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MTC TURF NEWS

It’s that time again when your MTC Dues need to be renewed.  Many members renewed their dues when they signed up for the MTC Annual Conference and Trade Show in December but if you didn’t renew your dues at that time, you can do it now.

The MTC Dues year runs from February 1 to January 31 the following year.  So, your dues paid now are good until January 31, 2024. This allows you “member discounts” at all MTC events including the 2023 MTC Annual Winter Conference on December 12, 2023 at Turf Valley Resort.

Membership numbers in the MTC have continually increased, with right now we have 1275+ members and are glad to have you and your crew as members.

The MTC, as an umbrella organization of all the Turfgrass Industries and Suppliers in Maryland and the surrounding area is open to any Turfgrass Professional or Supplier in the area.

One benefit of membership is our constantly monitoring legislation, both State and Local, that can greatly affect our industry and livelihood. It is so important when we go to testify before the legislature or other organizations to be able to say that we are here representing a large number of Turfgrass Professionals, including you. If you are aware of possible legislation or rule changes in your area, please notify us so we can join the fight.

Additionally, your dues help support the University of Maryland Turfgrass Research and other Turfgrass Programs including their students in both the 4-year and 2-year programs, as well as promoting quality turfgrass production and maintenance, making turf and playing surfaces safer for our children and improving the State’s waterway including the Chesapeake Bay.

Another way you can help support the University Turf Programs and promote Quality Turfgrass is by becoming a Turfgrass Education Sponsor There are several levels of support you can do from being a “Patron” all the way up to being an “Advocate” Supporter.  On the MTC website you will find more explanations of what being a Turfgrass Education Sponsor means and the ways we are willing to show your generosity to the entire organization.

Lastly, for the past five years, our Treasurer Katy has designed and created a lap quilt using natural turf and plant patterned material.  This year’s is still in process so we do not have a picture to show you, but Pam King at Middleton Manor Turf Farms in Waldorf was the lucky winner of the raffle last year. Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $20 and all proceeds are utilized for research. The drawing will be held during the Trade Show at the December Conference.

So please send in your dues today and encourage your crew, competitors, and suppliers all to become members.

“Turf Terps” Earn 2^nd Place Honors at Sports Field Managers Association Student Challenge

By Geoff Rinehart, Institute of Applied Agriculture

Continuing a tradition which began almost two decades ago, in January, UMD students participated in the first of two annual intercollegiate competitions—the Sports Field Managers Association Student Challenge. The event is conducted annually during the SFMA Conference and Trade Show and allows the students to compete against other turfgrass programs nationally. This year the conference was held from January 16-19 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Because of the studying, academic dedication, and required after-class meeting time needed to prepare for these competitions, students participating in the turf competitions have the opportunity to enroll in a one-credit independent study class in the Fall semester. This year UMD was able to take two teams, one consisting of returning students and the other consisting of new students. After a 6^th place finish in the 2-year program competiton in 2022 in Savannah, GA, the returning team consisting of students Brandon Carbary, Jarrett Maynor, Matthew Miller and Payton O’Connor were eager to use their experience to improve.

The SFMA competition includes of turfgrass species, weed, insect, and disease identification; turfgrass soils questions, turfgrass-related math problems, and a hands-on practical section where students were required to read and answer questions about an irrigation blueprint. The returning “Turf Terps” were able earn second place honors in the 2-year program out of 8 teams and placed fifthout of 25 2- and 4-year teams.

In addition to the competition experience, students had the opportunity to attend the educational seminars, browse the tradeshow floor and speak with vendors and experience the Salt Lake region, travelling to the mountains one afternoon to visit Utah Olympic Park, where the Winter Olympics were held in 2002. Attending and competing in these national turfgrass competitions raises the national recognition for our IAA turfgrass program and provides students with an added academic rigor as they practice for the competitions and experience the industry on a broader, national level. We would like to extend a word of thanks to all of the UMD turf alumni for the ways they have supported the team over the years and everyone who has supported the Shields Memorial Fund, funds from which provide the means to bring student teams to these competitions.

Shields Tournament Scheduled for Friday, May 12^th

The Shields Memorial Tournament will once again return to the University of Maryland Golf Course this spring on Friday, May 12, 2023 at the University of Maryland Golf Course. Thank you to all who have participated in the past and we look forward to continuing this wonderful tradition of supporting academic programs at the Institute of Applied Agriculture. The event will continue the “sixsome” format and will include contests and prizes followed by a bull roast at the nearby College Park American Legion.

Registration is $130/person. More details and a link for registration are posted on the IAA website (iaa.umd.edu).

The IAA and, in particular, the turfgrass and golf course management programs, have been appreciative of the industry’s support in the past and are grateful for continued support.