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This page is intended to keep turf managers abreast of current green industry events and educational opportunities in the Northeast region. Check back to this page often, as information pertaining to upcoming events will be posted as soon as it becomes available. If you have information about an upcoming event that you would like to see listed on this page, please contact the webmaster. Don't forget to also visit the UMass Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry Program Conferences and Workshops page .

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Turf IPM Twilight Walkabout
Date: June 4, 2008
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Stanley Park - Westfield, MA

Join the turf specialists of UMass Extension for an evening walk through the landscape. This program will involve a first-hand look at some of the most common insect, disease, and weed problems that affect turf, as well as discussion about managing these issues. Learn how to recognize and correct cultural problems, how to match turf species and cultivars to site conditions and intended use, and how to how to put IPM practices to work efficiently. Dress for walking; workshops are held rain or shine. Bring a clipboard, pencil, and hand lens (lenses will be available to borrow).

Two pesticide recertification contact hours will be available for all New England States in category 37, Turf, and category 00, Licensed Applicator. Preregistration required due to limited enrollment; the cost is $50.

To register by mail with check or PO#:   To register online with credit card: Download registration form (PDF 45K) Click for online credit card registration

For more information, contact the UMass Extension Turf Program at (508) 892-0382, mowen@umext.umass.edu

UMass Turf Research Field Day
Date: June 18, 2008
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: UMass Joseph Troll Turf Research Center - South Deerfield, MA

Field Day will focus on the wide range of research projects currently taking place at the Joseph Troll Turf Research Center as well as on research being conducted at other locations by University of Massachusetts Turf Program faculty, staff, and graduate students. Research Field Day participants will have the opportunity to meet and speak with UMass staff and to view projects underway. Turf research includes studies on the biology and integrated management of turf damaging insects, short- and-long-term weed management, pesticide exposure, fertility, drought management, and wear tolerance as well as a range of National Turfgrass Evaluation Program variety trials. Field Day will also feature displays and demonstrations from turf industry vendors.

Two pesticide recertification contact hours will be available for all New England States in category 37, Turf, and category 00, Licensed Applicator.

Attendees and vendors/exhibitors, register for Field Day 2008 by either option below:

To register by mail with check or PO#:   To register online with credit card: Download registration form (PDF 86K) Click for online credit card registration

For more information contact Jason Lanier at (413) 545-2965, Mary Owen at (508) 892-0382 or e-mail fieldday@umassturf.org.

Turfgrass Identification and Selection Workshop
Date: July 22, 2008
Location: UMass Amherst - Amherst, MA

The ultimate performance of a stand of turf depends on matching turfgrass species and varieties with site characteristics, intended use and maintenance level. Knowing what you have is the key to knowing how to manage it. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn to identify and recognize the principal cool season turfgrasses and how to select cultivars for specific characteristics such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, wear tolerance, and vigor.

Additional details will be forthcoming. Watch this page for registration details.

Pesticide recertification contact hours will be available for all New England states in category 37, Turf and category 00, Licensed Applicator. For more information, contact the UMass Extension Turf Program at (508) 892-0382, mowen@umext.umass.edu

The MFGA/MNLA Great Ideas Summer Conference!
Date: July 23, 2008
Location: The Crane Estate - Ipswich, MA

Join Massachusetts' largest green industry associations - MFGA and MNLA - for their fifth annual collaborative event, the 2008 Summer Meeting and Trade Show on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at one of the region’s most scenic, historically important and ecologically diverse landscapes… The Crane Estate.

The program will feature Judy Sharpton, Growing Places Marketing, Atlanta, Georgia. Judy has over 20 years experience in advertising and promotion specializing in store design and renovation, development of product-based promotion plants and development of customer communication programs. Judy will present a two-part Store School. She will cover consumer trends and how you can respond to trends at your store level and store layout from entrance to cash wrap.

