Choosing the title of this article was pretty easy. As I contemplated what stresses I face each day as Executive Director of the MTF, what I worry and fret about, what I need to accomplish to meet the needs of this Foundation, I realized it arises from success, not failure. What I live with each day and what challenges lay ahead for the Foundation are a result of the MTF, supported by this industry, being absolutely and wildly successful. We have is an industry driving the MTF that continues to expand economically, environmentally and politically. We created it, nurtured it and now it's running full tilt, and we're all trying to climb on board and keep it steered in the right direction.

Because of the success of the MTF (a result of a lot of hard work and dedication by those we respectfully refer to as the old-timers in this industry), we have created an interest and an excitement for turf in Michigan. The synergy and critical mass are here right now, so our expansion is measured in leaps. 10 original acres at the Hancock Center expanded to 55 acres; 4 faculty in the 1970's to 13 faculty now; student numbers that now make up 1/3 of the Department of Crop & Soil Science; and a partnership with MSU, MDA and MDEQ that is held up as an example for others to follow.

Here are some highlights:

Water:
Water continues to be a hot issue at the state capitol as well as in local communities. Senate Bill 289 has passed and will add a bit to the reporting fee for golf courses and other large landscape water users. For the most part, this law evolved from a restrictive monster to a very livable compromise. This will not be the last we see or hear about water at the state level and look for some federal input to come along. We'll be there every step of the way.

Phosphorus & Environmental Stewardship:
Several local phosphorus ordinances are in place and more will come as local governments deal with federal Phase II storm water regulations that mandate steps to reduce phosphorus levels in surface waters. Never mind that no one has done any significant research showing a cause and effect from P fertilization on turf and an increase in P levels in surface waters. Our industry is easy to blame and so it has become a focus on the local level. We are currently working with MDA and a number of advocacy groups to craft statewide legislation that would regulate phosphorus applications in a sound agronomic and environmental manner with the development of best management practices including soil testing. Unlike other states like Minnesota that have banned phosphorus use in municipal counties and restricted it in other counties, this legislation will allow phosphorus use based on sound science and proper agronomic practices. This will provide a consistent statewide regulation for all users of phosphorus.
Not only will this legislation recognize the current stewardship program on golf courses, it will set the framework for the development of other professional stewardship programs for lawn care, sports turf managers, school and commercial grounds managers; it will develop a homeowner education and outreach program; and it will facilitate much needed research specific to phosphorus issues. Reasonably increased fees will partially fund these activities and we are currently exploring other funding strategies to make this program a reality.

Labor and Community Development:
A major initiative continues to develop with the City of Detroit and some surrounding communities that will provide training to parks employees and other groundskeepers; expose K-12 children to turf as a job and career while providing an educational model for math, the sciences and other core subjects; and identify grant opportunities and sponsors to support this program. This initiative will have broad and far-reaching impacts on the economic vitality of our urban areas and on the educational development of our youth, especially those that may be disadvantaged economically. It will open up a motivated labor force for our industry and will provide opportunities to improve our urban green spaces, all using turf as a model.

Coupled with this initiative is an initial labor survey of the nursery, landscape and turfgrass industry. This survey and associated analysis will be completed this fall. It will provide facts and figures that our industry can use to secure resources and target our outreach and training efforts in support of programs like the one above.

Continuing Education:
Providing continuing education opportunities for members has been a consistent goal of the MTF. The turf conference, field day and turf school are all examples of this commitment. Now, with a turf program being developed for China that will utilize web-based and other distance learning technology, we have the opportunity to expand continuing ed to our members. Turfgrass classes can be offered in addition to other university classes in business, hospitality, labor relations and other program offerings that may suit the needs of our members. A committee is currently forming to develop a preliminary list of course offerings of interest to members. Any member input would be appreciated and if you want to serve on this committee let me know.

Communication:
The statewide directory is moving forward, with publication targeted for late winter of 2004. This is just another effort that the MTF is making to improve communication with all groups involved in turf. At the same time, this directory will generate some much needed funds for research and extension support. Other improvements in communication include: the MTF list serve for rapid release of information to members and a mechanism for members to respond back; a revised information packet for MTF membership that describes our mission and the benefits of membership; and an updated logo and description of the opportunities for giving to the MTF.

Research & Extension Support:
We continue to improve the grant request and review process. This year we implemented a call for pre-proposals that allows us to look at a more complete scope of potential research projects. As part of the review of these pre-proposals, we have expanded the review committee to a larger group involving all industry segments. This will provide more input and ensure the research needs and priorities of all groups are well represented. (See the related article on the pre-proposals.)

Challenges:
All these developments are truly exciting for our industry. The vision of the MTF Board inspired by our membership continues to keep the turf industry in a positive position with MSU administrators, state agencies, elected officials, and other commodity groups. The challenge that we face is continuing to secure resources to make all of this a reality. If we were to fund all of the pre-proposals submitted for just one year, it would require over $400,000.00. Expanding the stewardship program into lawn care, sports turf, school and commercial grounds requires similar resources. Our challenge is to expand, where possible, our current fundraising efforts, but more importantly seek additional ways to generate the resources to keep our industry moving forward with these programs.

As we move into the fall, I will be asking many of you to sit down with me and help develop and plan the strategy needed to bring all of this work to fruition. We will need to be creative, resourceful and energetic. Our success will bring a significant return to our industry that will ensure the continuation of what was started long ago, which has led to the fruits of what we enjoy today. I look forward to working with all of you as we move forward.

Tom Smith
MTF Executive Director