S3 E54 The Rise and Fall of University Turfgrass Programs
Description
In this video, I explore the history and current state of university turfgrass programs—from their rise during the post-war boom in golf, parks, and sports fields to their decline in recent decades. I explain how turfgrass faculty positions are created and filled, what factors lead to the loss of those positions, and why many programs are now disappearing altogether. I connect the dots between enrollment trends, industry funding, and the shifting priorities of universities that have left turfgrass science struggling to survive. Most importantly, I discuss what the turfgrass community—educators, managers, and industry leaders—can do to reverse the trend and rebuild the academic foundation that once supported innovation in turf management. This episode blends history, data, and reflection to uncover how we got here and what it will take to bring turfgrass education back.
United States
