TPI Education Conference and Field Day recap

Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) held its annual Education Conference and Field Day at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort and Spa in California February 14-17, 2022.

More than 500 attendees networked for a week on the water, in the board rooms, and over tacos – gathering from 95 farms, 38 states, and 11 countries, including South Africa, Luxembourg, Germany, Turkey, and Argentina.

Highlights included:

  • Monday on the water – TPI took to the high seas for its yearly conference activity day. The large group split into three and experienced the Pacific Ocean differently: One group headed to La Jolla for kayaking experience of a lifetime; another group boarded a large catamaran and ventured across the San Diego Bay; and the last group spent the morning exploring the USS Midway.
  • The Lawn Institute Casino Night – Attendees enjoyed a night under the stars surrounded by friends and family to benefit The Lawn Institute. With carving stations and casino games spread around the pool deck, attendees celebrated reuniting and The Lawn Institute while attempting to win some fun prizes.
  • Education – There were two full days of education relevant to the current trends in the industry. It began with an informative keynote address from Bruce Vincent, a third-generation logger from Libby, Montana. Dr. Casey Reynolds continued the conversation with a brief Proposed Sod Checkoff presentation. Additionally, Dr. Reynolds presented the work TPI has completed in the last year in partnership with the USDA. Dr. Aaron Patton and Dr. Jay McCurdy each presented an agronomic session. Dr. Patton shared information on Sod Strength in Cool Season grass. Dr. McCurdy spoke in Herbicide Resistance, specifically Poa Annua. Challenges in labor, specifically in the H2A realm, were a popular topic. The final keynote speaker, Sarah Frey, shared her inspirational story and how her family constantly evolves their business and practices as struggles come their way. The show was rounded out by the ever-popular Show and Tell session with five new TPI Board Members.
  • TPI Field Day 2022 – Thanks to American Sod Farms, it was a wonderful field day for attendees and supplier members. The weather was beautiful, and the grass was perfect for harvesting demonstrations.

TPI was thrilled to be back in person and is looking forward to the future events planned: Nashville for its Winter Conference and Detroit for the Summer Convention & Field Day in 2023!

For the full event recap, visit https://www.turfgrasssod.org/tpi-2022-international-education-conference-field-day-recap/