On September 24, the Oregon Sports Field Management Association (ORSFMA) held an annual event at Delta Park in Portland, Oregon. Various product demonstration stations were set up around the infield and home plate areas on one of the softball fields, along with vendor stations around the warning track. There were also stations set up on the synthetic soccer field.
More than 45 people from local parks, schools and universities attended the event along with 19 vendors and exhibitors — which included autonomous mowers, robotic painters, logo removal equipment, and product information. Each vendor/exhibitor was given 5-8 minutes to do a quick presentation or demonstration, guided by the Oregon chapter board members. There were four stations with four to five vendors at each station. This allowed all attendees to visit each vendor without wandering off to other sites.
Registration began at 7 a.m. with introductions at 8 a.m. followed by a group photo around the ORSFMA painted logo. Groups then moved to their assigned stations. Stations ended around 11 a.m., at which time a box lunch was provided to attendees. This gave time for attendees to interact with ORSFMA members.
The Kentucky Sports Field Management Association (KYSFMA) has officially been established as the newest state chapter of the national Sports Field Management Association (SFMA).
The formation of KYSFMA marks an exciting milestone for sports field professionals across the commonwealth, providing a statewide network dedicated to education, collaboration and professional growth. The chapter’s mission is to connect sports field managers, parks and recreation professionals, schools, universities and commercial partners to share knowledge, showcase innovation and promote safe, high-quality playing surfaces for athletes at every level.
KYSFMA plans to host educational events, field days and networking opportunities throughout Kentucky, highlighting best practices in turfgrass and facility management while fostering community and leadership development within the industry.
The inaugural board of directors includes:
President: Deanna Trusty, NKY Pro Turf & Lawn / A & A Lawncare & Landscaping
Vice President: Eric Harshman, Project Manager/Athletics — SSC Services for Education
Secretary/Treasurer: Marcus Elswick, Head Sports Turf Manager at University of Kentucky
Commercial Vice President: Marcus Dean, Advanced Turf Solutions
At-Large Directors:
Aaron Fink, Senior Manager of Grounds for Louisville City FC & Racing Louisville FC
Chase Watson, Turf Manager at Elizabethtown Sports Park
Eric Varner, Varner’s Turf Management
Kenneth Clayton, Turfgrass Extension Associate at the University of Kentucky
For more information or to become a member, visit www.kysfma.org or connect with them on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/1287913436013710
Instagram: instagram.com/KYSFMA
X (Twitter): twitter.com/KYSFMA
Join Ohio’s premier green industry event for turfgrass and landscape professionals. The Ohio Turfgrass Foundation (OTF) Conference and Show will be held December 9-11, 2025.
Connect with peers and discover cutting-edge education, networking opportunities, and one of the most impactful regional trade shows of its kind.
The OTF Conference and Show brings together leading experts and professionals from all sectors of the green industry. Whether your focus is turfgrass management, landscape design or grounds maintenance, you’ll find the insights and connections you need.
OTF educational sessions are led by renowned researchers and industry experts. More than 50 hours of ODA pesticide recertification credits will be available.
Explore the latest products and services from exhibitors. The OTF trade show floor is the perfect place to immerse yourself in what’s new and what’s next in the turfgrass industry.
For more information, visit https://ohioturfgrass.org
When the Red Roses lifted the trophy at the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final, they did so on a pitch entirely prepared by an all-female team — a first in the history of the sport.
Brought together by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), this team of 15 women had complete ownership of pitch preparation, taking full responsibility for delivering the playing surface, making key decisions, and setting a new standard for what a collaborative, inclusive approach to grounds management can achieve.
These trailblazing women oversaw every detail as the Allianz Stadium team stepped back, empowering them to make independent decisions and showcase their expertise. The result was a world-class pitch that allowed players to perform at their absolute best, contributing to the high quality of play and the Red Roses’ incredible victory.
“This project gave us the freedom to try things, make decisions, and trust our instincts,” said Liddy Ford, a member of the group’s leadership team. “It was empowering to know that every choice we made, from how we prepared the surface to how we presented it on matchday, had a direct impact on the game. Seeing the players lift the trophy on a pitch we delivered was an amazing moment.”
As the tournament concluded, the team left with a shared commitment to work together to raise the profile of women in grounds management, to encourage more women to join this sector, and to ensure opportunities like this continue to grow.