarian’s Guide to Autonomous Turfgrass Robotic Technology

03/26/2024 | Alabama Turfgrass Association

Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council – Turfgrass Professionals Make Westinghouse Field of Dreams Come True

03/18/2024 | Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council
SEE MORE
UPCOMING EVENTS
07
June
Alabama Turfgrass Association
North Alabama Native Plant Symposium
Huntsville, AL
09
June
Tennessee Turfgrass Association
TNGCSA Chapter – East June Meeting
Knoxville, TN
10
June
Mississippi Turfgrass Association
23rd Annual Yard Dawg Classic
Starkville, MS
SEE MORE

The Turf Zone is your online destination for all things turf related. Created for the industry by those who know the industry, The Turf Zone is your central information and news hub, bringing together professionals from turf associations across multiple states to share things to help you in your business—from up-to-the-minute research on turfgrass products, to trends, initiatives and techniques. Each month, The Turf Zone will feature podcasts, articles, an events calendar, product spotlights and more. It’s everything you need, all just one click away. Get on-demand access to information that is driving sales, quality and growth across the industry.

Call today for THETURFZONE

Sponsorship Opportunities!

888.707.7141

Copyright © 2025 Leading Edge Communications, LLC | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions

Be the first to know!

About the latest industry news, podcasts, events and more!

Keep me in the loop for the following associations:

Alabama Turfgrass Association
Arkansas Turfgrass Association
Maryland Turfgrass Council
Mississippi Turfgrass Association
New England Sports Turf Managers Association
Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council
Tennessee Turfgrass Association
Turfgrass Council of North Carolina
Virginia Turfgrass Council
No thanks, i'll stay in the dark Please don't display again
Your Hub For All Things Turf.
Subscribe
X