“D&K is one of the fastest-growing turf distributors in the Midwest, and they’ve earned that growth by staying close to the agronomic needs of their customers,” said Mark Jull, vice president of sales and marketing at Plant Fitness. “A family-owned business with that kind of momentum is exactly the right partner to introduce Plant Fitness to turf managers who are looking for something more than another fertilizer line.”

Plant Fitness products are built on unique ingredients that condition turf to perform under stress rather than recover from it, with university research backing from Arkansas, Michigan State, Virginia Tech and Oregon State.

“(Professionals) in our markets are dealing with everything from heat and drought stress to winter injury, and they keep asking us for solutions that go beyond the standard fertility playbook,” said Doug Krantz, president of D&K Products. “Plant Fitness gives our team a portfolio that directly addresses those needs. Adding this line is a meaningful step forward for what we can offer our customers across the Midwest.”

<p>The post Plant Fitness expands in the Midwest with D&K Products becoming an authorized distributor first appeared on Athletic Turf.</p>

Mitchell started his career in 1982 with Stephenson Chemical, now part of Veseris, as a sales representative. Over 30 years, he held various territory and division leadership, product management and marketing management roles within the industry before joining Albaugh in 2012 as director of specialty, where he was tasked with developing the company’s turf and ornamental business. When Albaugh acquired the assets of Prime Source in December 2020, Mitchell was appointed director of the new division. He oversaw the transition of the Prime Source brand to Albaugh Specialty Products in fall 2023. 

Watts began his career in the golf and turf industry in 1997 and spent 16 years in golf course management and facilities and branch management before joining Prime Source in 2013. He served as senior vice president at the time of the acquisition by Albaugh and joined the company as national sales manager — Specialty Products where he has managed sales efforts across the turf and ornamental market, supporting customers in golf, landscape, professional lawn care, nursery, sports turf and IVM pest control. He holds a Bachelor of Science in horticulture from Clemson University. 

“Russ and Justin have been instrumental in developing the Albaugh Specialty Products business through their leadership, deep industry knowledge and staunch commitment to our customers,” said Mark Helt, vice president – commercial. “As Russ prepares for a well-deserved retirement, we are grateful that his expertise will continue to benefit Albaugh during this time of transition. At the same time, we are excited to welcome Justin into the director role. He has consistently demonstrated strategic thinking and customer focus that will continue to build on Russ’ legacy and drive the organization forward.” 

<p>The post Albaugh Specialty Products unveils strategic leadership transition first appeared on Athletic Turf.</p>

“Strength and conditioning coaches are more involved in these decisions than they were a few years ago,” said Joe Fields, CEO of TenCate Americas. “Facilities, teams and performance staff are working more closely together, combining their perspectives. What that really comes down to is whether the surface performs the same way day in and day out with minimal maintenance, and can the surface make a positive impact on overall player availability.” 

The CSCCa conference took place from May 4-6 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. TenCate allowed attendees to step onto Pivot and experience it firsthand.

“Pivot really does play more like grass than any other turf,” said Mitch Hauschildt, prevention, rehabilitation and physical performance coordinator at Missouri State University, which features Pivot turf at its football stadium. “There is no rubber, no sand and no cork.” 

TenCate also supporting key conference programming, providing a 50-by-60-foot Pivot demo area for a Learning Lab session and the Master Strength and Conditioning Coaches’ (MSCC) Practical Exam Review Breakfast, which gave coaches a chance to experience how the surface feels and performs.   

“What we have really noticed with Pivot is that our athletes have lower rates of lower extremity injuries,” said Hauschildt. “To me, we have just forced our guys to be more efficient movers.  Pivot is forcing our guys to play within their frame and teaching them to actually do the stuff we’ve always wanted them to do.”

At the TenCate booths, coaches were also able to lace up and test the surface in cleats, working through acceleration, deceleration and change-of-direction patterns they use in training, giving them a direct read on how Pivot responds and behaves through repeated efforts.

“It’s not a full field, but coaches don’t need that to understand how similar this turf performs to natural grass,” said Colin Young, Ph.D., global director of research and development at TenCate. “Once they’re in cleats and moving, even in a small space, they can start to feel how the surface responds and whether it’s consistent from step to step. That initial feel goes a long way.” 
 
The appearance marks TenCate’s first at a strength and conditioning conference as part of a broader rollout of Pivot. Surface selection has traditionally been led by facilities and operations teams, with an emphasis on durability, maintenance and long-term field performance. That foundation remains critical, but programs are now looking more closely at how surfaces affect play and support athlete safety, according to TenCate.

“Everyone wants to know what they’re getting on every rep,” said Young. “If the surface is predictable, with the right balance of grip and give, it helps them manage workload, control fatigue and keep performance consistent over time.” 

