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This page is intended to keep turf managers abreast of current green industry events and educational opportunities in the Northeast region. Check back to this page often, as information pertaining to upcoming events will be posted as soon as it becomes available. If you have information about an upcoming event that you would like to see listed on this page, please contact the webmaster. Don't forget to also visit the UMass Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry Program Conferences and Workshops page .

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Managing Environmental Stress: Reducing Winter Injury to Golf Course Greens
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2008
Time: 1:15 PM - 3:30 PM (with optional laboratory tour from 3:30 - 4:30 PM)
Location: UMass Campus Center - Amherst, MA

Turf stress and damage from winter injury are increasingly pressing issues for golf turf in New England, particularly as superintendents and crews are continually challenged to provide pristine playing conditions. Diligent research, however, has begun to hone in on concepts and trends that may help to mitigate winter damage to golf course turf in the future. This session will cover what we know about winter injury causes and prevention, preparing greens for the winter, and identifying, predicting and recovering from winter injury damage. An open discussion will be included, as well as an optional tour of labratory facilities on the UMass Campus. Join Dr. Michelle DaCosta, UMass Turf Physiologist, Dr. Geunhwa Jung, UMass Turf Pathologist, Jim Skorulski, USGA Agronomist and Chris Frielinghaus, CGCS, Superintendent at Glens Falls Country Club in Queensbury, NY.

Two pesticide recertification contact hours will be available for all New England states for category 37 (turf) and category 00, Licensed Applicator. 0.20 GCSAA Education points will be offered.

To register by mail with check or PO#:   To register online with credit card: Download registration form (PDF 40K) Click for online credit card registration

For more information, contact Mary Owen (508) 892-0382; mowen@umext.umass.edu or Jason Lanier (413) 545-2965; jdlanier@umext.umass.edu

UMass Extension's 2008 Green School
Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2008 - Thursday, December 18, 2008
Location: Doubletree Inn (formerly Sheraton Milford and Radisson Milford), 11 Beaver St., Milford, MA (at exit 19 off Route 495).

Green School is a comprehensive 11-day certificate short course for Green Industry professionals taught by UMass Extension Specialists and University of Massachusetts faculty. This course is designed for landscapers, lawn care specialists, arborists and other horticultural practitioners wishing to gain an understanding of horticultural fundamentals and strategies and their relation to environmental quality. Green School attendees learn about sustainable approaches to turf and landscape management and tree care, making environmentally appropriate decisions related to turf and plant selection, arboriculture, plant maintenance, and pest and nutrient management.

For complete information about UMass Extension's 2008 Green School including schedule, curriculum, and registration information, visit our Green School page.

2009 UMass Winter School for Turf Managers
Dates: January 5 - February 19, 2009
Location: UMass, Amherst, MA

The perennial goal of the UMass Winter School for Turf Managers is to furnish turf managers with the concepts essential to the maintenance of high quality turf, while instilling a sense of environmental stewardship and fiscal responsibility. The dynamic curriculum is designed specifically for working professionals associated with the management of golf courses, athletic fields, parks, industrial, municipal and private grounds, fine lawns and landscapes. This comprehensive seven-week certificate program is especially suited for experienced professionals who need to update their knowledge and skills, and who want to advance in the field of turf management, but cannot schedule a two or four-year program.

The next available session of the UMass Winter School for Turf Managers will be held January 5 - February 19, 2009. Final program details and registration materials will be available in late summer, 2008. For further information, contact UMass Continuing & Professional Education Academic Programs at 413-545-5202; academicprograms@contined.umass.edu or visit our Winter School page.

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