Faculty Work Together to Provide Education, Research and Outreach to the Turfgrass Industry
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Turfgrass Team is on the cutting edge of the field. For their worldwide impact and innovations that are expanding the industry, the six UT Institute of Agriculture faculty members have been recognized with the national Excellence in Extension Team Award.
The award was among three national honors presented November 10 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Cooperative Extension and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU). The award recognizes excellence of an Extension team in performing the work of Extension research, technical assistance and outreach education.
The UT Turfgrass Team teaches, conducts research and provides Extension programs to serve the expansive turfgrass industry, which contributes more than $5.8 billion annually to Tennessee’s economy. The team addresses the needs of the state’s golf courses, sports fields, home lawns and parks. The team developed an industry-recognized certified lawn care professional program, an online weed identification app, and the TN Turf Tuesday podcast and videos. Their education and outreach connect to students and professionals worldwide.
“Our UT Turfgrass Team is one of the best examples of carrying out the land-grant mission of education, research and Extension. They are recognized globally as experts in turfgrass management, and, most importantly, they are eager to share their knowledge and grow their industry by reaching out to youth, students and young professionals one on one and through their innovative in-person and online programs,” said Keith Carver, UTIA senior vice chancellor and senior vice president.
The team, all of whom are members of the Department of Plant Sciences, includes:
- Jim Brosnan, professor and director of the UT Weed Diagnostics Center, which he helped launch. He coordinates multiple Extension events annually.
- Rebecca Bowling, Extension turfgrass and urban water specialist
- Anna Duncan, Extension specialist in charge of the UT Certified Lawn Care Professional program
- Brandon Horvath, professor whose work focuses on disease management
- John Sorochan, distinguished professor whose research focuses on performance for sports fields and golf courses. He was chosen by soccer’s global governing body, FIFA, to lead the UT-Michigan State University research program to produce optimum pitches for the 16-stadiums to be used for the 2026 FIFA World Cup 26™.
- Tom Samples, retired (2022) Extension turfgrass specialist who worked 35 years with UT Extension and helped to build the program. Bowling was hired to take over his position.
The impact of the team was evident during the pandemic when they started the TN Turf Tuesday online learning series to take the place of an in-person field day. A one-hour webinar on the first Tuesday of each month of the growing season, turfgrass managers from across the nation come together to earn pesticide applicator credits and continuing education units from several professional organizations. Recorded sessions were originally archived only on YouTube but in response to attendee requests, the UT Turfgrass Team now publishes archived audio on Apple Podcasts. Faculty from other universities have been guests on the series, and online attendees have included people from across the U.S. and 12 foreign countries.
The team also created the Mobile Weed Manual, a free app developed from a UT Extension publication that has been downloaded by more than 12,000 unique users. To meet the needs of industry professionals to continue their education and expand their knowledge, the team launched the UT Certified Law Care Professional Program, a self-paced online program. The program was created in response to Extension agent requests for training on the skills needed to effectively establish and maintain turfgrasses. Agents work in collaboration with UT Turfgrass Team members to recruit participants into the program. Supervisors of employees who completed the program estimated that the economic value of the program to their business was $10,000 to $20,000 because of implementing practices learned and employee retention.
Even as the turfgrass industry grows, it faces labor shortages. The team helps train the next generation of industry professionals. The turfgrass science and management concentration in the Herbert College of Agriculture has a high enrollment compared to others nationally and a high rate of job placement for undergraduates.
Members of the team are sought-after speakers, consultants, mentors and educators across the world and in the community. They visit middle and high schools to talk to students who may not realize a passion for sports and/or horticulture could lead them to careers in the turfgrass industry. Some of their students have found positions working for the NCAA, professional sports teams, golf courses and more or have continued their research and education.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach, the Institute touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. utia.tennessee.edu.