Association News

image_pdf
Harper’s ATM 162

Harper Receives AE50 Award

The American Society for Agricultural & Biological Engineering presented Harper Industries with an AE50 Award for exceptional design innovation for Harper’s ATM (All-Terrain Mower) 162. Other companies honored at ASABE’s national conference include John Deere, Case New Holland and Agco.

The Kansas Department of Transportation was involved in designing the mower and assisted with testing of early prototypes.

Turgeon to Present Keynote Address

Organizers of the 2008 Ohio Turfgrass Conference & Show, December 8-11, Columbus, Ohio, announced Dr. Al Turgeon, Penn State University, as this year’s keynote speaker. He will speak December 9 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. His presentation, “Implications of Global Warming: Cultural Relief and Future Management Strategies,” will review current projections of global warming, explain the scientific basis for these projections and propose management strategies for developing and maintaining golf, sports and lawn turf, given the climate changes that may occur over time.

Turgeon completed his bachelor’s degree at Rutgers University and his doctorate at Michigan State University. He has worked at the University of Illinois, Texas A&M University and Tru-Green Corp. In 1986 he joined Penn State, where he currently coordinates all resident undergraduate and online instructional programs in turfgrass science and management.

Notes from PLANET

Applications are now being accepted for 2009 PLANET Academic Excellence Foundation scholarships. Students enrolled in landscape contracting and horticulture programs at two and four-year institutions are encouraged to apply. Applications are available at www.landcarenetwork.org and must be submitted by December 1, 2008.

PLANET AEF is also accepting nominations for its 2009 Outstanding Educator of the Year Award. Applications are available online and must be submitted by February 2, 2009. Educators nominated must be a professor at a two or four-year institution with significant programs dedicated to the green industry field. They also need to have devoted time, energy and enthusiasm to their programs and to have made a noteworthy contribution to education in the green industry.

PLANET has launched a new educator mentoring initiative to give PLANET faculty members the opportunity to share best practices. Educator Trailblazers set aside a full day annually to provide on-site mentoring to another PLANET green industry educator. Educator Trailblazers are educators who were nominated by their peers for their contributions to the green industry, and currently include Phil Allen, Richard Ansley, Rex Bishop, Steven Cohan, Laura Deeter, Kent Hammond, Martha Hill, Jack Ingels, Catherine Lavis and Randey Wall.

Green Industry Partners Launch Career Web Site

The American Nursery & Landscape Association, the Professional Landcare Network, the American Society for Horticultural Science and 28 state green industry associations have launched a new Web site, www.theLandLovers.org, aimed at junior high and high school students and focused on raising awareness of green industry careers. The site provides a comprehensive overview of career options, information debunking current myths and on where to pursue higher education, and current job openings by state.

ASLA Presents Student Awards, Honorary Memberships

The American Society of Landscape Architects announced the winners of the 2008 Student Awards. Representing the top student honors in the profession, ASLA presented the awards to 20 projects from 11 colleges and universities at its annual meeting. Further information is available at www.asla.org/awards/2008/studentawards.

ASLA has conferred honorary membership upon 13 individuals for their work in education, government and environmental activism. Honorary membership is among the highest honors ASLA may bestow upon non-landscape architects. The newest honorary members are Jerry E. Abramson, Michael R. Bloomberg, Jim and Betsy Chaffin, Adele Chatfield-Taylor, Paul Farmer, Steven N. Handel, William Hudnut, William McDonough, Greg Nickels, Robert Redford, Kristen Richards and Allyson Schwartz.

ASGCA Publishes Third Edition of Book

The environmental committee of the American Society of Golf Course Architects has published the third edition of “An Environmental Approach to Golf Course Development.” All three editions have been written and edited by committee Chairman Bill Love. The full-color, 57-page book includes background and instructions for anyone involved in the development of a new layout or the remodeling of an existing golf course. The book includes 18 new case studies from throughout North America and an expanded reference section.