Online Learning at Its Best: NESTMA’s Fall Webinar

Many thanks to our education committee for putting together a top-notch educational webinar lineup. While we’d all prefer to meet in person, on-demand webinars offer a convenient, affordable, and accessible way to stay up to date on the latest industry research and information. NESTMA webinars are available on-demand to members for a limited time via Zoom. Please note air dates for each webinar.

Jason Lanier, Extension Educator at the University of Massachusetts

Jason Lanier, Extension Educator at the University of Massachusetts kicked off our Fall webinar series with an excellent presentation, Effective IPM Starts with Smart Turfgrass Selection, that ran September 8 – 18, 2020. Participants learned how matching species and varieties with factors such as site conditions and turf use are key to an IPM system in terms of reduced pest pressure and lower overall pesticide use. Many thanks to Harrells, Hart Seed, US Playground Surfacing, Replay Maintenance USA and Read Custom Soils for supporting our first Fall webinar.

UP NEXT

OCTOBER 20 – 30, 2020 Know Your Audience: Strategies for Discussing Pest Management

Public pressure regarding pesticide use has increased to the extent that many athletic field managers are now prohibited from using pesticides altogether. Many professionals feel comfortable talking about the merits of pesticide use with colleagues but fall short when discussing the topic with those outside the green industry. Learn effective ways to confidently communicate the benefits of pesticide use with your facility’s decision-makers, stakeholders, and the general public.

This webinar has been approved for one (1) MDAR PACE contact hour. If you are a licensed pesticide applicator, please provide your license number when you register.

James Brosnan, Ph.D.

James Brosnan, Ph.D. Professor of Plant Science & Director of Weed Diagnostic Center University of Tennessee

NOVEMBER 17 – 27, 2020 Prepping Fields to Reduce Winter Injury

Winter injury can be a significant issue in northern climates, resulting in declines in playability and turf quality as well as costly reestablishment. Topics for discussion will include the major causes for winter injury in grasses used for sports turf, physiological mechanisms associated with turfgrass overwintering and freezing tolerance, as well as important IPM practices to improve turfgrass winter conditioning while reducing reliance on pesticides.

Michelle DaCosta, Ph.D.

Michelle DaCosta, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Turfgrass Physiology University of Massachusetts – Stockbridge School of Agriculture

DECEMBER 10 – 20, 2020 More Than Bugs in Jugs: Understanding Biofungicides for Turfgrass Disease Management

Biofungicides for turfgrass disease control are available, however adoption has been limited due to ineffective or unreliable control. The goal of this presentation is to explain what biopesticides are, how they work, and to discuss ongoing research looking at ways to enhance efficacy of biofungicides through improvement in the establishment and persistence of introduced biocontrol antagonists applied to athletic fields.

John Inguagiato, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Turfgrass Pathology Plant Science & Landscape Architecture University of Connecticut

For more information and to register visit NESTMA.org/UpcomingEvents. A Zoom link will be sent to you with your confirmation. For sponsorship information, please contact Charissa Sharkey at NESTMAinfo@gmail.com or (508) 653-1241.

Calling All Speakers & Sponsors

NESTMA’s Education Committee is always eager to bring fresh perspective and ideas to the membership through virtual programming. Topics ranging from technical turfgrass management to leadership and communication have been suggested. Do you have educational information you’d like to present? Outline your idea using this brief online (NESTMA.org/webinar-form) and the committee will be in touch. If you are a commercial partner who is interested in sponsoring NESTMA webinars, please reach out to the Charissa at the NESTMA office and we’ll find the opportunity that gives your company the maximum ROI.