Workshops to add depth to turfgrass conference

By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Jan. 3, 2017

Fast Facts:

Turfgrass conference to offer diverse educational opportunities
Deadline for online registration Jan. 4

(284 words)

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — The Arkansas Turfgrass Association Conference and Trade Show is scheduled to take place Jan. 12-13 at the Hot Springs Convention Center. The deadline for pre-registration is Wednesday, Jan. 4.

Douglas Karcher, professor of Horticulture for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said this year’s convention will feature top-notch speakers and turfgrass experts from around the country.

Speakers include John Boyd, visiting assistant professor of crop, soil and environmental science for the Division of Agriculture, Alan Windham, professor of ornamental and turf plant pathology with the University of Tennessee, and William Crow, landscape nematologist with the University of Florida, Steve Kammerer, southeast regional director of the U.S. Golf Association, and Adam Thoms, assistant professor of horticulture with Iowa State University.

“Our biggest, overarching theme this year is just an approach to dealing with pests and other challenges in turfgrass with really strong education,” Karcher said. “We’re bringing in industry leaders, experts on turfgrass diseases, nematodes and weed identification and control.”

The conference will offer four primary sessions over the course of two days: a pesticide recertification session, a parks and sports turf session and golf and lawn care sessions.

Additionally, attendees may purchase tickets to attend a bonus workshop in one of three topics the afternoon of Jan. 12:

Turfgrass disease identification and control
Turfgrass weed identification and control strategies
Assembling a nematode management plan

“Regardless of what facet of the turfgrasss industry each attendees are involved in, there should be something for them,” Karcher said.

The cost to pre-register online is $80, and must be completed by Jan. 4. On-site registration is $100. To pre-register, visit https://arkansasturf.net/. Additional questions can be answered by calling (501) 860-0187, or emailing arkturfgrassassn@att.net.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu

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