Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences Turfgrass

In 1987, MSU and the MTF recognized the importance of the lawn care industry in Michigan and the benefits of increasing its number of well-educated turf managers. To this end, Mr. Walter Wilkie, owner of the Toro Distributor in Pontiac and the Bare Foot Lawn franchises in Michigan, funded the startup of the Lawn Care Management Program in MSU's Institute of Agricultural Technology. A similar need by the sports turf industry was recognized in 1992 when its name was changed to the Lawn Care/Athletic Turf Program and then again in 1997 when it became the Sports and Commercial Turf Management Program. Recognized nationally as the only one of its kind, the program continues to graduate outstanding students, many of whom have gone on to become well known and successful leaders in their respective industries.