About Us

The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation is a non-profit organization which arose from the need for better turfgrasses and better methods of turfgrass maintenance. Since its incorporation in 1957, the MTF has achieved success in fulfilling these needs through research and education. Located at the Robert W. Hancock Turfgrass Research Center on the Michigan State University campus, the MTF continues its success in these areas by working closely with the University.

MTF Supports: Research Education Hancock Turfgrass Center Professional Turf Managers Cooperative Extension Legislative Interaction Turfgrass Conference Turf Field Day Environmental Education

Presentation of 1996 yearly total donations to MTF being presented to the University by Harry Schuemann (MTF President).

MTF members are representative of homeowners, golf courses, seed, sod and stolen growers, municipalities, parks and recreational areas, schoolboards, landscape contractors, lawn maintenance contractors, custom lawn applicators, athletic associations, cemetery associations and other facets of the industry.

MTF Past Presidents (from left to right) Kurt Thummel, Gene Johanningsmeier, Fritz McMullen, Tim Bogart, Gordy LaFontaine, Bruce Wolfrom, Jim Timmerman and Jon Maddern.

Administrating Business Affairs
The business affairs and the activities of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation are governed by a Board of Directors composed of twelve (12) members plus the Executive Secretary. The Board of Directors is composed of representatives from each of the following organizations or groups.

• Northern Michigan Turfgrass Managers' Association
• Western Michigan GCSA
• Michigan & Border Cities GCSA
• Mid Michigan Turfgrass Association
• A Commercial Turfgrass Supplier's REpresentative
• A Cemetery, Park, Sod or Sports Turf Representative
• A Lawn Care Representative
• A Lawn Maintenance Representative
• A Lawn Applicator Representative
• At Large Representatives
  

Sharing Important Information
Since its inception, the MTF has contributed over $1 million to support turfgrass research in Crop and Soil Science, Botany and Plant Pathology, and Entomology. However, what is discovered in the laboratory does little good if it stays there. So, in the common interest of the industry and the public, the MTF has implemented and continues to support the following programs:

Extension: The MTF profides important monies for transportation and expenses which allow MSU personnel to go into the field to help individuals solve their turfgrass problems.

Turf Hot Line: The MTF sponsors a hot line which provides up to the minute solutions to immediate problems facing the Michigan turfgrower.

Turfgrass Conferences: The MTF, in cooperation with MSU, holds an annual turfgrass conference each January. The purpose of this conference is to present the latest findings in turfgrass management, fertility, soils, diseases, weeds, varieties, pesticides and other timely topics.

Field Days: The MTF supports MSU Turf Field Day in East Lansing and the Northern Michigan Turfgrass Conference in Traverse City.