SFMA IN ACTION
Post-conference Educational Opportunities
SFMA ’ s annual conference takes place in person January 22-25 , in Daytona Beach , Florida , and will continue with virtual education each week post conference . The postconference session dates and featured educators include :
WEEK 1 – JANUARY 30
2-3 P . M . EST Using NTEP Data to Select Turfgrass Varieties for Sports Fields
Geoffrey Rinehart , lecturer , University of Maryland This presentation will include an overview of how improved turfgrass varieties are critical to a sound management program , and will include an overview of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program ( NTEP ), the process for evaluating turfgrass cultivars and steps on how to use NTEP ’ s website and database to select improved turfgrass varieties for athletic fields .
3:15-4:15 P . M . EST Turfgrass 101 : Focusing on the Basics
Greg Munshaw , Ph . D ., director of agronomy for PARC Research and Consulting Sports field managers have a lot going on , but sometimes don ’ t always understand why certain practices are necessary or what happens in the plant or soil when we do certain things . From germination through plant maturity , Greg Munshaw , Ph . D ., will discuss what is going on in the plant and will break down seasonal variation in growth habits to identify optimum timing of various maintenance practices . The impact that specific practices such as fertilizing , watering and mowing have on turfgrass will be discussed .
WEEK 2 – FEBRUARY 6
2-3 P . M . EST Sports Turf Managers and Government Relations
Jason Bowers , CSFM , sports turf manager , Montgomery Parks Patrick Coakley , CSFM , business development mid-Atlantic , DuraEdge Products This presentation will discuss the process of helping to create the BMP books and the next step of hiring a lobbyist and the continuing work to keep SFM relevant in government relations .
3:15-4:15 P . M . EST Take the Million Gallon Challenge !
Brad Jakubowski , MS , CIT , professor , Penn State University Water efficiency is important no matter the source or method of use . This seminar challenges turf managers to conserve one million gallons or more throughout the course of a season by improving irrigation efficiency and by implementing various outdoor and indoor watersaving practices throughout the entire facility . In addition to reducing costs , saving one million gallons promotes environmental stewardship and enhances public relations with a water-conscious public .
WEEK 3 – FEBRUARY 13
2-3 P . M . EST Fraise Mowing – Uses , Effects and Recovery
Raymond McCauley , Ph . D . Fraise mowing is an aggressive cultural practice that is not for the faint of heart . This presentation will prime field managers for fraise mowing and will cover fraise mowing ’ s uses , effects and recovery .
3:15-4:15 P . M . EST Data and Decisions : Applying Research in Sports Field Management Practices
Tyler Carr , Ph . D ., professor at The Ohio State University Dan Sandor , Ph . D ., professor at Virgina Tech University Sports field managers are required to produce playing surfaces that maximize field quality , playability and safety in an environmentally sustainable and economically sound manner . To determine which products and practices are right for managing their field , sports field managers must first understand the importance of the scientific method and be able to correctly interpret scientific data and research findings .
WEEK 4 – FEBRUARY 20
2-3 P . M . EST Regenerative Athletic Field Management
Barry Stewart , Ph . D ., professor , Mississippi State University The basis of regenerative agriculture is a land management philosophy that improves soil health while building nutrient density and crop resilience . This presentation will focus on how soil health parameters tests can be evaluated to give insights into the health of our turfgrass soils and turfgrass stands .
3:15-4:15 P . M . EST Managing Common Insect Pests in Cool-season Athletic Fields
Geoffrey Rinehart , lecturer , University of Maryland This presentation will cover the common insect pests of cool-season sports fields in the transition zone and northern zones , including the white grub complex , chinch bugs , billbugs , cutworms , and sod webworm . Rinehart will briefly discuss the life cycles of these insects , the plant and “ stand ” symptoms associated with them and basic IPM concepts .
8 SportsField Management | January 2024 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com