What We’ve Accomplished

Contributions that the Wisconsin Turfgrass Association (WTA) has provided include:

  • Funding to build the O.J. Noer Turfgrass Research and Education Facility in Verona.
  • In 2002, worked with The Bruce Company to provide leveling for a 10-acre land addition to the O.J. Noer Turfgrass Research and Education Facility.
  • Provided startup funds to hire four turfgrass Professors at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and faculty at the O.J. Noer Turfgrass Research and Education Facility.
  • Worked in combination with the University of Wisconsin – Madison, the University Foundation and the Wisconsin Golf Course Superintendents Association to construct a dry storage building in 2017.
  • Established four Distinguished Graduate Fellowships that will support Wisconsin based turfgrass research indefinitely. As of December 2020, these Fellowships has paid out over $767,000.
  • Annually provides funding for the University of Wisconsin – Madison Turfgrass Diagnostic Lab.  This lab is one of only a few dedicated turfgrass diagnostic labs in the country.  Turfgrass samples have been submitted from virtually every state in the continental United States.
  • Provide partial annual funding for an administrative assistant position at the O.J. Noer Turfgrass Research and Education Facility.
  • Examples of research that the WTA has supported at the O.J. Noer Turfgrass Research and Education Facility over the last 25+ years has been; studies to improve fungicide recommendations, nutrient runoff data, better ways to grow turf in the shade, best variety/species for problematic growing situations, robotic mowers, environmental impact of maintaining turfgrass and investigating new weed management strategies.  There is so much more research that the WTA funds each year to improve both turf professionals and layperson’s turf management skills to be a good steward of the turf we all enjoy.

NoerFave