SCIENCE
try to do a good job at standardizing the competition to make it fair for everybody , provide a safe space for the students to compete , and for it to be a repeatable competition every year . But oftentimes it gets boring ; they ’ re out there for too long and it ’ s not a simulation of the job — it becomes drudgery .
“ So my goal as I ’ m watching the competition — and as I get feedback at the end — is that the kids actually felt like they were doing something and having fun ,” he added . “ There are a lot of other times where we can be academic ; this is not one of those times . We don ’ t want them to play school ; we want them to have a taste of the industry . It ’ s a fast-paced , skill-involved industry , and we want them to see that .”
Letot ’ s second objective is to get the curriculum into the hands of the teachers and give them the confidence to bring turfgrass science into their classrooms in a significant way and find unique ways to teach the subject . He also hopes teachers are empowered to work with community members such as golf course superintendents and sports field managers — either via field trips or in the classroom — as partnerships that provide students with experiential learning opportunities . Development of industry partnerships is the third thing Letot would like to come out of the invitational .
“ If they have some unique ways that their industry or their company can provide some educational support to teachers and students , we would like for them to see it and jump on board . This is a train that we hope starts to leave the station slowly and they still have enough time to pick up the pace and jump on board .”
According to Letot , the first year of the competition is going to be a learning opportunity , and it will be golfcentric because it is being held at the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show . However , as the event shifts to the SFMA Conference in 2026 , event organizers will be assembling a task force of sports field management industry professionals to guide the direction of the competition .
“ We will have very unique skill sets needed to prepare a field ,” he said . “ So we will need folks that are in the sports field arena to help us out as part of the working group and the committee that helps guide those practicums . We want to make sure those students are going to do something that ’ s a preview and gives them a taste of the industry , but is also fun and engaging . We have a good deal of ideas , but we could use a good deal more ; so we will need all hands on deck .”
To learn more about the 2025 National Turfgrass Science Invitational , visit gcsaaconference . com / gcsaaturfgrass-science . SFM
Fostering the growth of turfgrass education
According to National Turfgrass Science Invitational Event Superintendent , Carson Letot , Ph . D ., partnerships between curriculum providers , such as iCEV , and university faculty has led to renewed interest in turfgrass education and development of improved curriculum for high school teachers . But when it comes to facilitating more interest in turfgrass science education and programs such as FFA , there are several routes that could foster the growth of agricultural education .
One of those routes is 4-H , which is typically run through the university extension system in each state and that particular state ’ s individual counties . “ It tends to be a surefire way to engage students no matter socioeconomic level or geography ,” he said .
FFA has a different process and structure from 4-H . High schools that don ’ t have an FFA program go through a process of soliciting community support . That process then moves to the school board level , a joint conversation with state staff and the state department of education .
“ The great thing is that there are new programs that start all the time ,” said Letot . “ It ’ s a conversation that ’ s complex , requires some planning and delivery , but it happens all the time .”
One of Letot ’ s former students — a recent graduate — helped launch an FFA program at a fairly urban school in Lancaster , Pennsylvania .
“ So it ’ s definitely possible ,” he added . “ When we see it happen , it ’ s neat for the teachers who start the new program . Everything ’ s novel and unique , and they start to tap into some of those students who are interested in turf .”
The hope is that the National Turfgrass Science Invitational will generate interest among those who hear about it and follow the competition . Even if they are not an educator or school board member , they may be a stakeholder in their local area and push for an FFA program as a result .
14 SportsField Management | January 2025 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com