Harrell to receive FTGA's Wreath of Grass

Harrell’s CEO Jack Harrell Jr. will be honored with the Florida Turfgrass Association’s highest award, the Wreath of Grass, during the association’s 67th Annual Conference & Show at the Omni ChampionsGate Resort next week.

The coveted Wreath of Grass award pays tribute to individuals who have shown outstanding service to the Florida Turfgrass Association and to the turfgrass industry. Harrell will receive the honor Tuesday.

Harrell has continually shown commitment toward the Florida Turfgrass Association and the turfgrass industry as Harrell’s CEO through ongoing financial support, providing continuing education to industry members and representing the entire industry on its behalf via government relations work.

“Jack has always been front and center providing support for any issue that a customer, an employee, an association or a community may be facing,” FTGA president Andrew Jorgensen said.

Harrell joins an esteemed list of recipients that dates to the inaugural award in 1960 — including his father, Jack Harrell Sr., who received the award 20 years ago in 1999.

“It’s an honor to receive this award due to many factors,” Harrell said. “First, the prestigious list of those that have won this award before me. Second, from a sentimental standpoint, receiving the same award as my father. Third, the Wreath of Grass is the first award I remember someone being presented when I entered this industry 41 years ago.”

Founded in 1952, the Florida Turfgrass Association provides strong leadership as an umbrella organization to make funding available for research, promote research and education, create legislative power, sponsor an annual conference and trade show, and provide services, communications and networking opportunities for professionals in and associated with the turfgrass industry. Florida ranks first in the nation for turfgrass-related economic activity with total revenues estimated at $7.82 billion and a total employment of more than 173,000 jobs.