Ruppert Landscape Appoints Kang President & COO
Jessica Schwartz
Annie’s Project Celebrates 20 Years of Empowering Women in Agriculture
Annie’s Project, a national non-profit to educate and empower women in agriculture, is celebrating 20 years since its founding. Today, the program has over 19,000 graduates across 38 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Annie’s Project is an education program for women in agriculture and uses a methodology that builds confidence, develops networks and creates lifelong learners among women farmers, ranchers, growers, landowners, and agriculturalists. The inaugural class of 10 women met in February 2003 in Centralia, IL, and several members of the group gathered again for a virtual meeting via Zoom to share memories of those early meetings and the impact Annie’s Project has had on their farms and lives this month to commemorate the milestone. Annie’s Project is based on the life of a farm woman, Annie Fleck, who spent her lifetime learning how to be an involved business partner with her husband. She died in 1997 and was the inspiration for her daughter, Ruth Fleck Hambleton, to create Annie’s Project in 2003. Hambleton was a Farm Business Management and Marketing Educator for University of Illinois Extension at the time. “Watching Mom and everything she did gave me tremendous empathy for what women were going through on the farm operation,” says Hambleton. In Annie’s Project classes, trained facilitators provide safe harbor, connection, discovery, and shared experiences. Vetted instructors and presenters deliver unbiased research-based information to small, dynamic groups of women. The core of Annie’s Project are two courses that address the five areas of risk identified by USDA. ...
What’s Next? Self-Driving Tractors
Robotic mowers have become a familiar technology in the lawn care and landscaping business. But what if that technology was applied on a larger scale? At a recent event, Intel demonstrated the possibilities that result when a high-bandwidth, low-latency private 5G wireless network is paired with edge computing devices. Intel collaborated with Federated Wireless and autonomous devices specialist Blue White Robotics (BWR) to deliver technology that enabled self-driving tractors at a California vineyard to automate repetitive tasks and free workers to take on higher-value responsibilities. “BWR approached us with a specific problem,” explained Bhupesh Agrawal, director of Private Wireless Networks and Edge Computing in Intel’s Network and Edge Solutions Group. “They had a fleet of autonomous tractors in rural farmland, but these machines couldn’t talk with each other as there was almost zero connectivity on the farm. Without connectivity, there is no opportunity to process real-time data.” Working together for more than a year, the three companies solved the problem and the autonomous tractors were put to work on repetitive tasks – weeding, mowing and applying herbicides – in the farm’s two square miles of grapevines. Here’s how it works: After a farmer plots the tractors’ routes, the fleet of tractors move across the vineyard in two shifts around the clock, navigating their way through fields without any humans at the wheel. Sensors on the tractors detect obstacles in their paths, while other sensors steer them around any anomalies. Federated Wireless deployed a private wireless network to overcome a connectivity ...
International Turfgrass Foundation Awards Two Individuals
Musser Foundation selects Travis Russell and Dr. Devon Carroll as 2022 Award of Excellence recipients. The Musser International Turfgrass Foundation has selected both Travis Russell and Dr. Devon Carroll as 2022 Award of Excellence recipients. The Musser Award is given to outstanding Ph.D. candidates who, in the final phase of their graduate studies, demonstrated overall excellence throughout their doctoral program in turfgrass research. In rare years where top candidates are equally excellent, the foundation makes two awards. Russell received his B.S. degree in Horticulture, Landscape, and Turf Sciences at the University of Arkansas. He went on to earn his M.S. from University of Arkansas in Horticulture, where his thesis research focused on determining precise light requirements for golf course turfgrasses in the transition zone. Russell is currently completing his Ph.D. in Agronomy at Pennsylvania State University. In May of 2022, Russell will start as the technical services representative for the golf and lawn care industry for Bayer Environmental Sciences Canada. Dr. Devon Carroll received her B.S. degree in Turfgrass Science and M.S. degree in Agronomy focused in turfgrass at Penn State. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in Plant, Soil, and Environmental Science concentrated in weed science from the University of Tennessee. While at UT, she concurrently earned a second master’s degree in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications focused on recruiting women to the turfgrass industry. Post graduation, Dr. Carroll has continued her research career as a Development Scientist contractor with Bayer Environmental Science. Dr. Carroll plans to focus her future work on herbicide ...
