What is the Founders Society? The Founders Society is a group of people past and present, who wanted to see the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center equipped with the necessary equipment for research. The Founders Society was established seventeen years ago to continue long-term special support of the Hancock Turf Research Center. This goal and the financial support necessary for its implementation has been our membership’s continued focus.

Currently when a professor or student wants to explore a new idea or prove an old idea there is no guarantee that the University will have or provide the money to acquire equipment for this research.

Originally one hundred members of the Turf Foundation donated $1,000.00 each to the Founders Society with the understanding the principle would never be spent. The interest generated from this fund is available to purchase equipment used at the HTRC for turfgrass research.

Support has resulted in purchases such as Cabinets, Rolling Machine, Ohaus Balances, Fork Lift, Pallet Racks, supplies and materials for the Conference Room at the Hancock Research Facility, materials for the Sloping Green Project, including Tektronix Cable Tester, Data Loggers, Tipping Buckets, Modems, Software and Interface equipment.

As stipulated in the Founders Society Charter, only the interest money generated from our account can be used towards purchases of specialty equipment for the Hancock Turfgrass Research Facility. Because of the strong market over the last several years our return on our principal account has had a positive impact on the growth of our interest balance. The interest account is well funded for future use.

Our goal is to continue to build the Founders Society so we can help support the future needs of the Hancock Turf Research Center. As the Turfgrass program has grown so has the need for equipment to conduct research. At the same time the Turf Foundation was receiving request from members, and non-members, that liked the idea of being able to see their investment in turfgrass research every time new equipment arrives at the HTRC. Because of this the Founders Society has been expanded in numbers. All wishing to join the Founders Society are welcome.

Financial support comes from the various levels of giving from our current members, the addition of new members and upgrading of all memberships. Levels of support start at $100.00 (Bronze), $250.00 (Silver), $500.00 (Gold), $1,000.00 (Emerald), and $2,500.00+ (Diamond). Click here to lend your support.

For more information about the Founders Society call 517.321.1660.

Respectively Submitted
Founders Chairperson
John Kirtland