The SFMA Conference Education Committee has put together an exciting and informative education program for the 2024 Conference in Daytona Beach, Florida. Each month, speakers will be featured to highlight a sample of what will be offered to attendees at the conference. This month’s featured speakers are Travis Shaddox, PhD., and Crystal Rose-Fricker.
Shaddox is a retired assistant professor from the Universities of Kentucky and Florida. His research focuses on best management practices for turfgrass nutrition and was instrumental in the development and publishing of turfgrass BMP manuals for Florida and Kentucky.
Shaddox will be presenting Soil Testing Interpretation and Application. In his presentation, Shaddox will discuss the various soil testing methods, explain why one test does not fit-all and explain which test is most appropriate for your course.
Rose-Fricker is the president of Pure seed, Pure-Seed Testing Inc. and Pure Valley Solutions. She has developed 322 turf and forage grass cultivators, 138 of which are on the European Union list. She has made her mark in research and breeding for over 35 years where she earned the NCCPB Genetics and Plant Breeding award for Industry and she has been recognized with the “6th most influential women in Golf” by Sports Illustrated magazine. Her leadership in the grass seed industry was honored by the Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences Distinguished Alumni Leader Award. She is the NW Executive V.P. for ASTA and is actively involved in the European Seed Association, International Seed Federation, Oregon Seed Association and the TBA, a National Breeders Association for grasses.
Rose-Fricker will be presenting Sustainability in Turfgrass Management. This presentation will discuss the pathway of seed to the sports field and how everyone is doing their part to be sustainable: breeders, farmers, distributors and sports field managers.