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A series of improvements to the UMass Joseph Troll Research Center began several years ago when the size of the research area was expanded from eight to eighteen acres, and has continued with the construction of a much-needed research, maintenance, and teaching building. The most obvious change however, was in the name of the facility. Formerly the UMass Turf Research Facility, the station was re-dedicated as the Joseph Troll Research Center. At a special UMass Alumni Breakfast, this honor was bestowed upon Dr. Joseph Troll, the longtime leader of the Turf Program at UMass. The facility received a new and improved sign during an unveiling ceremony at UMass Turf Research Field Day on June 23, 2004 when the new name became official.

The new facility while under construction at the Joseph Troll Turf Research Center.

With pledges in hand, and the fundraising target met, the University signed a construction contract with Garland Construction Company of Chicopee, MA for construction of a new building. A few short weeks later the bulldozers arrived on site, and on January 6, 2005. Joe Troll and many of the UMass Turf Team members gathered to witness Dr. Troll pitch the first shovel into the ground.

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new building at the UMass Joseph Troll Research Center was held on November 1, 2005. The celebration began with a barbeque in front of Stockbridge Hall on the Amherst campus, and the ribbon cutting took place later at the Center in South Deerfield. The ceremony was presided over by John V. Lombardi, former Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Cleve Willis, former Dean of the College of Natural Resources and the Environment. The new building was fully-operational and accessible at UMass Turf Research Field Day on June 21, 2006.

UMass NTEP Trials

		The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) sponsors and coordinates variety evaluations for both cool-season and warm-season turfgrass species. Investigators from major universities and commercial seed companies collect data on a monthly basis. All NTEP (sites) investigators are required to collect “standard data” including monthly turfgrass quality, genetic color, leaf texture, winter and fall color retention, spring green-up, disease tolerance, seedling vigor, drought tolerance as well as other data. Additionally, some NTEP sites including the University of Massachusetts are contracted to perform ancillary tests in addition to standard data collection (see table below). The results are collected and summarized in NTEP reports, which in turn, are made available to the public by visiting the NTEP website at http://www.ntep.org .
NTEP Trials at the Joseph Troll Turf Research Center, South Deerfield, MA National Test Test Period Standard Data Being Collected? Ancillary Tests Being Conducted Kentucky bluegrass 2000- Yes Wear, Differential HOC, Herbicide Tolerance Sports Grass 2009-2011 No (trait specific... simulated wear) Wear Tolerance and Recovery Fine leaf fescue 2003-2008 Yes - Bentgrass - Fairway 2008-2013 Yes Wear Bentgrass - Greens 2008-2013 Yes Wear Perennial ryegrass 2004-2009 Yes Wear, Herbicide Tolerance Kentucky bluegrass* 2005-2010 Yes Wear All trials seeded in the Fall of the initial year of the indicated test period.

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