Extension communication in turfgrass has evolved from publishing houses to just-in-time learning. Cornell scientists and extension teams are taking full advantage of the digital world to reach more of their grower audiences.
It is second nature today to receive email updates, read an online article, or tune into a webinar. But before the internet became a staple of everyday life, how did best management practices make their way into the hands of New Yorkers?
Historically, Cornell’s turfgrass research teams published printed guides and manuals for both hobbyists and commercial producers, essential resources long before email newsletters and social media.
The legacy of turfgrass research at Cornell began in the 1940s under Dr. John Farnsworth Cornman, a co-founder of the New York State Turfgrass Association. In 1955, dedicated research plots were established to support field trials, and by 1976, the 10-acre Turfgrass Field Research Laboratory was developed to expand research capacity and communication, according to New York State Turfgrass Association historical records. Throughout this evolution, New York’s turf industry, a key player in the rise of American sports in the 20th century, made significant investments in data and communication for turf management professionals.
Today, the Cornell Turfgrass Program delivers timely content each spring through a full suite of modern media: monthly newsletters, weekly Cornell Turf Show webinars, and three targeted podcasts. These tools ensure every segment of their diverse audience is reached, from homeowners to sports turf professionals.
Extension communication in horticulture has undergone a dramatic transformation.
As Dr. Frank Rossi, associate professor in the Horticulture Section of Cornell’s School of Integrative Plant Science, explains, the model has shifted from calendar-based advice to just-in-time learning, a necessary adaptation in the face of climate variability and increasingly fast access to new information.
“Modern extension requires fast, data-driven decision making,” Rossi said.
Before digital became the norm, many remember the wide variety of formats used to share information. From printed books and producer manuals to VHS tapes and technical manuscripts, the university system evolved extension communication to better deliver messages.
Rossi recalls the earlier days of turf extension. Nearly three decades ago, while working at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he wrote a two-page newsletter that was faxed to every county extension office in the state. He also recorded it as an audio message on an answering machine service for people to call in and hear a morning update.
At Cornell, that continued starting in 1997 with a ShortCUTT conference call where the latest weather data, pest issues, and crop observations were discussed, then the meeting notes that were distributed across the state on fax, later through email. A popular column, Gazing in the Grass, featured clippings of news and insights produced by Rossi. They were modern day tweets, offering a glimpse of what would later become standard practice on social media platforms like Twitter (now X).
Recognizing the need for speed, the team embraced podcasts and webinars to connect with time-pressed professionals like golf course managers and groundskeepers. “Golf professionals need real-time solutions during the growing season,” Rossi said. “They don’t always have time to sit down and read an article, so fast delivery of research-based information helps keep their operations profitable and sustainable.”
Still, not everything has changed. One enduring element is the horticulture hotline, a phone line staffed by trained garden volunteers who answer public questions. To this day, about a third of all calls are turfgrass-related, Rossi said.
In earlier decades, extension teams functioned like full-service publishing houses, producing hard-copy publications with the help of editors, graphic designers, and printers.
Craig Cramer, communication specialist for the School of Integrative Plant Science and a colleague of the turfgrass team, said the shift toward more accessible communication was “fueled by consumer demand.”
One standout title was Lawn Care Without Pesticides, a guide that responded to growing public concern. “People wanted beautiful lawns, but they were increasingly worried that their yards might be doing more environmental harm than good, or worse, that lawn chemicals might affect their children and pets,” Cramer said. In the years since its publication, the original copy is still archived on Cornell’s eCommons repository, and an updated fully digital version with embedded videos is available on the Turfgrass team’s website.
As farmers, sod growers, and turf professionals begin their mornings early, Cornell’s extension staff is already on deck — recording podcasts, hosting live webinars, and pushing the latest insights across digital channels.
Jake Zajkowski '26 is a writer and communications assistant for the Cornell Turfgrass Program. He can be reached at jwz29 [at] cornell.edu.
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