John Kmitta Associate Publisher / Editorial Brand Director jkmitta @ epgacceleration . com
MANAG EMENT763-383-4405
EPG Brand Acceleration 7760 France Ave . South , Suite 810 , Bloomington , MN 55435It ’ s an exciting month for SFMA , as the association introduced Paula Sliefert as CEO . I have known Paula for several years through her SFMA service and also her role with the Minnesota Park and Sports Field Management Association , but I was excited to have a more in-depth conversation with Paula to learn more about her background and her vision for SFMA moving forward ( see page 18 ). Paula has always been a strong supporter of the magazine and an advocate for industry professionals , and I look forward to working with her .
“ The University has committed to being environmentally conscious in our day-to-day processes of facility management ,” said Suddeth . “ When the EFC was created , we knew that it was one of the certifications that fit our model .”
Official Publication of the Sports Field Management Association ADVERTISING SALES Edwin Rosario | Marketing and Engagement Sales Executive ( 763 ) 383-4495 | erosario @ epgacceleration . com EDITORIAL Sr VP Sales / Group Publisher | David Voll Associate Publisher / Editorial Brand Director | John Kmitta Technical Editor | Chase Straw , Ph . D . Art Director | Lindsay Zigan PetersonUSC Upstate closely monitors and records inputs — whether fertilization or pesticides — to ensure zero negative impacts to campus surroundings . The university also has a sustainability initiative , and the EFC allows them to promote their efforts with this program .
AD MATERIALS AND QUESTIONS ads @ epgacceleration . com SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES ( 763 ) 383-4492 | customerservice @ epgacceleration . com REPRINTS Visit www . epgacceleration . com / marketing-services / and contact us today or email us at info @ epgacceleration . com .Also in this issue , SFMA Education Manager , Jennifer McLendon , M . Ed ., outlines current and future SFMA education initiatives ; so I thought this would also be a good time to remind everyone of SFMA ’ s Environmental Facility Certification ( EFC ).
“ Anything worthwhile is worth working for ,” Suddeth said of earning the certification . “ The EFC is something you work to achieve , as well as every day after that .”
DIRECT MAIL LIST SALES Kris Grauer | NPS Media Group kgrauer @ npsmediagroup . com | ( 203 ) 822-7933 Publisher ’ s Notice : We Assume No Responsibility For The Validity Of Claims In Connection With Items Appearing In SportsField Mangagement .According to Suddeth , the certification has made USC Upstate more aware of its environmental impact , has reduced inputs and related expenses , and has benefited enrollment as a recruiting tool .
SportsField Management ( ISSN PENDING ) ( USPS 000-292 ) ( Reg . U . S . Pat . & T . M . Off .) is published monthly by EPG Brand Acceleration at PO Box 96 , Port Jervis , NY 12771 .EFC was developed to help document the environmental stewardship of SFMA members , and is awarded to those facilities that meet the requirements . Certification also shows the public that you are utilizing the most up-to-date environmental practices .
Postmaster : Send address changes to SportsField Management , PO Box 96 , Port Jervis , NY 12771-0096 . For subscription information and requests , call Subscription Services at ( 763 ) 383-4492 . Subscription rates : 1 year , $ 52 US & Poss .; All subscriptions are payable in advance in US funds .“ Every sports field manager is an environmentalist whether we know it or not ,” said Suddeth . “ Due to the thoroughness of the program , there is a huge satisfaction in completing the application , receiving the accreditation and maintaining it .”
Send payments to SportsField Management , PO Box 96 , Port Jervis , NY 12771-0096 . Phone : ( 763 ) 383-4492 . Fax : ( 763 ) 383- 4499 . Single copies or back issues , $ 12 each US . Periodicals postage paid at Port Jervis , NY and additional mailing offices . COPYRIGHT 2025 SportsField Management . Material may not be reproduced or photocopied in any form without the written permission of the publisher .For insight into the SFMA EFC and its impact , I recently spoke with Bruce Suddeth , CSFM , director of building and landscape services at University of South Carolina ( USC ) Upstate , who said the SFMA EFC is a good fit with USC Upstate ’ s Higher Ed Tree Campus USA accreditation from the National Arbor Day Foundation .
For more information about SFMA Environmental Facility Certification , visit https :// www . sportsfieldmanagement . org / environmental-facilitycertification-program /