TenCate stated that focus is driving greater involvement from strength and conditioning coaches in evaluating playing surfaces as they look to keep athletes available and performing across a full roster over the whole season.  

“They’re not just looking at specs,” Young said. “They want to understand how the surface fits into what they’re trying to do with their athletes day to day.” 

Developed by TenCate’s Center for Turf Innovation, Pivot is a high-performance turf system engineered without performance infill. Its fiber-based construction is designed to mirror natural grass, providing consistent traction and a predictable surface that supports speed, acceleration and cutting while holding up under repeated use in varying conditions, according to the company.

Pivot is backed by a 12-year outdoor and 15-year indoor system warranty.

<p>The post TenCate features new Pivot Performance Turf at the CSCCa National Conference first appeared on Athletic Turf.</p>

The new Forge Series is a complete system-level product line built to meet the NFL’s performance and safety standards while providing improved design options. At the heart of each system is Game ON, Shaw’s patented technology that integrates numbers, hash marks, yard lines and logos directly into the turf, eliminating the cut-and-glue inlay process that has long challenged maintenance and installation crews across the industry. 

The series includes: ForgeX, ForgeX-E, ForgeX Pro and ForgeX-E Pro — all designed with a range of features and benefits to meet the specific needs of NFL teams for their playing surfaces. 

Each Forge system was intentionally designed, tested and approved as a complete system under the NFL’s latest standards. 

Forge Series: Game ON

Traditional fields require numbers, hash marks and logos to be cut and inlaid, a process that creates ongoing maintenance demands and performance vulnerabilities at inlayed points. Launched in 2022, Game ON designs are integrated into the turf during manufacturing, resulting in fewer cut areas, less waste, easier maintenance and greater long-term performance consistency. 

Leveraging the power of Shaw Sports Turf’s Game ON technology, the new Forge Series offers significant improvements in design and performance for improved NFL experiences, according to the company.  

“We are proud to be among the first brands to meet the NFL Field Certification Requirements and Criteria, and we’ve continued to build on that foundation with a portfolio of four synthetic turf systems that now meet NFL standards,” said Logan Poillucci, Shaw Sports Turf brand manager.  

Requirements for NFL playing surfaces

In December 2025, the NFL announced its Mandatory Practices for NFL Playing Fields, which introduced updated official playing field requirements and guidelines and established deadlines for NFL team compliance. 

• 2026: Any NFL club installing a new playing surface must select a system meeting the league’s approved metrics and standards. 
• 2028: Every NFL stadium, domestic and international, must install a surface meeting the new NFL/NFLPA performance and safety benchmarks. 

<p>The post Shaw Sports Turf introduces new synthetic turf system meeting updated NFL requirements first appeared on Athletic Turf.</p>

Athletic Turf’s Seth Jones sat down with Dana and Tom to learn more about the company, their favorite tools and their use of technology to get the job done.

What should we know about Minnesota Sodding Company?

Dana Groh: We do commercial sod and seed work. Anywhere from installing sod all the way up to seeding, hydro-mulching, erosion control blankets. And then the other half of our company is maintenance. It’s not your normal, everyday maintenance that most people in the green industry consider. It’s athletic field renovations. So that’d be anywhere from topdressing, for example, all the way up to a full field renovation, where the field gets tired and it’s not level anymore.

Where are some of the places I might have seen your work?

Tom Groh: We work as close to home as the Minnesota Twins’ ball field, but we go all over. We do MLS fields, like Sporting Kansas City. We’ve worked for the Cubs. We’ve done work for the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Lions, the Colorado Rockies, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Chicago White Sox’ training facility and many projects in between.

What are your favorite tools to get the job done?

Tom Groh: Our Caterpillar skid-steers are doing really well for us. This year, we switched our entire fleet. We spent 12 years with another brand, and Caterpillar really put a nice package together. They have a nice machine. We run Echo backpack blowers, they’re just dynamite powerhouses for us. And also our Kubota tractors. Our local dealer, Niebur Implement, really supports us. We can’t complain at all, it’s all about the dealer and we’ve got a great local dealer.

What are some of your strategies on how you hope to make the business successful?

Dana Groh: We’ve been concentrating on a few different strategies. One of our strategies has been concentrating on our 10-year vision as a company. That’s been really helpful for everybody to see what the future vision of MSC is and our path forward, so everybody can work together as a team. Another one of our strategies is continuing to look into the future in technology, to see what will be able to help us and our business, to make us more effective as a company. And then finally, AI. We’re really digging deep into AI and how that will be able to help us. We’re looking at AI as a tool. We consider that one of our big strategies in our path forward.

How is MSC using AI?

