The MSU Turf School is a course designed to teach the basics of turfgrass science as well as the practical techniques of managing turfgrass. The school will be “team taught” by MSU turfgrass faculty and staff. The curriculum is designed to deliver a wide range of turfgrass management topics including basic soils and soil management, turfgrass species identification, selection and physiology, turf establishment and renovation, fertilization, proper pesticide use, and environmental stewardship. A significant portion of the school is dedicated to weed, insect, and disease identification and management. The strength of the school lies within the depth of the turfgrass faculty at MSU. This will provide an excellent opportunity for one-on-one interaction between participants and the MSU turfgrass faculty. This is your chance to get to know the MSU Turf Team – all team members instruct, that includes Vargas, Rogers, Crum, Frank, Nikolai, Smitley, Merewitz and Dykema – if you know the name but not the face, this is your chance to meet the team and get all your questions answered!
Who should attend?
Anyone looking to add to their turf knowledge – the school starts with the turf basics and expands from there throughout the month. Past attendees include golf course employees without formal training, lawn care company employees, turfgrass equipment technicians, industry sales representatives, and school employees responsible for grounds and athletic fields.
What is covered?
Topics include: turfgrass species and cultivars, establishment and renovation, nutrition and fertilizers, weed, insect, and disease management, turfgrass soils, cultivation and compaction.
Where and when?
NEW for 2020 the school will be virtual with programs being taught through Zoom. Participants will be able to select specific sessions or add all at a discounted rate. All programs will run 9 a.m.-12 p.m. EST.
Program dates:
December 17: Turfgrass Insects – Dr. David Smitley
Credits! Need some MDARD credits or GCSAA education points? Turf school is the place to clean up. Turf School has applied for a max of 20 MDARD pesticide recertification credits available in categories Commercial Core, Private Core, 3A, 3B, and 6. Turf School expects that each program will be awarded three credit hours with the exception of the Dec. 9 program which will be two credit hours. Participants must attend the program live for the entire time period to be awarded credit hours. Partial credit will not be awarded.
How much?
Sessions are $35 each or attend all for a discounted rate of $200.