Tanner and Jeff host Sports Turf Manager of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, Tony Leonard on the show. Tony discusses maintenance practices he uses at Lincoln Financial Field and the practice facility, the NovaCare Center.  Tony will be utilizing bermudagrass year-round this season. Tony talks about the challenges of managing the stadium for two teams; the Philadelphia Eagles and the Temple Owls, as well as concerts and other non-football events. 

Tony is one of the best turf managers in the industry and we are fortunate to have Tony join us for a conversation about professional turf management.

Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host) 
Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host) 
Tony Leonard, Philadelphia Eagles 

You can find information on turf issues in the Turfgrass and Lawn Care section of the Penn State Extension website.

Tanner and Jeff have Dr. Ben McGraw and Dr. Pete Landschoot back on the show. In this episode, they discuss the recent outbreak of fall armyworms in Pennsylvania. They discuss the effects it has had on turf, as well as what can be done after damage occurs. A discussion is also had about preventative options.

Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host) 
Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host) 
Dr. Pete Landchoot, Penn State University (special guest)
Dr. Ben McGraw, Penn State University (special guest)

Lead photo: Jeffrey T. Fowler 

You can find information on turf issues in the Turfgrass and Lawn Care section of the Penn State Extension website.

Tanner and Jeff speak with Alex Steinman, Director of Grounds for the University of Maryland Department of Athletics. Alex talks about the performance and maintenance of Bermudagrass on athletic fields in Maryland. He discusses cultural practices including verticutting, fertilization, and overseeding.

Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host) 
Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host) 
Alex Steinman, Director of Grounds, University of Maryland


Lead Image: Alex Steinman

You can find information on turf issues in the Turfgrass and Lawn Care section of the Penn State Extension website.

Tanner and Jeff have Kristen Althouse on the show. Kristen is the Education Manager for the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA). She has been working with KAFMO and Penn State University to build a circulmulmn for high school agriculture teachers that can be used to teach students about the turf industry. Kristen has video training clips, lesson plans and all of the teaching aids needed to prepare FFA (Future Farmers of America) students for a Turf Career Development Experience (CDE) at the state level.     

Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host)
Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host)
Kristen Althouse, Education Manager STMA (special guest)

Lead Image: FFA.org

Episode links:
Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA)
Keystone Athletic Field Managers Organization (KAFMO)
Future Farmers of America (FFA)
Penn State World Campus: Turfgrass Degrees and Certificates

You can find information on turf issues in the Turfgrass and Lawn Care section of the Penn State Extension website.

Tanner and Jeff have Madison Manos on the show. Madison has 200 acres of grounds to maintain and she juggles all of the responsibilities as the ONLY full-time staff member dedicated to the fields. Though young, she brings lots of interesting experiences to the industry. Madison talks about entering the field that she has loved since a young age, as the daughter of a golf course superintendent, and later, the wife of a golf course superintendent. Madison serves on the KAFMO Board of Directors and during the show, she talks about her two biggest obstacles.

Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host) 
Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host) 
Madison Manos, Hempfield School District (special guest) 

Lead Image: Madison Manos

You can find information on turf issues in the Turfgrass and Lawn Care section of the Penn State Extension website.

Tanner and Jeff have Dan Douglas, Head Groundskeeper for the Reading Fightin’ Phils and President of the Pennsylvania STMA chapter, KAFMO (Keystone Athletic Field Managers Organization). Dan talks about how the chapter started and the benefits of being a member. He continues with the chapter's plans post-pandemic, and he discusses what his role is at First Energy Field.

Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host)
Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host)
Dan Douglas, Head Groundskeeper of the Reading Fightin' Phils and President of KAFMO (special guest)
KAFMO.org
Lead Image: KAFMO logo

You can find information on turf issues in the Turfgrass and Lawn Care section of the Penn State Extension website.

Tanner and Jeff invite Dr. Michael Fidanza, Professor of Plant and Soil Science, to talk about Fairy Ring, a turf fungal disease. Growing up on a mushroom farm in Pennsylvania, Mike has always been interested in the fungi. Mike talks about causes, control and discusses some interesting facts about fairy rings, and the location of the largest rings in the world!

Speakers:
Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host) 
Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host) 
Dr. Michael Fidanza, Prof. of Plant and Soil Science (special guest) 

Lead Image: Dr. Michael Fidanza

You can find information on turf issues in the Turfgrass and Lawn Care section of the Penn State Extension website.

Tanner and Jeff invite Chris Ball with Profile Products to join them for this episode to discuss the Little League Softball World Series.  Chris is heading up the volunteer grounds crew for the event that, for the very first time, is being held in Chris’s hometown of Greenville, NC.  

Chris talks about the field conversion from baseball to softball, coordinating the volunteers, and a lot more! The field that is being used has already had over 150 games played on it, and now the ESPN family of networks is showing up to broadcast every game in the tournament. Chris will use his many years of experience in minor league baseball to make the dream come true!   

Episode Hosts/Speakers: 
Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host) 
Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host) 
Chris Ball, Profile Products

Lead Image: Chris Ball, Profile Products

You can find information on turf issues in the Turfgrass and Lawn Care section of the Penn State Extension website.

George Peters, Supervisor of Grounds at Penn State University joins Jeff and Tanner on the podcast. George supervises all sports venues at Penn State except for baseball. During this episode, turf management of different fields is discussed, including changes made during the COVID pandemic. Beaver Stadium turf management is also discussed.

Episode Hosts/Speakers: Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host) 
Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host) 
George Peters, Supervisor of Grounds (special guest)

Lead Image: Penn State Athletics

You can find information on turf issues in the Turfgrass and Lawn Care section of the Penn State Extension website.

Tanner and Jeff talk with Dr. Doug Linde, professor of Turf Management at Delaware Valley University. They discuss the DVU turf program and give tips to making the most out of your student interns. Doug is also the golf coach for the University and conducts research at DVU in Doylestown, PA.  

Jeff Fowler, Penn State Extension (host) 
Tanner DelValle, Penn State Extension (host) 
Dr. Doug Linde, Delaware Valley University (special guest)

Lead Image: Jeff Fowler

You can find information on turf issues in the Turfgrass and Lawn Care section of the Penn State Extension website.