Dana Groh: One of the big ones is developing standard operating procedures (SOPs). Before we got going with AI, just the thought of an SOP took so much brain power, the look and the feel. And how are we going to be able to make an effective SOP and make them so they all have the same feel and look? Being able to develop consistent SOPs where everybody can go to the same spot and find them and know what to do with them has been huge.

What is the best part of having your job?

Tom Groh: The best part is watching people grow. It’s pretty fun. And really, I’m a builder — I get satisfaction from watching things improve. Sod really feeds that. You can see instant growth. But watching our people grow, it’s a lot of fun when somebody has an aha moment and they get better. That’s the most satisfaction.

What makes you most proud about MSC and the work you do?

Dana Groh: One of the things I’m really super proud of is our team. We just really have a great team and everybody is always willing to dig in when the schedule gets tight, which is really fun. We will bring in people that don’t always work in the field, like they’re like an estimator. Or Tom and I will go out in the field, and that’s always fun. It’s a good opportunity to work together and do some team building. One of our favorite ballpark projects is at Target Field (home of the Minnesota Twins). We were the labor behind the original installation when the park was new, and now we go back and we help them out when they need help. Say they have a concert, sometimes the outfield will need a little sprucing up after. We’ll come after a concert and put out some new sod for them.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?

Tom Groh: A good friend of mine, his father was our mentor when we were in high school. We asked him: “What is the secret to success?” He just sat back and smiled and he goes, “The secret to success is only working half-days.” And we sat there like, sweet, this is going to be awesome! And then he goes, “It doesn’t matter which 12 you work.” So, we’ve been working 12-hour days pretty much since that day.

<p>The post Get to know Dana and Tom Groh of Minnesota Sodding Company first appeared on Athletic Turf.</p>

Turf Equipment Source has been a trusted provider of professional-grade turf solutions since 2003. Based in Phoenix, the company has built a strong reputation with deep roots in pre-owned equipment sales and field service.

Established in 2011, AgCon Equipment has developed a reputation serving farms, commercial properties and municipalities throughout Canada, including Winnipeg, Manitoba and beyond.

Founded in 1999, Abell Turf and Tractor has grown into a leading supplier of turf and grounds equipment. Supported by a large team of experienced professionals, it sells more than 40 product lines.

Cal Turf Equipment and Supply is a turf equipment dealership serving golf courses, schools, parks departments, community colleges and cemeteries across Northern California.

<p>The post Baroness USA expands dealer network across North America first appeared on Athletic Turf.</p>

Todd Loecke has been named to succeed Dave Ravel as head of sales, and Gregg Wisniewski has been named head of key accounts, professional solutions, for SPS. 

Loecke began his 35-year career with Syngenta in the crop protection business before joining SPS as a territory sales manager in the Midwest. He has since held several critical leadership positions, including Midwest district sales manager and, most recently, led the key accounts team. 

In his new role, Loecke will guide the entire SPS field sales organization to help customers successfully adopt and gain consistent performance from new innovations recently introduced across professional markets including Atexzo insecticide/miticide, Trefinti nematicide/fungicide, Vykenda insecticide/miticide and Vanecto Cockroach gel bait. 

“Todd’s agronomic expertise, deep customer knowledge, leadership experience and long-standing commitment to Professional Solutions make him the right leader to guide our sales organization forward during an important period of innovation,” said Dave Ravel, head of SPS, North America. “As we continue to bring new solutions to market, Todd’s understanding of customer needs will help ensure our sales teams continue delivering confidence and guidance professionals need to achieve effective control across every segment we serve.” 

Loecke will remain based in Urbandale, Iowa, report directly to Ravel and join the SPS North American Leadership Team. 

Wisniewski has been named head of key accounts for SPS. Wisniewski currently serves as head of business development for North America and brings a combination of global marketing leadership and hands-on key account experience to the role. His previous positions include head of global marketing for ornamentals and garden based in Basel, Switzerland, key account manager in the U.S. and professional pest management market manager. 

In his new role, Wisniewski will lead the SPS key accounts strategy while continuing to support strategic customers as they implement legacy and newly launched solutions. 

“Gregg brings a global perspective and a strong understanding of how innovation translates into customer success,” Ravel said. “His experience across ornamental, turf and professional pest management markets will be especially important as our key account partners adopt new tools and address evolving market challenges.” 

Wisniewski will be based in Greensboro, N.C., report directly to Ravel and remain a member of the SPS North American Leadership Team.

<p>The post Syngenta strengthens leadership team to drive future growth first appeared on Athletic Turf.</p>

Petry is owner of Greg Petry Consulting, and former executive director/CEO of the Waukegan (Illinois) Park District. Petry also served as president of the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) from 1994-95. 

