The FTGA is dedicated to education, research & promotion of environmentally-responsible, professional & scientifically-based management practices for turfgrass.
Florida
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In case you missed the memo, nothing says "Monday after the time change" like showing up an hour early for work.
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Help Save the Valencia College Plant Science & Agricultural Technology Program!
We need your voice to tell the Board of Trustees at Valencia College to reinstate the program they're going to discontinue at the end of the year!
It's do-or-die time. Please do your part to help save this program for those who want the education to enter the industry with a foundation to help them succeed.
speak4.app/lp/ao01gnuw?ts=17…
If you have a sod farm, this is for you.
Florida agricultural producers and forestry operations impacted by Hurricane Isaias now have until November 16, 2026, to sign up for the Fiscal Year 2027 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has extended the sign-up deadline for these Fiscal Year 2027 program applications within the 25-county area declared to be in a state of emergency by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
FEMA declared a state of emergency for the following 25 Florida counties on October 9: Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Walton, Wakulla, and Washington. As part of NRCS emergency assistance, applications for EQIP financial assistance will be accepted from agricultural producers and forestry operations impacted by Hurricane Isaias until November 16, 2026.
blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ffgs/2026…
Time is running out. Just two more days... We're all concerned about the labor shortage, and here's how you can help:
Save the Valencia College Plant Science & Agricultural Technology Program!
We need your voice to tell the Board of Trustees at Valencia College to reinstate the program!
speak4.app/lp/ao01gnuw?ts=17…
Despite healthy enrollment and filling a vital need for the surrounding community, leadership at Valencia College in Central Florida have decided to terminate the Plant Science & Agricultural Technology Program at the end of this school year.
The program has long been a pipeline for the industry, as many businesses continue to rely on this program to hire employees upon graduation.
The college has stated that the reallocation will fund high-demand healthcare fields. A board meeting is scheduled for the end of this month to discuss the realignment.
You can take action via the email platform provided here. It takes less than a minute.
The platform provides an email template that can be personalized. The name field will be automatically filled by the system upon sending. If you have a personal connection to the program, please include those details in your email to the board.
Time is of the essence on this one, as the Board of Trustees is set to meet Thursday, Oct. 29. Please take action today!
speak4.app/lp/ao01gnuw?ts=17…
FTGA retweeted
The future of #horticulture starts with collaboration.
The 11th Independent Plant Breeders Conference will bring breeders, growers and industry leaders together to explore new plant varieties, specialty crops and the innovations shaping tomorrow’s marketplace.
Learn more 🔗 tr.ee/horticulture-future-uf…
#KnowYourFlorida #FloridaNews
ALT A close-up of vibrant, multi-colored leaves with a text overlay promoting the UF/IFAS Independent Plant Breeders Conference. The text states: "Shaping the future of horticulture, UF/IFAS Independent Plant Breeders Conference brings leaders together." The UF/IFAS University of Florida logo is at the bottom.
FTGA retweeted
Please join us in congratulating @ErinBWilder on receiving the 2026 FTGA Wreath of Grass Award, the @FloridaTGA’s highest honor!🏆 Check out this edition of Turf Talk for the full recap of the award, presented by @MrTobeyWagner at the annual FTGA meeting: hubs.li/Q04CjrlT0
FTGA retweeted
📢 #Isaias Recovery Update 📢
Today is the last day to get meals at the Santa Rosa County feeding sites listed below.
🥫 Through @FLSERT's Human Services Branch, nonprofit & volunteer partners provide meals & a sense of normalcy for Floridians in recovery.
For disaster recovery resources & updates: 🔗 FloridaDisaster.org/Updates
For additional local assistance, find your county’s emergency management office: 📍 FloridaDisaster.org/Counties.
FTGA retweeted
Howard History!
Back in 1932, brothers J.D. and R.M. Howard were featured in this article, sharing their experience with Agrico fertilizer and the results they were seeing in Florida citrus groves. A piece of our history from the year Howard Fertilizer got its start in Orlando!
If you have an older irrigation system, this is for you—a reminder from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Check Your Irrigation Timer When You ‘Fall Back’ to Standard Time
swfwmd.state.fl.us/the-newsr…
What an incredible opportunity for a college student. Imagine that on your first post-university resume!
