UACES Facebook Arkansas Turfgrass Association offers latest in industry trends
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Jan. 22, 2021

Arkansas Turfgrass Association offers latest in industry trends

By Tracy Courage                                                                                                                         
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Fast Facts:

  • Arkansas Turfgrass Association conference scheduled for Jan. 25-28
  • Offers leading experts’ advice, pesticide certification credits
  •  

(439 words)

LITTLE ROCK — Turfgrass and landscape experts from across the country will share their expertise in lawn, golf course, park and sports turf management at the 2021 Arkansas Turfgrass Association annual conference Jan. 25-28.

The four-day conference, being offered virtually for the first time, will offer workshops, seminars, research updates, recertification and continuing education opportunities for industry personnel. Registration is available at arkansasturf.net.

“Anyone associated with the turf industry will benefit from attending,” Doug Karcher, horticulture professor with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and interim assistant director of the Agricultural Experiment Station, said. “The topics are a good combination of fundamental and technical information on a diverse range of timely topics. So, regardless of turf management experience level, attendees will leave the conference with useful information to apply in their jobs.”

The conference brings together 20 experts on turfgrass management and landscaping, including turf scientists from Michigan State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, University of Missouri, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University and industry scientists from Bayer and PBI Gordon.

“These folks, along with our University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture team, are the most impressive line-up of speakers that we’ve ever been able to assemble for a single conference,” Karcher said.

One of the advantages of the virtual conference is that attendees will be able to attend all 21 sessions. For a list of sessions, visit https://arkansasturf.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ATA-2021-schedule.pdf.

“The virtual format has allowed us to avoid concurrent sessions; therefore, all attendees will be able to attend every session,” Karcher said. “The sessions will be in real-time so that we can be interactive and have live question-and-answer sessions.”

Recorded sessions will be available through Feb. 12.

Karcher, one of several Division of Agriculture employees involved with the conference, will teach a session in “Using Tech in Sports Turf Management.”

Jason Davis, extension applicator technologist for the Division of Agriculture, will lead sessions in “Sprayer Calibration and Pesticide Safety,” which provides pesticide certification credits.

“This is geared toward our commercial applicators in the turf industry - lawn care professionals, golf course maintenance workers and anyone required to maintain a pesticide license,” Davis said.

Other sessions featuring speakers affiliated with the University of Arkansas System include:

  • Manage your Grounds like a Native — Dr. Mike Richardson, horticulture professor, Division of Agriculture
  • Management of Zoysia Putting Greens — Thomas Walton, Master of Science student, University of Arkansas
  • Winter Injury of Ultradwarf Bermudagrass Putting Greens — Eric DeBoer, Ph.D. student, University of Arkansas
  • Cultural Practices to Optimize Sports Field Playability — Daniel O'Brien, Ph.D. student, University of Arkansas
  • Prairie Restoration and Ecosystems — Rhiannon de la Rosa, Master of Science student, University of Arkansas

To learn more about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Media contact:
Tracy Courage
Director, Communications Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
tcourage@uada.edu 

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