KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Six members of the University of Tennessee (UT) Turfgrass Team were recognized with the national Excellence in Extension Team Award for their impact and innovations that are expanding the turfgrass industry. The honor was presented Nov. 10 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Cooperative Extension and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).

 The award recognizes excellence of an Extension team in performing the work of Extension research, technical assistance and outreach education.

 “Our Turfgrass Team is one of the best examples of carrying out the land-grant mission of education, research and Extension,” said Keith Carver, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture senior vice chancellor and senior vice president. “They are recognized globally as experts in turfgrass management, and more importantly, they are eager to share their knowledge and grow their industry by reaching out to youth, students and young professionals one-on-one and through their innovative in-person and online programs.”

 The UT Turfgrass Team teaches, conducts research and provides Extension programs to serve the expansive turfgrass industry, which contributes more than $5.8 billion annually to Tennessee’s economy. The team addresses the needs of the state’s golf courses, sports fields, home lawns, parks and more. 

 During the pandemic, the team created the TN Turf Tuesday online learning series to take the place of an in-person field day. A one-hour webinar on the first Tuesday of each month of the growing season involved turfgrass managers from across the nation, allowing them to earn pesticide applicator credits and continuing education units from several professional organizations.

 The team created the Mobile Weed Manual, a free app developed from a UT Extension publication that has been downloaded by more than 12,000 users. The team also launched the UT Certified Lawn Care Professional Program to meet the needs of industry professionals to continue their education and expand their knowledge. Supervisors of employees who completed the program estimated that the economic value of the program to their business was $10,000 to $20,000 because of implementing practices learned and employee retention.

 The team, all of whom are members of the Department of Plant Sciences, include Jim Brosnan, professor and director of the UT Weed Diagnostics Center; Anna Duncan, Extension specialists in charge of the UT Certified Lawn Care Professional program; Brandon Horvath, professor whose work focuses on disease management; John Sorochan, a specialist in sports fields and golf courses; Tom Samples, retired Extension turfgrass specialist who worked 35 years with UT Extension and helped to build the program; and Rebecca Bowling, Extension turfgrass and urban waster specialist who was hired to take over Tom Samples’ position.

 “Turf management is vital to the U.S., covering over 40 million acres and contributing more than $52 billion to the economy,” Bowling said. “In Tennessee alone, the industry created more than 67,000 jobs.

 “The impact of our program is profound. Over the past three years we’ve reached more than 8,500 participants through our Tennessee Turf Tuesday series and over 100 individuals from 12 states have completed our certified lawn care professional program. Our team prides itself on innovation.”

 Members of the team are sought-after speakers, consultants, mentors and educators across the world and in the community. They visit middle and high schools to talk to students who may not realize a passion for sports or horticulture could lead them to careers in the turfgrass industry. Some of their students have found positions working for the NCAA, professional sports teams, golf courses and more or have continued their research and education.

 “We may not be food or fiber, but we’re very proud to grow the seeds on which many Americans live their life outdoors,” Bowling said.