We are excited to start our second annual Toro Grounds Leadership Podcast Tour in sunny Philadelphia with one of the best in our industry, Mr. Tony Leonard. When it comes to sports field managers, Tony has developed one of the best operations in the industry from their incredible staff to their outstanding internship program. He has brought in the next generation for over two decades. His perspective on turfgrass management lies in the culture of the organization and his crew. Be sure to check out this industry leader and how he is changing the game. Be sure to check out the most recent equipment from The Toro Company at toro.com

Be sure to check out this episode, where we dive into the background behind the engineer soils of DuraEdge Products with Patrick Coakley. We better understand the significance of how they produce their products to ensure the best and safest playing surfaces at all levels of play, from the Major Leagues to your local little league. We also discuss the unique culture of the company and the incredible professionals who are a part of their organization. This episode is brought to you by DuraEdge Products,

Be sure to check out their lineup of products at duraedge.com

We have an absolutely incredible episode with the new Coordinator of the Penn State Turfgrass Science program. We have an amazing conversation with an industry leader about the opportunity that Penn State Turfgrass presents to its students and the industry's overall growth. His passion for the industry and entomology is apparent in the way he shares his story and his love for his programs. Be sure to check it out.

Be sure to check out our episode with Stephen Lord of Advanced Turf, one of the best in our industry. We dive into all things Advanced Turf and how the company has grown to new heights and areas of the country. We also discussed our industry and all of the growth over the years since his time with the Cincinnati Reds. Just overall an incredible episode with an awesome human being. Check it out!

With the conclusion of Grounds Week, we had the opportunity to talk with the CEO of the Grounds Managment Association, Geoff Webb. We discussed all of the incredible work of the GMA and their advocacy not only for their members but for safe playing surfaces through their work on the development of the framework of proper field management. These frameworks go beyond the pitch and include significant work with leadership, budgeting, work-life balance, etc. Truly some inspirational works of the GMA, like the recent All Female crew working a sold-out women's premier league game at Arsenal. I cannot thank Geoff enough for taking the time! This is an episode you do not want to miss!

What an incredible episode with an exciting industry professional, Em Casey! We discuss all of the amazing parts of her work at Seven Canyons Golf Resort, including her work with the unique wildlife of Javelinas, which is one of the duties assigned when it comes to golf course superintendents and their work. We also dive into her work alongside other industry professionals when volunteering for big tournaments like the Waste Management Open and the Players Championship. She highlights all the incredible parts of being a part of this incredible industry. It is just a great conversation with an even better person. Be sure to check it out!

We are excited to wrap up our Toro Grounds Series with a podcast with Brentsville Turf Students who attended the SFMA Conference. If you ever wonder why our program is so special, you need to listen to these kids' excitement to be a part of this year's National conference. Meeting with industry professionals, presenting to the industry, and competing at the Collegiate Student Challenge. If you need inspiration, please listen to their stories and aspirations to be a part of this incredible industry. We want to thank The Toro Company for helping with that shared vision of the next generation of the turfgrass industry!

We are excited to have one of our favorite professionals on the podcast, Mr. Adam Russell of MVP Genetics. We have had the incredible opportunity to Partner with MVP Genetics over the past couple of years as we installed one of the best vegetative bermudagrasses out there, IronCutter Bermudagrass. In this podcast, we discuss how we collaborated from planning to installing the IronCutter to ensure not only a successful grow-in but also the creation of the best natural grass-playing surface in the country on Donald Lambert Field. This is an inside look into the specifics behind the maintenance of the SFMA National Football Field of the Year. We cannot thank Adam enough for all of his support of the Brentsville Turf Program and what he continues to do for our students. Truly one of the best out there! This is an episode you do not want to miss!

We are honored to be Partnering with the SFMA to bring you the 2024 Keynote talk- Beyond the Field: Utilizing History, Technology, and Mentorship to Define the Future of Sports Field Management. The members of the Panel included Mike Goatley, Ph.D., Abby McNeal, CSFM, Chad Price, CSFM, CFB, Leah Withrow, and Travis Hogan. I was honored to moderate the session to bring awareness to the important trends currently impacting the Sports Field Management Industry. Truly an incredible discussion with some of the best people in our industry. Be sure to check out the new SFMA Mentorship Program that the Association has developed to have the best possible impact on the future of our industry. We highly recommend that anyone considering becoming an SFMA member look at sportsfieldmanagment.org to understand better the benefits of how you can take your career to the next level. It has truly been the driving force in my career and how I have been able to create one of the best networks out there. We cannot thank the incredible staff of the SFMA enough for all that they do to make the National Conference and their continuous work to better our industry as a whole. Be sure to listen and understand why the Sports Field Management industry is so special.

For our next episode, we are live from the SFMA Trade Show floor at the Toro Booth. We sat down with the Toro Sports Fields and Grounds Marketing Manager, Josh Jans, and the Product Manager of Toro Utility Vehicles, Noah Wahl. This was an incredible opportunity to hear what is new with the Toro Vista and UTX vehicles and their overall impact on a ground crew's ability to be efficient. We also talked about the process they develop for your use and how your input is at the forefront of their work—truly an inspiring conversation. We also talked about the upcoming Toro Grounds Leadership Academy this summer. It is an experience like no other that focuses on the growth of a unique group of professionals. Do not miss out, and be sure to apply today at toro.com