If you’re a teacher or administrator in a career and technical education (CTE) program, chances are you’re looking for opportunities for your students to earn valued industry certifications that help them stand out from their peers.
Earning an industry certification can make a difference in many career pathways, but particularly in agricultural science, where these credentials can help certification earners stand out to potential employers.
One certification you may have heard of is the Sports Field Management Association (SFMA) Turfgrass Science Certification. But what exactly is this industry certification? And why and how should educators prepare their students to earn it?
What Is the SFMA Turfgrass Science Certification?
The SFMA Turfgrass Science Certification is an entry-level industry certification created by the Sports Field Management Association (SFMA), and hosted on the iCEV Testing Platform.
As a beginner-level industry certification, the SFMA Turfgrass Science Certification is designed to test learners on the basic knowledge and skills necessary for an entry-level position in the turfgrass industry. Individuals who earn this certification show that they have a solid understanding of basic industry principles and practices. They should stand out from other job candidates by proving that they have the skills necessary for a successful career in sports field management.
The SFMA Turfgrass Science Certification is perfect for newcomers and students of turfgrass science.
How Is the certification structured?
As an industry-based certification, the SFMA Turfgrass Science Certification is structured so that it can be pursued on its own or along with a program of study in agricultural science.
When aligned with one or more courses in an agricultural science program, learners can develop the knowledge and skills necessary for certification as part of their regular CTE curriculum. Certification candidates can also prepare for certification on their own.
The certification test itself consists of 100 questions that comprehensively assess an individual’s readiness for work in turfgrass science.
The exam is divided into five different sections that reflect significant aspects of industry work. They are weighted to reflect their relative importance to a successful turfgrass career:
- Benefits of Turfgrass (5%)
- Turfgrass Anatomy, Identification and Adaptations (20%)
- Turfgrass Environment (25%)
- Turfgrass Cultural Practices (30%)
- Playing Surface Preparation (20%)
Benefits of Turfgrass
The Benefits of Turfgrass is the first and shortest of the five domains with five percent of content. Certification candidates are asked questions related to the three types of benefits that arise from the turfgrass industry:
- Environmental Benefits
- Community Benefits
- Economic Benefits
Understanding the benefits of turfgrass will help individuals realize the greater purpose these careers play in the agricultural sector.
Turfgrass Anatomy, Identification and Adaptations
The Turfgrass Anatomy, Identification, and Adaptation section accounts for 20 percent of certification content. The questions test subject-specific knowledge relevant to the turfgrass industry, including:
- Turfgrass Anatomy
- Turfgrass Identification
- Climatic Adaptations
- Criteria for Selecting Turfgrass Species
This certification section reveals learners’ abilities to discern the differences between types of turfgrass, an essential skill for working as industry professionals.
Turfgrass Environment
The Turfgrass Environment section includes 25 percent of the certification. The questions concern factors affecting the growth and maintenance of distinct types of turfgrass.
Candidates should expect questions about:
- Plant Growth Requirements
- Soil Types
- Soil Properties
- Choosing a Proper Growing Medium
- Drainage
- Compaction
The Turfgrass Environment section tests if learners have a foundational understanding of the basics of preparing and maintaining turfgrass surfaces. Successful candidates will have proven that they know these principles so they can work in the industry right after earning their certification.
Turfgrass Cultural Practices
The largest section of the certification is the Turfgrass Cultural Practices portion, which accounts for 30 percent of the entire certification. It covers many of the day-to-day aspects of cultivating turfgrass, along with the specialized techniques and technologies involved in this work.
Cultural Practices questions ask candidates about:
- Mowing
- Nutrient Management
- Irrigation
- Aeration
- Topdressing
- Seeding/Sodding/Sprigging
- Integrated Pest Management
- Weeds, Insects and Diseases
- Equipment/Tools
- Establishment
The Cultural Practices questions explore a candidate’s understanding of a wide range of turfgrass topics, ensuring they’re prepared to work with various equipment and understand industry-standard techniques.
Playing Surface Preparation
Finally, the SFMA Turfgrass Science Certification addresses one of the essential aspects of working in the industry: preparing sports fields for play. This section represents 20 percent of the certification and addresses the steps involved in prepping and supporting sports fields:
- Field Dimensions
- Surface Playability
- Sports Specific Preparation
- Field Marking & Logo Painting
- Quality, Evaluation and Safety of Surfaces and Facilities
- Seasonal/Annual Maintenance
Many earners of this certification will seek employment maintaining sports facilities. These questions ensure individuals know how to do so safely and professionally for the benefit of everyone.
How can I prepare students for certification success?
Now that you know more about the five industry standards of the SFMA Turfgrass Science Certification, there is another important question to consider: how can you prepare students to succeed on exam day?
While CTE teachers take a variety of approaches when preparing their students for certifications, it’s important to ensure that your agricultural science curriculum is aligned with the content of the certification. In this case, you should evaluate your existing course materials to ensure that you’re covering the content of each of the five certification domains in your daily instruction. This way, your students will learn the essential knowledge they need for success as you go along — and you’ll be able to correct and reteach material they might not have mastered long before they sit down to take the certification exam.
When you have a turfgrass curriculum designed to prepare students for the SFMA Turfgrass Science certification, you’ll be rewarded with higher pass rates and better opportunities for graduates of your CTE program.
However, you’re still probably wondering how you can cover these standards completely so that students have the best chance of success. The good news is that iCEV offers certification prep materials explicitly aligned with the SFMA Turfgrass Science Certification. These resources include various ways to reach students with critical exam content so they’re confidently prepared to earn their certifications.
ICEV’s industry certification preparation materials include:
- Certification pre-tests
- Interactive coursework
- Presentations
- Practice exams
You can learn more about these resources on the iCEV Testing Platform certification prep materials page (https://www.icevonline.com/certifications/prep-materials).
Is the SFMA Turfgrass Science Certification right for my students?
After reading this, you should understand everything you need to know about the SFMA Turfgrass Science Certification. You also know more about steps you can take to prepare your students for certification success, including using test prep materials from iCEV. However, you still might be wondering if this is the right assessment for your agricultural science students.
The SFMA Turfgrass Science Certification is an ideal entry-level test for learners who wish to pursue careers in turfgrass and sports field management. But the best way to know for sure is to explore the certification page (https://www.icevonline.com/turfgrass). When you visit the certification page, you’ll find additional resources demonstrating the value of earning the certification.
