Green School Turf Management Track

October 11 and October 20 - You will need to attend ONE of these orientation sessions.

Plant Form and Function
Mary Owen, UMass Extension (Retired)
Learning how plants are put together, how they grow, and how they respond to their environment can help practitioners understand the cultural requirements of landscape plants, be helpful in avoiding problems relating to plant health, and aid in the diagnosis of plant health issues.

Plant Form and Function (continued)
Mary Owen, UMass Extension (Retired)
Learning how plants are put together, how they grow, and how they respond to their environment can help practitioners understand the cultural requirements of landscape plants, be helpful in avoiding problems relating to plant health, and aid in the diagnosis of plant health issues.

Basic Principles of IPM and PHC
Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension
The principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) form the foundation for understanding and implementing wise management strategies for pests. IPM management techniques assist in reducing pest populations while protecting beneficial organisms and utilize best management practices that are least harmful to humans and the environment. This often includes reducing dependence on chemical pesticides. Plant Health Care (PHC) employs many of the aspects of IPM and is tailored for the Green Industry.

Turfgrasses: Adaptation, Morphology, Management, and Performance
Jason Lanier UMass Extension
This introductory class will outline the space that turfgrasses occupy both ecologically and societally, as well as explore the unique form and function of turfgrass plants.  In-depth discussion on how environment, user expectations, management, and performance intersect will be featured.

Basic Entomology
Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension
An overview of the characteristics that define insects from their close relatives, identification of the major orders of insects common to the Northeast, and life strategies common to these groups. Also a brief look at identifying larval (immature) insects and their development as driven by temperature. Basic entomology will set the stage for the common insect pests encountered by the Green Industry, while reminding us that the majority of insects are not pests.

Basic Plant Pathology
Angela Madeiras, UMass Extension
A discussion of the microbiology of plant disease-causing bacteria and fungi along with references to a few of the many beneficial microbes. Also, a description of the conditions necessary for disease infection and an overview of infectious disease management strategies.

Turfgrass Nutrition and Developing a Fertility Program for Turf
Mary Owen, UMass Extension (Retired)
The fundamentals of turfgrass nutrition and the role of nutrients in turf management. Develop an understanding of macro- and micro-nutrients, how they are absorbed/utilized by turfgrass. Discussion will focus on the variables in a fertility program – rate, timing, frequency, and fertilizer characteristics – and how they can be used to develop an effective program for particular uses and settings. Organic fertility programs will be included.

Diseases of Turfgrasses
Angela Madeiras, UMass Extension
The biology and identification of the common turf diseases; management strategies stressing Best Management Practices (BMP) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM); low-input lawns and ecological landscaping as these pertain to disease management; biorational and biological disease control materials.

Pesticide Licensing and Regulations
Taryn LaScola-Miner, MA Dept. of Agricultural Resources
A look at pesticide regulations, particularly in context for Massachusetts, and a review of Massachusetts pesticide applicator licensing and the process of applying for and maintaining your license. 

Pesticide Label Review and Pesticide Safety
Natalia Clifton, UMass Extension
Review of the different components of a pesticide label with a focus on the selection of personal protective equipment.

Principles of Weed Science
Randy Prostak, UMass Extension
General principles of weed science, weed management, and weed identification strategies.

Turf Weed Management
Randy Prostak, UMass Extension
Control strategies for turf weeds including prevention, cultural practices, non-chemical/organic methods and herbicides.

Biology and Ecology of Turf Insects
Olga Kostromytska, UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture
Biology and identification of turfgrass damaging insects; integrated pest management, including setting tolerance levels; current status of biological control strategies; and ways to minimize reliance on insecticides.

Turf Water Relations & Water Management
Jason Lanier, UMass Extension

Water is among our most precious natural resources, and water supplies available for the irrigation of turf are increasingly limited.  This session will cover water relations both within the turfgrass plant and within the turf system, as well as management strategies designed to conserve water and protect water quality.

Bee-ing More Aware About Pesticide Use
Kim Skyrm, MA Dept. of Agricultural Resources
Interest and activity in urban beekeeping has increased dramatically over the past decade with more honey bee hives managed in Massachusetts than ever before. As responsible applicators, land managers, and stewards of the environment, it is important to broaden your awareness about beekeeping and honey bee health. We’ll learn the latest updates on local and national trends in honey bee health, beekeeping in the Commonwealth, and review steps applicators can take to reduce unintended negative impacts. 

Deer Ticks: One Bite Can Change Your Life
Larry Dapsis, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension

Lyme Disease is the most prevalent infectious disease in Massachusetts and is now considered to be a public health crisis. In addition to Lyme, deer ticks can carry the pathogens which cause Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, Relapsing Fever and Powassan virus, all of which can be very serious. This program will review the basic life cycle and ecology of deer ticks, incidence rates and distribution of tick-borne illnesses in addition to a database under development on infection rates of ticks. A three point protection plan will be presented:  Protect Yourself, Protect Your Yard and Protect your Pet. Tick-Borne Diseases are preventable.