Goatley is professor and extension turfgrass specialist, School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, at Virginia Tech University. He served as president of STMA from 2012-13. 

Presented at the conference by 2025 SFMA president Adam Thoms, Ph.D., the President’s Award is a special honor acknowledging individuals who have made significant contributions to the association and the profession. Petry and Goatley were recognized for their instrumental roles and dedicated service in supporting SFMA through the extensive search process for the organization’s new CEO, Paula Sliefert.  

“Greg and Mike exemplify the very best of SFMA,” said Thoms. “Their commitment, professionalism and willingness to step up during a critical time for our association made a lasting impact. On behalf of SFMA, I am incredibly grateful for their leadership and the integrity they brought to the CEO search process.” 

The recognition took place in front of peers and industry leaders during the conference, highlighting the importance of volunteer leadership and member engagement in advancing the sports field management profession.  

<p>The post SFMA honors two members with 2025 President’s Award  first appeared on Athletic Turf.</p>

Conversely, the top three home fields with an A rating were all natural grass — and two of those three fields are grassed with Tahoma 31 Bermuda. In fact, half of all NFL natural grass stadium fields are Tahoma 31 surfaces. 

Developed by the turfgrass experts at Oklahoma State University, Tahoma 31 pushes the geographic boundaries of bermudagrass into the northernmost reaches of the Transition Zone. Highly cold-tolerant, the name “Tahoma” comes from the Native American word that means “frozen water.”

Of the 13 NFL teams playing on natural grass, seven had Tahoma 31 on their home stadium field for the 2025-2026 season. In addition, the Kansas City Chiefs have Tahoma 31 at their practice facility, but not yet in the stadium. 

Here’s a breakdown of the Tahoma 31 NFL player preference rankings: 

• A: Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens 
• A-: San Francisco 49rs. This past season marked the team’s inaugural season with the grass. 
• B+:  Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Commanders 
• B-: Cleveland Browns 
• C : Chicago Bears 

<p>The post NFL Players Association Report Card: Players prefer natural grass over artificial turf first appeared on Athletic Turf.</p>

Envu is a global leader in environmental science, offering solutions to foster healthier environments, manage pests and control vector-borne diseases. Supported by a broad portfolio of established brands and best-in-class innovation capabilities, Envu focuses on professional applications across pest management, turf and ornamentals and vegetation management end-markets. Cary, N.C.-based Envu serves a diverse global customer base across more than 100 countries.  

“We are delighted to welcome GIC as a strategic investor in Envu, marking an exciting new chapter for our Company,” said Gilles Galliou, CEO of Envu.  “I would like to thank Cinven for its steadfast support and strategic guidance, which have been instrumental in driving our growth and success to date. Together with GIC and Cinven, we look forward to accelerating our innovation and delivering even greater value to our customers, employees and communities around the world.”  

Envu was created by Cinven in 2022 through its acquisition of Bayer’s Environmental Science professional business. Since then, Cinven has worked closely with management to drive strong earnings growth, notwithstanding a challenging macroeconomic backdrop, including through the following: 

• Executing a complex acquisition: Cinven executed a complex acquisition to establish a leading independent business with its own corporate identity and brand, standing up supply chain, IT and other enabling functions, also with the support of its Portfolio team. 
• Significantly strengthening the organization: More than 200 new hires have been made since the creation of Envu, including eight new senior leadership members. The company’s systems and processes have also been upgraded. 
• Accelerating organic growth: Leveraging its differentiated position, Envu has implemented a series of commercial best practices and executed more than 15 in-licensing deals to deliver strong organic growth. 
• Buy-and-build: The value-accretive acquisitions of FMC Corp. and In2Care have been completed, together with the Actellic portfolio expansion, broadening Envu’s solutions portfolio and footprint. 
• Operational improvements and organizational best practices: A number of initiatives have been implemented, driving profitability uplift, diversifying Envu’s supply chain and delivering sustainability best practices. 

 “We have been proud to support Envu’s transformation into a leading independent global environmental science platform,” said Pontus Pettersson, partner and head of industrials at Cinven. “We are excited to continue our ownership alongside our valued partner, GIC, working together to support the Company’s next phase of growth and longterm value creation. We believe Envu is well positioned to build on its momentum and further strengthen its leadership in the sector.”

“Envu’s progress … has established a world-class environmental science platform with clear strengths in innovation, portfolio breadth and customer relationships,” said Choo Yong Cheen, chief investment officer of private equity at GIC. “We share Cinven and the management team’s long-term vision and look forward to partnering with them to support Envu’s continued growth.”

<p>The post GIC purchases minority stake in Envu  first appeared on Athletic Turf.</p>