Kevin Frank, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences -
The MSU Turf School, Dec. 11-14, 2023, is a four-day short course designed to teach the basics of turfgrass science as well as the practical techniques of managing turfgrass.
The Michigan State University Turf School is a course designed to teach the basics of turfgrass science as well as the practical techniques of managing turfgrass. The school will be team-taught by MSU turfgrass faculty and staff. The curriculum is designed to deliver a wide range of turfgrass management topics including basic soils and soil management, turfgrass species identification, selection and physiology, turf establishment and renovation, fertilization, proper pesticide use and environmental stewardship.
The strength of the school lies within the depth of the turfgrass faculty at MSU. This will provide an excellent opportunity for one-on-one interaction between participants and the MSU turfgrass faculty. This is your chance to get to know the MSU turf team. All team members instruct, including Joe Vargas, Trey Rogers, Kevin Frank, Thom Nikolai, Emily Merewitz-Holm, Nancy Dykema, Barett Wessel, and John Stone. If you know the name but not the face, this is your chance to meet the team and get all your questions answered!
Who should attend?
Anyone looking to add to their turf knowledge. The school starts with the turf basics and expands from there throughout the week. Past attendees include golf course employees without formal training, lawn care company employees, turfgrass equipment technicians, industry sales representatives and school employees responsible for grounds and athletic fields.
What is covered?
Topics include turfgrass species and cultivars, establishment and renovation, nutrition and fertilizers, weed, insect and disease management, and turfgrass soils, cultivation, compaction and thatch.
Where and when?
This year's school will be held Dec. 11-14, 2023, at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on the campus of Michigan State University. The school begins at 8 a.m. on Monday and concludes at 5 p.m. on Thursday.
Lodging arrangements can be made with the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center either online or by calling 1-800-875-5090. Reference the group code 2312DEPART to secure the room rate of $125/night for either single or double occupancy.
Credits!
Need some MDARD credits or GCSAA CEU points? Turf School is the place to clean up. Credits are pending but, in the past, Turf School was awarded 32 MDARD pesticide recertification credits available in categories Commercial Core, Private Core, 3A and 6.
How much?
Cost for the school is $700 and includes all class materials and lunches at the MSU Brody Complex Monday-Thursday. Registration is limited to the first 100, so reserve your spot now. If you cancel after Dec. 4 without a replacement, you will be charged a $100 cancellation fee.
For questions regarding the MSU Turf School, please contact Kevin Frank at frankk@msu.edu.
How do I register?
Online registration is now available for the 2023 MSU Turf School.
For more information, contact Kevin Frank at frankk@msu.edu.