Industry News

GCSAA urges action on H-2B relief measure

GCSAA is urging its member to help preserve access to an expanded pool of H-2B seasonal immigrant laborers. The H-2B relief measure that allows previous workers to be exempt from the annual limit of 66,000 will expire on September 30, 2007 unless Congress passes the “Save our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2007.” The Act would exempt returning seasonal workers from counting against the annual national cap of 66,000 visas.

The H-2B guest worker program provides a legal source of seasonal labor for the golf course management industry. The annual cap of 66,000 is inadequate to meet the needs of golf facilities and more than 30 other small and seasonal business industries. Expiration of the extension on September 30 will severely limit the number of seasonal workers available.

GCSAA members can help ensure passage of H.R. 1843 and S. 988 by asking their federal lawmakers to become bill co-sponsors by sending them an e-mail. GCSAA has made the comment process simple and takes less than two minutes to send off a letter. The letter has already been drafted and all that's required is filling in contact information, which will be inserted into the e-mail. The system allows user to send themselves a "test" letter before emailing the official one to the lawmaker.

Send Senators an e-mail - http://capwiz.com/gcsaa/issues/alert/?alertid=10323751

Send Representative an e-mail - http://capwiz.com/gcsaa/issues/alert/?alertid=10323341

For help sending an e-mail, contact Chava McKeel, senior manager of government relations, at (800) 472-7878, ext. 3619 or cmmckeel@gcsaa.org.

Aquatrols joins FarmLinks partnership

FarmLinks has partnered with Aquatrols, an innovator in soil surfactant technology, to provide products specifically formulated and tested to help produce consistent, high-quality turf conditions.  According to the announcement, golf courses worldwide use Aquatrols products to maximize results from irrigation, fertilizer and pest management programs while conserving water and energy. 

Mark Langner, FarmLinks’ director of agronomy and applied research, said “At FarmLinks, we have been using Aquatrols’ Revolution and products since 2006.  During this time, Alabama has faced two years of drought, and these products have helped us maintain our turf quality throughout these poor conditions.

“This year, we found that we could stretch our water window out to seven days through mid June.  And even though we dried the soil profile out, we have been able to re-wet consistently.  We are on an every five- to six-day irrigation cycle now, and Revolution continues to perform as expected.”

“Golf courses receive considerable public scrutiny on water use as well as on the impacts of management practices on surface and groundwater quality,” said Erle Fairly, president of FarmLinks.  “Having Aquatrols as a partner in The Experience allows us to provide a more customized solution for superintendents who are facing these specific challenges.  We’re excited to have them here.”

Kathy Conard, Aquatrols marketing manager said, “The combination of tailored educational messages, hands-on participation and the opportunity to interact with peers provides an environment for superintendents to learn and make more informed buying decisions.  Aquatrols gets to showcase our patented chemistries and elevate the value of our products by having superintendents see our products in a real-world golf course setting."

Academy creates enthusiasm for irrigation careers

Twenty-five instructors from the U.S. and Canada attended the Irrigation Association Education Foundation faculty academy to enhance training of future irrigation industry professionals.

The high school, college and university teachers learned about pumps, pump systems, precipitation rates, electrical troubleshooting, scheduling, alternative water supplies and design capacity. The group also toured a Netafim facility and the Center for Irrigation Technology in Fresno, Calif.

“This was one of the best faculty academies we have had so far due, in part, to the professionalism of the instructors and the attendees,” said IAEF Trustee Lynda Wightman. “Quality instruction is the key to bringing professionals into the irrigation industry who are well-trained and capable of meeting growing demands for the most efficient and effective irrigation.”

Participant David Gerken, an associate professor at Oklahoma State University said he comes away from the academy each year with information he can immediately put to work in the classroom. Last year’s hydraulics lessons have already been incorporated into course work, and information from the latest session will be added in the coming school year.

The academy also generates enthusiasm and awareness of the wide variety of career opportunities in the irrigation industry.

Arborwell opens new operational headquarters

Arborwell, professional tree management company, has opened new headquarters in Hayward, Calif. The facility will serve as the company's headquarters and hub for Arborwell's East Bay field operations.

It is equipped with office space for executive and administrative staff, conference rooms as well as yard space to house 10 of its 25 service vehicles for the East Bay operations.