Upcoming Events

We’ll See You on the Road in 2022!

2022 Road Show Schedule and Speakers

The ATA is looking forward to returning to our in-person Road Shows in 2022. Our education committee, Dr. David Han, Dr. Jim Jacobi and James Horton have a wonderful program lined up. We hope to see you at one of the six Road Shows in January and February! Registration for these events will begin online in November.

SCHEDULE

JANUARY 5 – ATA Auburn Road Show – CASIC Building, AU

JANUARY 12 – ATA Loxley Road Show – Loxley Civic Center

JANUARY 26 – ATA Dothan Road Show – Troy Dothan Campus

FEBRUARY 2 – Montgomery Road Show – Arrowhead Country Club

FEBRUARY 16 – Birmingham Road Show – Gardendale Civic Center

FEBRUARY 23 – Huntsville Road Show – Jaycees Building

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Please see our line-up of presentations and speakers below.

Does Your Turfgrass Have Hard Feelings?

Dr. David Han

This talk will discuss the issues of compaction, hardpan, rock, and/or no topsoil that exist from construction around new developments. Solving the compaction problems will be covered. Also, solutions will be offered for dealing with fertility, pH, pesticide application, etc. when dealing with these "hard" problem issues.

Combination Herbicides That Work

Dr. Scott McElroy and Jim Harris

Combination herbicide products "old and new" will be discussed. You'll get the latest information regarding the status of the ones coming on market. Plus, what does the future hold for glyphosate?

New and Emerging Insects

Dr. David Held and Dr. Katelyn Kesheimer

Last year we saw invasions of armyworms, the most in several years! This year who knows! During this talk you'll hear about new insects attacking turfgrass and ornamentals such as Broad-Headed Bug, Crape Myrtle Scale, etc. Methods for detection and control will also be discussed.

Post-Emergent Herbicides

Peter Lange, PBI Gordon

Post-emergent herbicides with multiple modes of action are becoming very important with resistance management and hard to control weeds. New formulations are creating a lower impact on the environment. Plus, how to properly use plant growth regulation to save time with labor shortages.

Can Turfgrass Diseases Be Prevented?

Dr. Amanda Strayer-Scherer

You will hear what turfgrass managers can do to initiate Preventative Disease Control Measures for Take-All Root-Rot, Large Patch, Dollar Spot, Brown Patch and Spring Dead Spot.

Pesticide Storage from Purchase to Application

Dr. Sonya Thomas and John Nabors

What's required for worker and environmental safety during transport and storage at your facility? What signage is required on your equipment and storage facilities? Also, an update on the new EPA proposed non-certified applicator training, testing and permit requirements.

Supply Chain Problems That Occurred During the COVID Pandemic; Are They Here to Stay?

Representatives from the Manufacturers, Distributors and Equipment Companies — to be announced.

This will be a round table panel of Industry and Extension leaders that will discuss the shortages of materials, chemicals, parts, and equipment that we've all experienced this past year. Attendees will be able to participate, comment, and ask questions.

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OUR SPEAKERS

Jim Harris

Jim is the retired superintendent of the Auburn University Turfgrass Research Unit where he facilitated research for over 20 years. He is currently working as a researcher under the supervision of Dr. Scott McElroy in the Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Department.

David Han, Ph.D.

Dr. David Han is an Associate Professor and Turfgrass Specialist for Auburn University in the Crop Soil & Environmental Science Department and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. He earned his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University and his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Cornell University. He also serves as the Educational Director for the Alabama Turfgrass Association.

David Held, Ph.D.

Dr. David Held is Chair of Auburn University’s Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, His area of interest is the ecology and management of phytophagous insects. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture with a Minor in Pest Management from the University of Kentucky and a Master’s Degree and Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Kentucky.

Katelyn Kesheimer, Ph.D.

Katelyn is Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist with the Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology at Auburn University. She earned her Ph.D. in Entomology at the University of Kentucky in 2015, her Masters in Biology at Eastern Illinois University in 2009 and her B.S. in Biology at the University of Kentucky in 2006.

Peter Lange

Peter Lange is PBI Gordon’s sales representative for Alabama and surrounding areas. He earned an Educational Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Florida State University as well as an Associate of Applied Science in Golf Course and Athletic Field Turfgrass Management from Kirkwood Community College. He later went on to earn a Master’s in business administration from Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Prior to working with PBI Gordon, Peter was an assistant golf course superintendent at Atlanta Athletic Club.

Scott McElroy, Ph.D.

Dr. Scott McElroy is a Professor of Weed Science at Auburn University’s Crop Soil and Environmental Science Department. Scott serves as the educational advisor for the Alabama Golf Course Superintendents Association as well as the Education Committee Chairman for the Deep South Turf Expo.

John Nabors

John Nabors is currently employed as Alabama Extension's Green Industry Training Coordinator and serves as the Alabama Green Industry Training Center's Executive Director since 2013. John has a B.S. degree in Horticulture from Auburn University along with an Ornamental & Turf Pest Control Supervisor certification, Setting of Landscape Plants certification, and Landscape Design certification from the Alabama Department of Agriculture. He is an authorized OSHA trainer for General Industry.

Amanda Scherer, Ph.D.

Amanda is an Assistant Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist at Auburn University. Amanda earned her Doctoral and Master’s degrees in Plant Pathology from the University of Florida, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Cell Science at the University of Florida. She was also a Postdoctoral Research Scholar at North Carolina State University.

Sonja Thomas, Ph.D.

Dr. Sonja Thomas is an Administrator of Outreach Programs with the ACES Administration. Her program areas include Agronomic Crops, Animal Science and Forages, and Commercial Horticulture. She also specializes in Pesticide Applicator Training Programs.