GAINESVILLE, Fla. — As a child in Dodge City, Kansas, Bryan Unruh grew up in 4-H. During his first year in the organization, he attended a lawn mower safety school taught by the county agriculture agent. That summer he mowed three lawns every week. In fact, he calls himself “a product of the Cooperative Extension Service.”

In high school, Unruh envisioned himself as a corporate attorney. But when advisors from Kansas State University showed up in his hometown, he declared himself a horticulture major.

“I couldn’t fathom going to school for seven-plus years and then sitting behind a desk,” said Unruh, a professor of environmental horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Ironically, he spent 10-plus years earning his three college degrees.

Unruh has spent the last 23 years at UF/IFAS, helping people grow beautiful grass in environmentally friendly ways.

Unruh is now being recognized for his outreach and Extension efforts. He will be honored with the Turfgrass Educator Award of Excellence at the International Education Conference of Turfgrass Producers International on Feb. 19, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Previous recipients of this award include fellow UF/IFAS Professor Laurie Trenholm (2008), Ali Harivandi of the University of California Cooperative Extension Service (2014) and Grady Miller of North Carolina State University (2016).

The award recognizes Unruh’s commitment, dedication and positive influence in helping to educate consumers, turfgrass producers and industry professionals, said Karen Cooper, associate executive director of Turfgrass Producers International. It’s also a way to honor Unruh for making himself available to address turfgrass questions and concerns that promote the use and benefits of turfgrass.

“It’s quite humbling when you are asked if you can be nominated for such an award – it takes it to a whole new level when you are named the recipient,” said Unruh, a faculty member at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay, Florida.

Unruh, who specializes in turfgrass research and Extension, finds it rewarding to help people resolve a problem, improve their management practices or help them through difficult and trying times.

“Most in the industry know that I am ‘on call’ 24/7 and will answer my phone whenever it rings,” he said. “My service to the industry isn’t just because I’m employed – it’s because it is my passion to be a resource for those in need.”

“Rarely does my phone ring with people on the other end just calling to wish me a good day,” Unruh said. “Generally, they have a challenge that needs resolved and they know I will come to their aid. Being recognized for that passion is rewarding.”

The Turfgrass Prorducers of Florida nominated Unruh for the award and used letters from three other organizations to support the nomination: the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association, the Seven Rivers Golf Course Superintendents Association and the Florida Turfgrass Association. Betsy McGill, executive director of the Turfgrass Producers of Florida, sang Unruh’s praises in her letter supporting him for the award.

Unruh possesses many positive attributes, said Mcgill. Among them, “he has been the ‘go-to guy’ for questions and help from a scientific perspective as we’ve worked with regulators and policymaking on pressing challenges like water use, fertilizer best management practices and landscaping ordinances.”

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By: Brad Buck, 352-294-3303, bradbuck@ufl.edu

The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS works to bring science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. Visit the UF/IFAS web site at ifas.ufl.edu and follow us on social media at @UF_IFAS.

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