International Turfgrass Foundation Awards Two Individuals
Musser Foundation selects Travis Russell and Dr. Devon Carroll as 2022 Award of Excellence recipients. The Musser International Turfgrass Foundation has selected both Travis Russell and Dr. Devon Carroll as 2022 Award of Excellence recipients. The Musser Award is given to outstanding Ph.D. candidates who, in the final phase of their graduate studies, demonstrated overall excellence throughout their doctoral program in turfgrass research. In rare years where top candidates are equally excellent, the foundation makes two awards. Russell received his B.S. degree in Horticulture, Landscape, and Turf Sciences at the University of Arkansas. He went on to earn his M.S. from University of Arkansas in Horticulture, where his thesis research focused on determining precise light requirements for golf course turfgrasses in the transition zone. Russell is currently completing his Ph.D. in Agronomy at Pennsylvania State University. In May of 2022, Russell will start as the technical services representative for the golf and lawn care industry for Bayer Environmental Sciences Canada. Dr. Devon Carroll received her B.S. degree in Turfgrass Science and M.S. degree in Agronomy focused in turfgrass at Penn State. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in Plant, Soil, and Environmental Science concentrated in weed science from the University of Tennessee. While at UT, she concurrently earned a second master’s degree in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications focused on recruiting women to the turfgrass industry. Post graduation, Dr. Carroll has continued her research career as a Development Scientist contractor with Bayer Environmental Science. Dr. Carroll plans to focus her future work on herbicide ...
RISE Elects Leadership, Honors Volunteers During 31st Annual Meeting
Nearly 500 participants representing companies that provide pest and plant health solutions for the specialty pesticide and agriculture markets met in Aventura, FL September 12-15, 2021 to collaborate, strengthen relationships and share information. The joint annual meeting of RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)® and CropLife America took place virtually and in-person. RISE President Megan Provost, who joined the association in December 2019 before the pandemic, led her first in-person annual meeting and encouraged meaningful collaboration and engagement. “Advocacy is always more effective when we build and maintain strong partnerships,” said Provost. “By collaborating and engaging meaningfully with our internal and external audiences, by convening a forum for partnership and information-sharing, and by amplifying our collective impact by acting as a force-multiplier, RISE can build and develop our membership and our coalitions to promote and protect access to pesticides and fertilizers.” New Governing Board Members The RISE Governing Board elected one new member during the meeting: Bill Culpepper, SePRO Corporation. The Board also elected its 2022 Executive Committee: Stephanie Jensen, Chair, BASF John Smith, Vice Chair, AMGUARD Environmental Technologies Karen Larson, Treasurer, Clarke Completing his term on the Governing Board is Neil Cleveland, PBI/Gordon Corporation. Those continuing their terms on the 2022 Governing Board are: Daryl Allen, Corteva Agriscience Kathy Bishop, Lebanon Seaboard Corporation John Johnson, Prokoz, Inc. Scott Lazarczyk, SBM Life Sciences Todd Mason, Sipcam Agro USA Jose Milan, Bayer Blaine Pinkerton, Nufarm Americas, Inc. Scott Reasons, Syngenta Brian Rowan, SiteOne Landscape Supply Nadia Sinno, FMC Corporation RISE ...
