About Us

Brad Snavely was raised on a family operated 360 acre ranch in the central San Joaquin Valley in California, and enjoyed gaining experience growing crops such as cotton, alfalfa, barley, oats, black-eye peas, almond trees, Thompson grapes and corn. While attending Reedley College and Fresno State, custom hay and almond harvesting, in addition to hosting the annual Fresno State Almond Pruning demonstration, played a major role in providing critical experience and understanding of specific crop nutrient requirements, as well as grasping a good understanding of soil and water chemistry.

Based on his love of golf and sports, Brad entered the sports turf market in the 90’s as an independent contractor, promoting and selling products manufactured by Floratine Products Group, offering turn-key soil and water testing services, thus providing site specific application protocols. In his first year with FPG, Brad earned honors as “top new sales rep” in the world. Brad represented FPG for six years and was consistently honored his last three as the top representative in the world, selling more products per golf course than any other FPG rep in the world. His attention to detail, unsurpassed customer service, and the ability to identify and incorporate site specifics, earned him a reputation as someone who could overcome issues, identify and quickly solve problems in the field.

He left Floratine Products Group to take his next position as Western United States Manufacturers Representative with Grigg Brothers. He defined soil and water testing parameters for the company, and prior to his departure, was promoted to “Interpretation Specialist”. Brad assisted with Grigg Brothers corporate and distributor sales force trouble shooting for facilities around the world. He also contributed to Grigg Brothers catalogue by writing turf and season specific formulations, expanding on what Grigg Bothers co-founder and former GCSAA President Gary Grigg had previously developed. It was during this time that Brad expanded his technical reputation with his peers in the sports turf field by creating presentations such as “Tackling Soil and Water Problems”, “Soil and Water Interpretation Guidelines” and “Building a Sound Nutrient Program”, with the latter being published by Gary Grigg after his departure from the company. Brad is an expert when it comes to establishing working targets for soil, water and tissue testing.

An abbreviated list of clients he has worked with include well know facilities such as (in California) - The Pebble Beach Company, Los Angeles Country Club, Wilshire Country Club, The Crossings at Carlsbad, Montecito Country Club, The Rose Bowl, Dodger Stadium, San Francisco 49ers Training Facility, Pasatiempo Golf Club, California Golf Club, The Golf Club at Boulder Ridge and Petco Park. (Florida) Brad has assisted and consulted for Faldo Golf Institute and Grand Pines Golf Club. (New York) He has worked with Corning Country Club and Rochester Country Club. (Massachusetts) Walpole and Tedesco Country Club. (Arizona) Brad has provided services to Desert Forest, Desert Mountain as well as Tucson Country Club, Sun City Vistoso and others. (Hawaii) Courses Brad has visited and worked with include Turtle Bay Golf Club, Mauna Lani, Navy – Marine Course, Royal Kunia and Lailehua Country Club. Brad provided extensive grow-in and establishment protocols such as the one used at Rock Creek Cattle Company in Montana that earned top national awards. Brad has even worked internationally having completed soil and water interpretations for various courses and governments around the world.

Mike Palmer brings balance and a certain business savvy to the Sustainable Turf Science team boasting a degree in Mechanical & Environmental Engineering from UC Santa Barbara and a Masters of Business Administration from Pepperdine University. Mike is the inventor of the “Garden IV™”, a home fertilizer injection system, and was drawn to work with Brad as a result of his search for the ideal fertilizing materials to be used in his device to boast water conservation and environmental awareness. This search started with “Miracle Grow ™” type products and he continued to search for unique products trying everything from liquid compost to bio-stimulants. In 2009, Brad introduced Mike to the line of professional products that are available to sports turf managers. Brad and Mike have been working to formulate “specific” routines from multiple suppliers to target site and turf / plant specific formulations. With a keen sense for business, Mike has excelled at building relationships and worked with municipalities to prove out their unique approach to turf, plant and soil management. Mike established a rapport with Brian Scott at Mt. San Antonio College (largest
Community college in the U.S!) where 2010 trials conclusively illustrated improved drought tolerance while reducing fertilizer inputs and maintaining optimum plant health to further boast the company’s position on environmentally friendly practices.

Sustainable Turf Science continues to research and identify quality oriented manufacturers to provide specialty products and services for Golf Courses, Sports Fields and Municipalities. STS is focused on working with companies offering proprietary technology. This approach, along with the ability to “mix and match”, will ultimately be implemented in application protocols as well as in the Garden IV for the global home and garden market. Based on sound science, the Sustainable Turf Science approach is truly leading the way with cutting edge technology to be a frontrunner as the “go to” provider in the sports turf and home & garden market.