Iron Sharpens Iron- SFMA 2026 National Convention Fort Worth
Iron Sharpens Iron.
That slogan couldn’t have fit this year’s SFMA National Convention for me any better. Getting together with some of the best experts in the field to discuss ideas, challenges, and ways to grow our industry is what it’s all about. The learning, the new faces, and reconnecting with friends from around the world never gets old. One of my favorite parts is finally meeting people you’ve only known through social media and turning that into real friendships through conversations, phone calls, texts, and funny stories from the night before. That sense of community is one of the best things about being part of such a hardworking, blue-collar industry. There wouldn’t be a game at any level without the grounds crew. The game starts with us and when I really think about that, it’s pretty incredible.
To start the week we got the KYSFMA members together last minute on Monday night for some Texas BBQ was pretty awesome. It was a great way to start off the conference. To think about the last 5 or so months and seeing 20 members come and meet before the learning was a highlight for me. We got some amazing people apart the of chapter who wants to see the turf industry succeed in this state. Also, Congrats to Kaleb Meredith for winning his scholarship! We are proud of you and Tod/Aaron speak highly of you and your work ethic.
KYSFMA Members eating at Cooper’s BBQ at the Stockyards
Tuesday kicked off with discussions around FIFA and all of the behind-the-scenes processes currently taking place. It’s going to be great to showcase these fields and venues across North America this summer. We’ve heard variations of these talks over the last few years, but it’s finally here and I’m excited to see those turf managers succeed.
My favorite class session was listening to Jeff McManus talk about leadership and how to grow your crew. It’s always great to gain insight into how other leaders develop their teams.
I was also proud to represent KYSFMA and attend my first-ever COTS. It felt like we were able to share ideas on engagement, growth, and experiences, and I hope attendees took as much away from it as I did. It was great meeting so many people I’d seen before but never formally introduced myself to.
Wednesday was something special, there’s some really exciting momentum brewing with a few local chapters surrounding Kentucky. The goal is to go straight to the workforce by engaging high school students and educating them about the turfgrass industry. That meeting was something I looked forward to all week. Huge shoutout to the people who truly want to see this industry grow and thrive.
Congratulations to Eric Harshman, VP of KYSFMA, on being appointed to the Board of Directors. Having KYSFMA represented at the national level is a huge step and a big win for Kentucky.
The trade show is always a highlight, some of the best people-watching around. At times it feels like Halloween with all the candy, minus the “trick or treat.” I somehow came home with so many hats they had to go in someone else’s bag (shoutout Marcus Dean). I truly appreciate the continued support KYSFMA receives from vendors and their commitment to seeing the state of Kentucky thrive, exciting times ahead.
And on Thursday, I’m not ashamed to admit I crushed six or seven bags of popcorn… that stuff was addicting. Joining Meg Kruger on Pioneer Groundskeeper Chats was a blast. We covered everything from turf to Encanto’s “The Family Madrigal,” which is probably watched three times a week in the Elswick household. I appreciated the small fan section watching while I rambled about what’s going on at UK and with KYSFMA.
As always, shoutout to Deanna Trusty, an absolute rockstar who deserves endless praise for pushing turfgrass forward in the state once again.
Being named a Rising Star in the turfgrass industry still doesn’t feel real. The amount of growth over the last 14 years is wild, and it’s crazy to think about where I started versus where I am now. Truly humbling and incredibly meaningful. Shoutout to the other four winners, absolute superstars at their facilities and in their careers
Some of us may have come back from Fort Worth with less clothes than we traveled with (IYKYK)… but it was worth it. An amazing week to recharge, sharpen the mind, and catch up with new and old friends. Hopefully everyone has a great year with fewer tarp pulls, less snow, and more beautiful partly cloudy days.
Iron sharpens iron.
— Marcus Elswick
University of Kentucky Athletics
Head Sports Turf Manager
KYSFMA Secretary/Treasurer
