Turf and grounds professionals in Minnesota and beyond have benefited greatly from innovative research funded by the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation. Since 2001, we have donated over $1.75 million to the University of Minnesota (this is over $88,000 per year!); this funding has helped build strong applied research programs focused on turf and landscape management. The ongoing support from the MTGF has given these research programs a foundation from which to seek larger grants that generate new approaches to landscape management that help sustain our industry. Unfortunately, this past year has created a challenge for the MTGF as our primary revenue sources, Northern Green, which is a joint effort between MTGF and the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association, was not held in person and therefore did not generate sufficient income from which to make our annual donations for research.
We need your help.
To continue our important role in support of turf and grounds research, we are asking for donations from individual MTGF members. And, if you are on your Board, consider making a donation from your Association. In a normal year, you would’ve contributed to our efforts by attending the Northern Green, where you would have learned from leading horticultural educators, visited with vendors on the impressive trade show floor, and networked with your fellow green industry professionals. This year, you can have a positive impact by making a donation to help the MTGF continue our mission of funding research, outreach, and education for the turf and grounds professionals.
We hope you see this as an investment, one that will bring great returns in the form of new knowledge, more sustainable practices, and forward-looking approaches to maintain green spaces.
As a member of one of the seven allied associations, you are already a member of the MTGF. There are no membership fees associated with being a member or vendor member. However, you have received the full benefits through the mission of the MTGF. The MTGF Board is made up of two individuals from each of the seven allied associations plus two vendor members.
The seven MTGF allied associations are:
+ Minnesota Association of Cemeteries (MAC)
+ Minnesota Educational Facilities Management Professionals (MASMS)
+ Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents' Association (MGCSA)
+ Minnesota Park and Sports Turf Managers Association (MPSTMA)
+ Minnesota Society of Arboriculture (MSA)
+ Minnesota Sod Producers (MTA)
+ Minnesota Turf Seed Council (MTSC)
Funding provided by the MTGF through your participation has been able to leverage millions of more dollars for turf and grounds research.
The ramification was felt when the MTGF had to decide to put a hold on research grant funding for 2021 in hopes that we can return to normal in time for the 2022 funding season.
The Green Industry as a whole has been rewarded year after year through the research dollars granted by the MTGF and we are now asking for extra help for 2021 to be able to continue this same success. Please visit the MTGF website (www.mtgf.org/donations) where you can find additional information on how you can donate to additional turf and grounds research in 2021.
Thank you for your consideration. Please donate today!
