SFMA Update

National Turfgrass Science Curriculum

SFMA is partnering with iCEV Multimedia, LLC to promote a national online turfgrass curriculum. iCEV serves as a platform in which students can not only gain the knowledge to succeed in school but also gain the necessary skill set to become a thriving member of the modern workforce.

iCEV provides educators pre-built, fully customizable courses complete with multimedia lessons and supporting coursework. The turfgrass curriculum will feature presentations accompanied by detailed lesson plans, projects and activities, handouts, assessments and more. Content is aligned to the latest state and national standards. The goal of the curriculum is to provide students with the focus and preparation needed for a successful transition from K-12 to postsecondary studies to career success, along with providing necessary training for the life-long learner. The turfgrass science curriculum culminates in industry certification testing of which SFMA will be the exclusive industry partner.

EPA Terminating Two Pesticides

1. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing the proposed interim decision (PID) for the pesticide diuron. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) requires EPA to review pesticides every 15 years. Diuron is used as an herbicide to control annual and perennial broadleaf and grassy weeds in a variety of agricultural sites and non-agricultural sites. Based on the revised draft risk assessments EPA is proposing to terminate all herbicide uses on non-food agricultural sites (e.g., ornamentals) and on all non-agricultural sites (e.g., rights-of-way, utilities, roadways). It is also being recommended for termination in other food and feed uses. Upon publication of the Federal Register notice, public comments will be accepted for 60 days in the diuron registration review docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0077 at www.regulations.gov.

2. The EPA is issuing a notice of intent to suspend (NOITS), which when effective, will prevent the sale, distribution, and use of the technical-grade product containing the pesticide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA). DCPA is an herbicide applied to control grasses and certain broadleaf weeds in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings. Non-agricultural use sites include non-residential turf and ornamentals. AMVAC, the registrant, has not provided the EPA with requested data. If AMVAC submits the missing data after the suspension becomes effective, EPA can lift the suspension. Upon publication of the NOITS in the Federal Register, all supporting documents will be available in the DCPA registration review docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0374 at www.regulations.gov

SFMA on TikTok

SFMA is now on TikTok and we want to spotlight our members! Please send in any videos you have featuring your field, the work you and your team do, as well as any new technology you may be using to wwebber@sportsfieldmanagement.org. If you already have a TikTok please tag @FieldExperts and we will be sure to repost your video! •