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Turf School
| Name | Suzanne Holmes | | Situation | Fifty percent of inquiries coming into the Aiken Extension Office concern questions dealing with turfgrass issues. From the latest economic impact study of the Turfgrass Industry in South Carolina, landscapers and turf farms contributed to 50% of the jobs in the Ornamental Horticulture Industry and $5 million worth of sales. They need up-to-date research based information on management of turf areas. Also, clients with Commercial Pesticide credits need ten recertification credits by December 2008. | | Response | A one-day course was set up and held at three locations in South Carolina. Aiken was one of the training sites. Best management practices were taught for the following topics: water quality, insects, pathology, fertilization, and weeds. New pesticides lists were also given. Three pesticide credits were given. | | Impact | Sixty-one people attended Turf School in Aiken. Fifty-two of the people said they would use the information on their jobs. . One hundred percent said they had gained knowledge. Ninety percent rated the information given was good or excellent. The school resulted in the clientele minimizing environmental costs from over-applying pesticides, using more effective pesticides on problems, and using less pesticides as a result of understanding and identifying pests and their life cycles. They also learned how foliar fertilization would benefit turf. The issues discussed would also help reduce costs. |
Last update7/11/2008
This website is maintained by Vickie Browder.
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