Examples of more educational programs include Choosing Drought Tolerant Plants, Growing and Marketing Perennials Panel, Water Quality; Irrigation, Nutrient Management and Pesticide Efficacy, All about Ticks, New Products and Technologies for Hardscapes, Landscape Integrated Pest Management Walk-About, Current Regulations You Should Know About, Drought Advisories and a Pesticide Regulations Update. The program will include a trade show, and tours of the famous Crane Estate will be offered. Pesticide credits will be available.

Whether it is innovative exhibits, first-rate tours, or cutting edge education, all attendees are sure to find themselves involved and inspired. For more information, contact the Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association at (413) 369-4731 or visit http://www.mnla.com

Summer 2008 Weed Identification Workshops
Date/Location 1 (Broadleaf Weeds): July 30, 2008 - Arnold Arboretum - Jamaica Pain, MA
Date/Location 2 (Broadleaf Weeds): August 6, 2008 - UMass - Amherst, MA
Date/Location 3 (Grassy Weeds): August 27, 2008 - UMass - Amherst, MA
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Correct weed identification is an important first step in the development of an effective weed management program. Using a classroom presentation, potted weed herbarium and weed walk, UMass Extension Specialist Randy Prostak will help participants enhance their weed identification skills. Feel free to bring a weed or two to identify. Workshop held rain or shine (lunch not provided).

Pre-registration required, space is limited. 5 pesticide contact hours for categories 29, 36, 37 & 00 available; MCLP and MCH credits will be offered.

Download Form to Register for Weed Workshops by Mail (PDF 72K)

For more information, contact the UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery, & Urban Forestry Program at (413) 545-0895, eweeks@umext.umass.edu.

UMass Turf Open House
Date: July 31, 2008
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: UMass Joseph Troll Turf Research Center - South Deerfield, MA

In mid-summer 2008, the UMass Joseph Troll Turf Research Center will welcome interested turf managers for an unprecedented evening open house. Participants will have the opportunity to tour the facility and receive an update on current operations. Educational presentations by UMass faculty will focus on issues prominent at that time, which will likely include the management of summer disease, weed, and stress problems. Attendees will also be offered a guided first-hand look at research projects and other items of interest in the field.

Two pesticide recertification contact hours will be available for all New England
states in category 37, Turf and category 00, Licensed Applicator. For more information, contact the UMass Extension Turf Program at (508) 892-0382, mowen@umext.umass.edu

Dollar Spot Resistance Field Trials and Oriental Beetle Discussion
Date: Mid-August 2008 (date TBA) 
Location: Wianno Club, Osterville , MA

This program will provide an opportunity to see first-hand the results of the UMass Turf Program dollar spot resistance trials underway at the Wianno Club Golf Course in Osterville, MA. This research is supported by the Golf Course Managers Association of Cape Cod. In addition, there will be discussion on the management of oriental beetles led by Dr. Pat Vittum.

For further information on the dollar spot resistance research trials, contact Dr. Geunhwa Jung at (413) 545-2243, jung@psis.umass.edu. To register, contact the UMass Extension Program at 508-892-0382. Pesticide recertification contact hours will be available for all New England states in category 37, Turf and category 00, Licensed Applicator. UMass TurfTalk subscribers will receive notification of dates and times by email.

The Fifth Annual Joseph Troll Education Fundraiser
Date: September 29, 2008
Location: Lyman Orchards Golf Club - Middlefield, CT

The 2008 honoree for this event will be George Thompson, CGCS, recipient of the 2002 USGA Green Section Award. More details will be forthcoming on the Alumni Turf Group web site at http://www.alumniturfgroup.com

2008 Turf Season in Review: Research From Field and Greenhouse, Results From On-Golf-Course Trials
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2008
Time: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: UMass, Amherst, MA

Join the UMass faculty as they relate the details of projects covering a wide range of turf management topics including results from research conducted at the research facility, in the greenhouse and controlled environments as well as out on golf courses in the northeast. A discussion of the 2008 season will be included.

Pesticide recertification contact hours will be available for all New England states in category 37, Turf and category 00, Licensed Applicator. For more information, contact the UMass Extension Turf Program at (508) 892-0382, mowen@umext.umass.edu.

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