RISE Elects Leadership, Honors Volunteers During 31st Annual Meeting
Nearly 500 participants representing companies that provide pest and plant health solutions for the specialty pesticide and agriculture markets met in Aventura, FL September 12-15, 2021 to collaborate, strengthen relationships and share information. The joint annual meeting of RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)® and CropLife America took place virtually and in-person. RISE President Megan Provost, who joined the association in December 2019 before the pandemic, led her first in-person annual meeting and encouraged meaningful collaboration and engagement. “Advocacy is always more effective when we build and maintain strong partnerships,” said Provost. “By collaborating and engaging meaningfully with our internal and external audiences, by convening a forum for partnership and information-sharing, and by amplifying our collective impact by acting as a force-multiplier, RISE can build and develop our membership and our coalitions to promote and protect access to pesticides and fertilizers.” New Governing Board Members The RISE Governing Board elected one new member during the meeting: Bill Culpepper, SePRO Corporation. The Board also elected its 2022 Executive Committee: Stephanie Jensen, Chair, BASF John Smith, Vice Chair, AMGUARD Environmental Technologies Karen Larson, Treasurer, Clarke Completing his term on the Governing Board is Neil Cleveland, PBI/Gordon Corporation. Those continuing their terms on the 2022 Governing Board are: Daryl Allen, Corteva Agriscience Kathy Bishop, Lebanon Seaboard Corporation John Johnson, Prokoz, Inc. Scott Lazarczyk, SBM Life Sciences Todd Mason, Sipcam Agro USA Jose Milan, Bayer Blaine Pinkerton, Nufarm Americas, Inc. Scott Reasons, Syngenta Brian Rowan, SiteOne Landscape Supply Nadia Sinno, FMC Corporation RISE ...
Wayne County, TN Winner Of Kubota “Hometown Proud” $100K Grant
Kubota Tractor Corporation has announced the winner of the Kubota “Hometown Proud” community revitalization grant program — Wayne County Ag Center, in Collinwood, TN. Wayne County will receive a $100,000 grant and loaned equipment from Kubota to help develop the grounds for the county’s first and only dedicated Agricultural Center (Ag Center). Kubota announced its first-ever community revitalization grant program, “Hometown Proud,” on March 11, 2021 calling on cities, towns, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations from across the United States to submit an application for consideration. Nearly 400 grant applications were received from nearly every state in the country, demonstrating diverse needs from communities big and small. In May 2021, Kubota identified the top five finalists and then called on the public to vote to help determine the winner of the $100,000 grant and use of Kubota equipment to refresh or revitalize a community project. “Kubota is built upon the idea that together we can do more, and through the support of our communities, our customers and our dealers anything is truly possible,” said Todd Stucke, Kubota senior vice president, marketing, product support & strategic projects. “We called upon the public to vote to help us decide which of these incredibly deserving communities would receive the much-needed funding and hard-working Kubota equipment and we are pleased to award Wayne County with the grand prize. We hope our excavators and tractors will be just the tools needed to bring Wayne County’s vision to life.” Wayne County is beginning construction of the Ag ...
Wayne County, TN Winner Of Kubota “Hometown Proud” $100K Grant
Kubota Tractor Corporation has announced the winner of the Kubota “Hometown Proud” community revitalization grant program — Wayne County Ag Center, in Collinwood, TN. Wayne County will receive a $100,000 grant and loaned equipment from Kubota to help develop the grounds for the county’s first and only dedicated Agricultural Center (Ag Center). Kubota announced its first-ever community revitalization grant program, “Hometown Proud,” on March 11, 2021 calling on cities, towns, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations from across the United States to submit an application for consideration. Nearly 400 grant applications were received from nearly every state in the country, demonstrating diverse needs from communities big and small. In May 2021, Kubota identified the top five finalists and then called on the public to vote to help determine the winner of the $100,000 grant and use of Kubota equipment to refresh or revitalize a community project. “Kubota is built upon the idea that together we can do more, and through the support of our communities, our customers and our dealers anything is truly possible,” said Todd Stucke, Kubota senior vice president, marketing, product support & strategic projects. “We called upon the public to vote to help us decide which of these incredibly deserving communities would receive the much-needed funding and hard-working Kubota equipment and we are pleased to award Wayne County with the grand prize. We hope our excavators and tractors will be just the tools needed to bring Wayne County’s vision to life.” Wayne County is beginning construction of the Ag ...
