SFMA CONFERENCE PREVIEW
EDUCATION SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2026 Jump start your conference with pre-conference Power Learning Sessions from 1:15 – 5 p. m. on Monday.
1:15-1:30 p. m.: Rapid Preview of Speaker Topics Plus Extras
1:30-2:15 p. m.: Speaking Session 1; presented by Dan Sandor, Ph. D.
Core Aeration by the Numbers. In this presentation attendees will learn the relationship between tine size and spacing and how aerator tine setup impacts the amount of actual playing surface affected by aeration.
The ABC’ s of GDDs. What are growing degree days( GDDs) and are they right for your chemical programs?
Back to School: SFMA and Secondary Education. In this presentation, Dr. Sandor will share his experience in connecting with more than 20 high school programs teaching turfgrass management in Virginia.
2:15-2:30 p. m.: Rapid Review of Speaker Topics Plus Extras
2:30-3:15 p. m.: Speaking Session 2; presented by Pawel Petelewicz, Ph. D.
Herbicide Headaches. This session will focus on how to manage and control the use of herbicides and their application in the field.
3:15-3:30 pm.: Rapid Review of Speaker Topics Plus Extras
3:30-3:50 p. m.: Poster Project Showcase Presentations / Break
3:50-4:35 p. m.: Speaking Session 3; presented by Geoff Rinehart
Fertilizer Product Basics. This presentation will cover distinguishing among major, secondary, and minor nutrients needed for a sports field and major " fast- " and " slowrelease " sources of nutrients.
Using Variety Trial Data to Select the Best Cultivars. This presentation will discuss how to use the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program data and data from other national programs to select the best cultivars for sports field performance.
Turf Disease Basics. This presentation will cover the basics of where different pathogens can infect the turfgrass plant( leaf, crown, root), the " disease triangle " and how that should inform management decisions.
4:35-4:50 p. m.: Rapid Review of Speaker Topics Plus Finale
4:50-5 p. m.: Closing
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20 8-9:30 a. m. General Session: Inside the Pitch— Field Managers’ Perspective on Preparing for FIFA World Cup 2026; presented by John Wright; Tyler Morris, CSFM; Ryan Bjorn; Robert Heggie; Alan Ferguson; Weston Appelfeller, CSFM; Shaun Ilten; David Graham; Ewen Hodge; Trey Rogers, Ph. D.
9:45-10:45 a. m. Time to Take PCI Off the Shelf; presented by David Pinsonneault, CSFM, CPRP, CPWP-M This presentation will discuss the Playing Conditions Index( PCI) tool used in natural grass and synthetic turf athletic field assessment. A real-life example will be presented to outline what the PCI is, why it is an important tool to use in your program, how to complete the PCI forms and how to interpret and use the results.
Renovating Cool-Season Turfgrass Dominated by Annual Bluegrass; presented by Brad Park This presentation will explore Rutgers research results and a case study involving integration of perennial ryegrass overseeding and herbicide applications for the purposes of renovating cool-season sports turf dominated by annual bluegrass.
Simplified Soil Science for Superior Sports Surfaces; presented by Bryan Hopkins, Ph. D. The focus in this session will be to teach advanced soil science concepts in a practical, applied manner to help participants become more effective managers of turfgrass and the soils they grow in. sportsfieldmanagementonline. com November 2025 | SportsField Management
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