Turfgrass Employees are Essential

31 Mar 2020 7:44 PM | Ben Ellis (Administrator)

Hi Folks,

Hope everyone is surviving the virus and staying healthy.

I received this “Update” from MDA after Governor Hogan’s latest executive order yesterday.

Since Sod Farming is classified as “agriculture” and other turf work including Landscaping, Lawn Maintenance, Golf Course Maintenance and Sports Turf Maintenance are still classified as “essential”.

I would encourage each and every company to heed the recommendations below and prepare and provide to EACH EMPLOYEE including yourself a letter identifying the employee as essential and listing the other information suggested below in the event any authority questions why they are driving or working..

  • Name and address of the employee
  • Name and address of the business
  • Nature of the employee’s essential work
  • Signature and contact information for the employer

Remember, Turfgrass is essential because of:

  • Controlling rodents snakes and other pests found in high grass on the property.
  • The safety of elderly folks from tripping and falling due to high turfgrass.
  • And as always “protecting the Chesapeake Bay and other waterways in the State due to preventing thinning turf which allows for increased erosion and pollution of soil nitrogen and phosphorous.
  • And other reasons you can think off that are specific to your company.

If we can be of any further assistance please feel free to contact me.

Vernon

Vernon W. Cooper

Turfgrass Agronomist

Executive Director, MTC

Maryland Turfgrass Council

303 S. Talbot St.  #389

St. Michaels, MD 21663

410-745-9643 office/home

410-745-8867 fax

443-742-6618 cell

ExecDir@MDTurfCouncil.com

www.MDTurfCouncil.org

Maryland Department of Agriculture

For official updates on the state’s response to COVID-19, please visit governor.maryland.gov/coronavirus/.

A full list of current executive orders and interpretive guidance is available at: governor.maryland.gov/covid-19-pandemic-orders-and-guidance/.


The Maryland Turfgrass Council      P.O. Box 389, St. Michaels, MD 21663   Phone: (443) 742-6618       

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