In early 2025, Penn State Extension will offer several training sessions on turf and ornamentals. Webinars and in-person workshops will help participants learn about weed identification and control, insect and disease management, and other topics. The events will provide opportunities for licensed pesticide applicators and certified arborists to earn update training credits.
For those interested in attending an in-person workshop, Penn State Extension will offer the “Turf and Ornamentals School” to provide pest management information on ornamental plants and turfgrass pests. The workshop will take place from 8 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, at the Grantville Holiday Inn, 604 Station Road, Grantville.
The school is designed for arborists, landscapers, turf care professionals, grounds managers, and municipal, park and school employees. Participants can learn about identification and management of diseases, insects and weeds, pesticide applicator safety, and proper horticultural practices. Pesticide recertification credits are available in categories 05, 06, 07, 18, 23, core and private. Attendees can register for a $120 fee. Registrations are due by 11:59 p.m. Jan. 23.
Another in-person event, the “Turf and Ornamentals Conference,” offers opportunities for licensed pesticide applicators to receive update training credits and to network with peers. This training will occur in four locations:
- Altoona, 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, at Blair County Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Drive.
- Wexford, scheduled for Thursday, March 6, with time and location pending.
- Meadville, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, at Harper Event Center, 13635 Dickson Road.
- Lewisburg, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at Silver Moon Banquet Hall, 137 Silvermoon Lane.
The workshop will focus on topics such as identification and control of weeds and management of insects and diseases. Registration deadlines vary by location, and the registration fee is $75. Detailed information is available on the Penn State Extension website.
As an alternative option for those unable to attend an in-person event, a webinar series will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on six consecutive Tuesdays in January and February. These trainings are designed for turf professionals, landscape professionals, greenhouse growers, agriculture teachers, interiorscape professionals and pesticide license holders. The series will cover the following topics:
- “Core,” Jan. 14. Instructors will discuss pollinators, pesticides and pesticide labels. Participants can earn core pesticide credits.
- “Ornamentals,” Jan. 21. Attendees can learn the latest in pest and disease control. Pesticide credits in categories 05, 06, 18, 23 and private are available.
- “Pools,” Jan. 28. Instructors will discuss pool balance and managing chlorine issues. Participants also can learn about filtration, sanitation and preventive maintenance. Pesticide credits in categories 18 and 24 are available.
- “Turf,” Feb. 4. This webinar will cover reducing pesticides, managing herbicide failures, and controlling moles, voles and insects in turf. Pesticide credits are available in categories 07, 15, 18, 23 and private.
- “Right-of-Way,” Feb. 11. This webinar will cover identification and management of invasive plants in rights-of-way and utility right-of-way application methods. Participants can earn pesticide credits in categories 05, 10, 18, 23 and private.
- “Aquatics,” Feb. 25. This session will cover pond plants, water quality and aquatic herbicide recommendations. Attendees can earn pesticide credits in categories 09, 18, 23 and private.
Each webinar carries a registration fee of $20. In addition to the pesticide recertification credits from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, continuing education credits are available from the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association for the Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist Program and Sustainable Landscapes Certification Program, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, and the International Society of Arboriculture.
Participants must register by 11:45 p.m. the night before each webinar date to receive the link to access the live webinar. Registrants also will receive access to the webinar recording.
More information about the webinars and workshops is available on the Penn State Extension website.
