NC Cooperative Extension and the Turfgrass Council of NC schedule professional turfgrass course in Asheville

From NC Cooperative Extension:

2015 Certified Turfgrass Professional Short Course: This short course is sponsored by NC Cooperative Extension and the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina. Classes will be held at the Asheville School located on the right off of Smokey Park Highway North about 1 mile from I-40 exit 44. The classes will be held in the Athletic building. Classes are on Fridays from 9:00 -4:00 p.m. each day. To become a Certified Turfgrass Professional you must register with the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina in order to take the exam. You must also have already become a licensed pesticide applicator, for one year to sit for the exam.

North Carolina Pesticide Credits have been applied for. Please note–you may take the class for the educational content without taking the exam.

Day 1- Jan. 23, 2015: Section I Turfgrass Characteristics The Benefits of Turf in Our World; The Many Parts of North Carolina’s Turfgrass Industry; Important Turfgrass Characteristics; Vegetative Identification of Turfgrasses; Regions of North Carolina where the major grass species are best adapted; Some of the commonly used cultivars for each turfgrass species. Section II Establishing Turfgrass, Criteria that should be considered when selecting turfgrasses; Climatic zones of North Carolina; Best time to establish a particular turfgrass species; How to prepare a site for planting; Different planting methods; How to read a seed label to purchase the best seed; How to calculate seed needs; How to renovate a poor or declining turf; How to select and manage turfgrasses for shaded environments.

Day 2- Jan. 30, 2015: Section III Soils & Nutrient Management, Introduction to Soil-Water Dynamics; Soil Volume; Soil Structure; Soil Depth & Horizons; Soil Colloids; Essential Elements; Nutrient Availability; Cation Exchange Capacity; Soil pH – Acidity & Liming; Macronutrients and Micronutrients; Nutrient Management Strategies: Soil Testing, Plant Tissue Testing, Monitoring & Visual Estimates; Nutrient Management Programs: Turf Species, Fertilization Timing, Fertilization Frequency, Fertilization Rates, Fertilizer Formulations; Environmental Concerns & Considerations – Section IV Cultural Practices Mowing; Irrigation; Vertical Mowing; Power Raking; Aeration; Root Zone Cultivation.

Day 3- Feb. 6, 2015: Section V Pests & Integrated Pest Management, Pest Management Strategies; Weed Identification and Management ; Diseases: Causes, Hosts, Developmental Factors & Forecasting, Symptoms; Management of Insects: Identification, Prediction, Thresholds & Management Section VI Pesticides Characteristics/Pesticide Characteristics; Pesticide Selection; Pesticide Formulations Applied as Solids; Pesticide Formulations Applied as Liquids; Judicious Pesticide Use; Pesticides in the Turf Environment; Storing, Handling & Disposing of Pesticides; Protective Clothing; Spill Containment, Accident Response; Equipment Cleanup; Plant Growth Regulators **Pesticide Credits applied for – Hands-on Lab

Day 4- Feb. 13, 2015: Section VII- Landscape Safety and Pesticide Use- Personal & Operational Safety; The Role of HAZCOM Training; The differences between the chemical and trade name of pesticides; Safe and effective use of pesticides Section VIII Calculations & Calibration Area Measurement; Calculations & Dilution Ratios; Sprayer Calibration; Sprayer Maintenance; Spreader Calibration; Spreader Maintenance; Fertilizer Calculations; Fertilizer Analysis & Ratios; Application Techniques & Options -Hands-on LabSection IX Turfgrass Business & Economics/Review Effective Personnel Management; Estimating Insurance; Accounting; Permitting & Licensing; Marketing; Customer & Public Relations; Review Session; Evaluations

Day 5- Feb. 20: EXAM This exam may take all of 6 hrs, to be held at the Asheville School location to start at 9:00 a.m. and go until time is called! Exam fees to be paid to Turfgrass Council of NC. You must take and pass this exam to become a Certified Turfgrass Professional.

Registration forms are available here and due by Jan. 10. (We need confirmation early in order to get the books shipped to us in time for the class to begin). Class Size Limited to 25

Registration for this class- $100.00 for the first person and $25.00 each for each additional employee. (only one book per company). Additional books are $50 each. This fee covers the first textbook, refreshments, and all hand out materials! If you have a book, the fee is $25.00. This cost does not include the examination fee! That fee is payable to TCNC This information will be mailed to you at your request if you wish to take the examination. It is not currently, on the internet. PLEASE MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO Buncombe County and MAIL TO: Cliff Ruth, Extension Area Agent, Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Center 94 Coxe Avenue Asheville, NC 28801