The New York State Turfgrass Association's Winning Fields Seminar will take place on October 1, 2009 at historic Doubleday Field in Cooperstown.

NYSTA sports turf seminar set for October 1 in Cooperstown

The New York State Turfgrass Association’s Winning Fields Seminar will take place on October 1, 2009 at historic Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York, where Hall of Famers like Babe Ruth have played. The purpose of the seminar and trade show, sponsored by NYSTA, Cornell University, Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Fund, is to increase awareness of the important skills necessary to maintain safe, high quality sports turf.  Attendee and exhibitor on-line registration is available and the brochure can be accessed on the NYSTA web siteExhibit space is available.  Attendees will have the opportunity to visit the trade show throughout the event and during morning registration, breaks and lunch.


Highlights of the program include a presentation by Kevin Trotta who is a sports turf manager, New York Team Captain of the Global Sports Alliance and the principal proponent of Environmental Turf Craft, a system that incorporates the most effective and sustainable aspects of Integrated Pest Management, organic systems, conventional management and best management practices.  Kevin is the recipient of the NYS Excellence in IPM Award, Rockland County Distinguished Service Award and STMA Presidential Award for Leadership.  He will discuss his agronomic research on alternative maintenance procedures that reduce the need for pesticides. 


Frank Rossi, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Turfgrass Science and New York Extension Turfgrass Specialist, will discuss the environmental issues facing the sports turf industry and how to manage soil fertility to reduce pest problems.  He’ll also team up with Doubleday’s Head Groundskeeper, Joseph Harris, to review field safety, the importance of watering and general baseball and softball infield maintenance.


The final session will be presented by Joseph Potrikus, Certified Sports Field Manager with Greener World Landscape Maintenance, LLC.  Joe will teach participants how to prepare their fields for winter to achieve quick spring playability.


 Registration and the trade show begin at 7:30 a.m. and the seminar concludes at 3:15 p.m.  The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is offering 2.75 pesticide recertification credits and the Sports Turf Managers Association is offering .45 certified education units (CEU’s) for this program.  A discounted registration rate is available to NYSTA members.  Attendees who join NYSTA with their Winning Fields registration will remain an active member through December 2010.


For more information or to obtain a seminar brochure, please call NYSTA at (518) 783-1229, fax (518) 783-1258 or e-mail nysta@nysta.org.  Information is also available on NYSTA’s website www.nysta.org.