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Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode features an update on research projects funded by the New England Regional Turfgrass Foundation, written by Executive Director Gary Sykes.

When the Foundation was created, it was the goal to fund substantial turfgrass research at our local universities. We had expected research proposals from UMass, URI and UNH since they had some ongoing activity already within their programs along with highly skilled personnel. The idea was that local research would be the most valuable to our local industry and that would be our focus. We were unaware that things were changing. In New Hampshire the program diminished due to some retirements, but in Connecticut their administrators were convinced that by dedicating funds and support to their Turfgrass Program would be beneficial to the school and the industry. It was a good hunch! New hires to grow the program immediately made a positive impact including the expansion of the turfgrass research facility. Since 1998, the Foundation has had its hand in distributing $3.4 M in research proposal funding to the universities, mostly UConn, UMass and URI.

What is the Foundation up to today? Currently, the foundation has agreed to fund $180,195.77 for 2026 divided between 8 separate research projects. Here are the projects being funded in 2026:

1. A Chemical Scent Lure to Attract Bumble Bee Queens to Nest in Irrigation Valve Boxes (Dr. Steve Alm, URI, 3 Years)
2. Autonomous and Conventional Mowing Strategies Impact on Mowing Quality, Turfgrass Quality and Disease Incidence in Cool-Season Grasses (Dr. Jason Henderson, UConn, 2 Years)
3. Evaluating Factors Impacting the Winter Survival and Spring Recovery in Cool-Season Turfgrasses (Dr. Michelle DaCosta, UMass, 2 Years)
4. Management of Yellow Ring Symptoms Associated with an Emerging Turfgrass Pathogen (Dr. John Inguagiato, UConn, 2 Years)
5. Pre- and Post-Emergence Application Timings for Goosegrass Management in New England. (Dr. Maureen Kahiu, UConn, 2 Years)
6. Autonomous Mowing Impacts on Canada Geese Foraging Behavior and Cool-season Turfgrass Quality During Dormancy and Active Growth, (Dr. Jason Henderson, UConn, 2 Years)
7. Evaluating Autonomous Mowing Schedule for Turf Quality and Dollar Spot Management (Dr. Geunhwa Jung, UMass, 1 Year)
8. Optimizing the Growth Rate of Sports Turf by Integrating Plant Growth Regulators and Cultural Practices (Dr. Evan Mascitti, UMass, 3 Years)

Just a word of appreciation to always remember that without the New England Regional Turfgrass Conference and Show (March 2 – 4, 2027), we would not have the funds for this capacity of research, and without the commitment of attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and speakers, we would not have a show or a pot to you-know-what in! Our united focus has made this all work and continue to perform beyond expectations. What does the future hold? Let’s hope for fair seas and following winds, but let’s always prepare for future challenges!

New England Regional Turfgrass Foundation President Ben Polimer and Director Mike Buras are the New England Sports Field Management Association’s representatives on the New England Regional Turfgrass Foundation Board of Directors. For additional details on grant awards, and the March Turfgrass Conference, visit NERTF.org.

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