Recent UMass Stockbridge graduate, Dante Filadoro (first on left, back row, in photo) shares his experience working on the field crew for the FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in New England Blade > issuu.com/leadingedgepubs/do…
FTGA retweeted
#deathtolists
Here's 10 from the primate and my 50 years of playing. Mind you it is not top to bottom in any way: da COPPERHEAD, Pablo Creek, Links on Longboat, White Egret to Blue Heron (pic1and2), Sugarloaf Mountain (defunct pic3 paintings of holes 1 and 5), Sara Bay, Diamond Players Club(not so defunct), Tomaka Hills(not yet born), Pasadena Yacht&CC(a comer-wait n see pic 4), and of course my favorite muni Clearwater County Club.
FTGA retweeted
For the past 23 years, the "Corey for St. Jude Golf Tournament" has been held at @mlhotelandgolf (formerly known as Don Shula's Golf Club) in South Florida to raise money for @StJude in Memphis, Tennessee.
Named after Corey Sticco, son of the golf course's superintendent, Tim Sticco, Corey survived a childhood brain tumor and other intense treatments at St. Jude in 1997, inspiring the family and other surrounding businesses to start the charity event.
"It has been my absolute pleasure to not only play in the tournament, but also help organize many teams for Harrell's and our partners at BASF, ENVU, and Syngenta," said Harrell's Territory Manager, David Plunkett. "Always a tremendous turnout for such a worthy cause, hosted and organized by one of the finest gentlemen in this business, Mr. Tim Sticco. What an honor and a privilege it has been to be a part of such a great event every year!"
Congratulations to GCSI Tim Sticco, the entire Miami Lakes team, and all who played in this year's tournament to support such an important cause.
ICYMI, the Southwest Florida Water Management District has extended modified water restrictions through March 31, 2027.
swfwmd.state.fl.us/the-newsr…
Congratulations to Dr. Unruh from his friends at FTGA!
From WFREC:
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) West Florida Research and Education Center (WFREC) is pleased to announce that Dr. Bryan Unruh has been appointed Center Director, effective January 29, 2027.
Dr. Unruh brings 30 years of experience, expertise, and dedication to WFREC and is ready to take the reins. After earning three degrees from land-grant universities, he joined the WFREC faculty in 1996. Since then, he has established himself as a national leader in golf course turfgrass management science.
Dr. Unruh’s contributions include leading the development of both the Florida and U.S. golf course Best Management Practices manuals. His outstanding service to the industry has earned him numerous accolades, including a Lifetime Service Award from the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association and the Florida Turfgrass Association’s prestigious Wreath of Grass Distinguished Service Award.
The faculty, staff, and students at WFREC look forward to a bright and productive future under Dr. Unruh’s leadership.
As Dr. Unruh prepares to step into this role, current Center Director Dr. Wes Wood will retire in January 2027. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Wood for his exceptional leadership, dedication, and many accomplishments over the past 12 years. His contributions have made a lasting impact on WFREC, and he will be greatly missed.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Bryan Unruh on his appointment and thanking Dr. Wes Wood for his outstanding service to WFREC!
Save the Valencia College Plant Science & Agricultural Technology Program!
We need your voice to tell the Board of Trustees at Valencia College to reinstate the program!
Despite healthy enrollment and filling a vital need for the surrounding community, leadership at Valencia College in Central Florida have decided to terminate the Plant Science & Agricultural Technology Program at the end of this school year.
The program has long been a pipeline for the industry, as many businesses continue to rely on this program to hire employees upon graduation.
The college has stated that the reallocation will fund high-demand healthcare fields. A board meeting is scheduled for the end of this month to discuss the realignment.
You can take action via the email platform provided here. It takes less than a minute.
The platform provides an email template that can be personalized. The name field will be automatically filled by the system upon sending. If you have a personal connection to the program, please include those details in your email to the board.
Time is of the essence on this one, as the Board of Trustees is set to meet Thursday, Oct. 29. Please take action today!
speak4.app/lp/ao01gnuw?ts=17…
FTGA retweeted
Celebrating excellence across the Water Institute community. Congratulations to our 2026 Faculty Fellows and student award recipients, and thank you to everyone who joined us as we also celebrated the Institute's 20th anniversary.
Learn more: bit.ly/4i7pitg
