The New York State Turfgrass Association's 2006 Turfgrass Advocacy Day took place Feb. 1, 2006, and featured an address by Senator Catharine Young, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. After a morning orientation period, 57 attendees met with their senators and assembly members during 50 legislative appointments. They had the opportunity to discuss issues of concern, inform policy makers of the impact of environmental legislation, and report on research findings pertinent to the turfgrass industry.
The day began with an association breakfast as Lee Telega, senior extension associate with Cornell University and Jeff Williams, legislative director with the New York Farm Bureau, presented "Legislative Climate and Budget Issues.” Michael Maffei, president of NYSTA and a certified golf course superintendent with Back O’Beyond, presented the results of the New York Turfgrass Survey, which is based on data taken in 2003. It documented the turfgrass industry contributed five billion dollars to the economy of New York State.
Steve Griffen, co-owner of Saratoga Sod Farm and NYSTA past president, gave funding recommendations for the Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Fund, which supports professionalism through education and research, while advocating environmentally responsible management. Griffen later presented the objectives of the New York Farm Viability Institute, which is an important and exciting initiative to strengthen New York’s agricultural, food and green industries.
Chris Revere, lobbyist for the New York Alliance for Environmental Concerns, presented the status of legislation regarding the restricted use of pesticides. This was followed by Larry Wilson, owner of Lawrence Landscape Design and Chairman of the New York Alliance for Environmental Concerns. He discussed the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance whose goal is to reduce fatalities, injuries and incidents by improving safety compliance vehicle operations through reciprocal standards, practices and enforcement throughout North America. Local enforcement agencies that aren't certified by CVSA should be required to issue and honor the safety inspection decal of the CVSA and prevent undue delay and hardship to drivers and vehicle owners.
The final morning address was presented by Chris Revere about h ow to be effective citizen advocates.
Attendees had the opportunity to meet with legislators. Senator Young addressed participants during lunch and expressed her support for the Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Fund and New York Farm Viability Institute initiatives.
All who attended felt privileged to have had the opportunity to work with legislators toward the goal of educating lawmakers and achieving sound environmental policies.
The New York State Turfgrass Association is comprised of 1,800 green industry professionals who have joined together to share technology, promote environmental stewardship, support education, advance research and disseminate research findings.
For more information, please call Denise Lewis, public relations coordinator at 518-783-1229.
