A new industry driven campaign promises a major boost for the future of turfgrass research at the University of Florida. Led by golf course superintendents in the state, the Florida Turfgrass Industry Endowed Research Fund already stands at $400,000, with a goal of reaching $2 million.
The fund aims to bolster UF turfgrass operations as financial pressures mount at turfgrass programs at institutions across the country. Some, in Arizona, Kentucky and Washington, have already closed and others are under stress as federal funding becomes more difficult to obtain.
UF turfgrass scientists welcome the fund, which they say will help ensure the university’s own commitment to the turfgrass program. “We strongly believe that having this industry led and funded endowment ensures that UF will retain its globally recognized turfgrass program far into the future,” Dr. Kevin Kenworthy says. “This endowment doesn’t just make the future of the program more secure; it brings the industry and UF closer together.”
The endowment comes as the golf and turfgrass industry also faces increasing scrutiny of its performance in areas such as water use, water quality, land use and its impact on pollinators and wildlife in general.
“The industry must be responsive to the current concerns and get ahead of anticipated future issues,” Dr. Kenworthy says. “This endowment makes sure the UF turfgrass science program is taking on the issues of greatest importance affecting the industry.”
Researchers from UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences command a strong national and international reputation for cutting edge science on resource use, sustainability and disease and pest management. Some of that work is already funded by industry contributions through programs like the annual Rounds 4 Research online auction of donated tee times.
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Critically, the new endowment will bolster UF’s capacity to attract and retain the talent to perform that research.
“The endowment will help UF continue to attract the best trained and experienced PhDs, help them to achieve tenure and reduces the possibility of losing good scientists,” Dr. Kenworthy says. “When current faculty retire, the industry now has a good foot in the door to make sure those people are replaced with individuals that have the talent to meet current and future needs of the turfgrass industry.”
Initial funding of $375,000 came from two chapters of the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association – the Seven Rivers GCSA and the Everglades GCSA. It was quickly bolstered by a $25,000 donation from the Hoffman Family Foundation, established by former CEO of The Toro Company, Mike Hoffman and his wife, Tami.
Jason Frank, Harrell’s vice president of business development, marketing and research and development, is part of a group of senior industry leaders in Florida helping coordinate fundraising. “We hope and anticipate that other industry parties will get behind this effort that is truly in the best interests of the entire turfgrass industry,” Frank says.
“The future of our industry depends on the people we prepare today. As a UF graduate, I’ve seen firsthand how its turfgrass program turns education and research into real value for our industry. This endowment helps ensure the next generation has those same opportunities. Supporting that pipeline isn’t just an investment in UF; it’s an investment in the future of our entire industry.”
