Agricultural Careers Turf Grower By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Trisha Rae Stephens Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia Department of Education June 2005 START

Job Duties & Responsibilities Oversee field workers, mechanics, and truck drivers. Make sure that fields are irrigated on schedule. Make sure that all equipment is working properly and is safe for the workers. Establish and maintain good pest and weed control program. Oversee the harvesting and shipping of sod. Market sod.

Qualities and Skills Ability to lift and handle heavy objects Ability to communicate verbally Ability to work outdoors for long periods of time Ability to stand, kneel, stoop or squat repetitively

Salary Starting salaries vary widely depending on the area of the country. They typically range from $22,000 to $27,000 a year plus benefits. However, a beginner in turf production with a high school education may start out at little more than minimum wage. It is common for a student just graduating to work as an assistant to a professional turf grower for one or more years to gain experience before moving into a position of greater responsibility and opportunity. Professional turf growers/managers with a college degree in turfgrass science and 10 to 15 years experience in the turfgrass industry currently earn $37,000 or more a year.

Work Environment Most work is done outdoors Work five days a week normally but six to seven days a week during the busy season Some indoor office work is required

Becoming a Turf Grower Take classes, such as agronomy, horticulture, and biology. Get a job on a sod farm or with a landscape business specializing in turf. Take short-courses in turf grass science and management.

Career Resources Turfgrass Producers International 1855-A Hicks Road Rolling Meadows, IL Internet: American Society for Horticultural Science 113 South West Street Suite 200 Alexandria, VA Internet: