Water Management

Matt Bruns

Irrigation Water Conservation Products and Technology

Water Conservation Products and Techniques Time Requested Talk Description Class will be a "hands-on and join-in" discussion and presentation on the latest products and trends in water conservation for irrigation systems.  We will be exploring a range of techniques used to educate customers and confer best practices recommended by water management experts.

3 Main Bullet Points of Talk

1) Current - Where we Are
2) Water Management Products and Techniques
3) You, You, You

 

Bill Rosner

Drainage

 

L McClemore

Pumps 101

 

Paul Wait

Advanced Backflow Prevention for Landscape Irrigation

Landscape irrigation systems require backflow prevention by municipal plumbing codes. This specialized course explores backflow basics, cross connections, and hazard classifications of various types of testable backflow preventers commonly installed on irrigation systems. It will detail the operation of RP and PVB backflow preventers, approved installation standards, selecting an RP vs. PVB, troubleshooting and water hammer mitigation.

3 Main Bullet Points of Talk

1. Types of Backflow Preventers for Irrigation Systems
2. Backflow Preventer Operation and Installation Requirements
3. Troubleshooting and Water Hammer Mitigation

 

Sports Fields

Dr. Greg Munshaw

Sports Fields Grass Selection to Reduce Inputs

Perception has become reality in terms of chemical and fertilizer applications to sports fields across the country. Even if a product is being used properly and in the safest manner possible, the perception still exists that the inputs applied to sports fields are either hurting the environment or are unsafe for our kids to play on. Because of these perceptions, restrictions are being imposed by local governments in the northern U.S. as well as in Canada. There is a strong likelihood that we will continue to see increased chemical and fertilizer limitations across the country in the coming years. This presentation is not to promote reducing inputs in the green industry, rather it’s focus is on how improved genetics in all grass species can help to reduce inputs and help change the perception that sports field management is inherently bad. The focus will be on grass options for sports fields and specific cultivars, blends, and mixes that have been shown to thrive in tough environments with little or no chemical assistance.

3 Main Bullet Points of Talk

1. How improved cultivars can reduce the need for additional chemicals, fertilizer, and water.

2. The pros and cons of different grasses as well as a list of cultivars that have been shown to        require fewer inputs including their strengths and weaknesses.

3. Specific management practices for these improved cultivars including establishment of, or          renovation to a new low input cultivar.

Dr. Brad Jakubowski

Back to Basics:  Troubleshooting Your Irrigation System’s Electronics

 

Dr. Brad Jakubowski

Weather Apps and Weather Decisions, Let’s Make the Most of Both

 

Dr. Shawn Askew

America's Most UN-Wanted: weeds of golf and sports turf and how to control them

Talk description

This presentation will discuss factors that lead to invasion of common weeds and how to control them in golf and sports turf. Weeds such as crabgrass, goosegrass, nutsedge, kyllinga, Paspalum, bermudagrass, stiltgrass, and various broadleaf species will be covered.

3 Main Bullet Points of Talk

• Why do some weeds occur in some places and not others.
• How to manage sports and golf turf to prevent and control common weed problems.
• Using targeted application techniques as a method to improve turf safety.

 

GOLF

Dr. Shawn Askew

Chemical & Cultural Strategies for Poa annua Control on Golf Courses

Talk Description

This presentation will cover identification and biology of annual bluegrass from the perspective of designing cultural and chemical control strategies. Specific control strategies will include PGRs, seedhead suppressors, herbicides, and targeted application techniques.

3 Main Bullet Points of Talk

• Understand why Poa thrives in certain conditions and how we might stack the environmental "cards" against it.
• Review equipment factors that can improve Poa control or selectivity between cool-season turfgrass and weeds.
• Discuss various Poa control practices using chemical and cultural methods.

 

Dr. Shawn Askew

America's Most UN-Wanted: weeds of golf and sports turf and how to control them

Talk description

This presentation will discuss factors that lead to invasion of common weeds and how to control them in golf and sports turf. Weeds such as crabgrass, goosegrass, nutsedge, kyllinga, Paspalum, bermudagrass, stiltgrass, and various broadleaf species will be covered.

3 Main Bullet Points of Talk

• Why do some weeds occur in some places and not others.
• How to manage sports and golf turf to prevent and control common weed problems.
• Using targeted application techniques as a method to improve turf safety.

 

Paul Jacobs

Year In Review What Worked and What Didn't?

Talk Description

Paul will review findings from his visits to 70+ golf courses this year. He will discuss what trends are emerging and what has worked well and lessons learned from things that didn't work so well.

 

Paul Jacobs

Round Table Discussion Moderated by Paul Jacobs of the USGA

Talk Description

Paul will

moderate a conversational session where attendees will share their thoughts and comments on various topics. Areas of focus will include topics such as aeration, labor and wetting agent use.

 

 

Green Industry Business & Technology

 

Anita Brooks

Slaying the Stealthy 7 Stealing your Money, Time and Energy

 

Mark Wheeler

UAS Drone Photography

I would like to introduce the horticulture and golf course maintenance to how aerial photography and mapping can help in your day to day preparation, planning and vegetation maintenance.

3 Main Bullet Points of Talk

• planning your site
• health of your plants and vegetation
• starting your own in house aerial photography program

 

 

Kelly Dowell

Using Technology in Your Landscape Business

Time management tips, productivity apps, and office management tools are seldom designed specifically for green industry businesses. This presentation highlights tech-savvy tools that can be applied to different areas of your business, including email, marketing, proposals, time management, CRM, and recruiting.

Learn simple yet highly impactful ways to use free or inexpensive online tools to automate and/or streamline your busy days. Avoid feeling overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the green industry. Coordinate and simplify your tasks as a green industry professional by applying Kelly’s favorite tech tools.

3 Main Bullet Points of Tal

1. Time management in the green industry
2. My favorite tech tools for different categories of managing a business
3. What works for one doesn’t work for all, try and keep trying

Title of Talk:  2022 Best Practices Round Table

In this session we will ask the panel several questions related to the different tech tools they use in their business:

• business management software
• drone technology
• social media marketing
• billing, a/p, a/r
• routing and scheduling
• design and takeoff work
• etc

 

 

Landscape Design

 

Laura Ekasetya

20 Perennials for Naturalistic Plantings

 

These dreamy plants provide multi-season interest and support local wildlife. Learn more about these selections that have found their way into some of the most important current gardens in the naturalistic style, yet are underused in the landscape. Versatile, enduring, and sensuous, they hold the attention of humans and insects alike.

 

Dave Gunn

Woody Perennial Pruning for Pros

A conversation discussing some tips, techniques, and strategies that will enhance your pruning skills and your understanding of how to maintain and care for woody perennials in the landscape.

3 Main Bullet Points of Talk

- The importance of establishing goals

-Techniques based on growth habit

-Timing is not everything

 

Amanda Mellenthin

Shaping the Future of Green Industry

The Carriel Garden is a space where junior high students can explore and experiment in nature while learning about connections to society, citizenship, and future professions. Starting from a school-wide lunch waste worm composting program, the Carriel Garden has flourished into a problem-based learning experience for students at Carriel Junior High in O’Fallon, IL. This session focuses on the success and failures encountered in creating a native pollinator patch, vegetable garden, and small school greenhouse. The presenter, Mrs. Mellenthin, will share lessons she has experienced first hand with her 7th grade science students from starting seeds, to navigating the local farmers market to sell student grown plants, and other techniques used to teach skills to the next generation.

 

Kelly Dowell

2022 Best Practices Round Table

In this session we will ask the panel several questions related to the different tech tools they use in their business:

• business management software
• drone technology
• social media marketing
• billing, a/p, a/r
• routing and scheduling
• design and takeoff work
• etc

 

Lawn & Landscape Maintenance

Laura Ekasetya

20 Perennials for Naturalistic Plantings

These dreamy plants provide multi-season interest and support local wildlife. Learn more about these selections that have found their way into some of the most important current gardens in the naturalistic style, yet are underused in the landscape. Versatile, enduring, and sensuous, they hold the attention of humans and insects alike.

 

Dr. Shawn Askew

 Weed Management in Lawns, Landscapes, and Native-plant Areas

Talk Description

This talk will give an overview of common weeds and management strategies, including herbicides and cultural practices, for lawns and ornamental beds.  Topics related to incorporating native plants and pollinator-serving plants into managed turf will also be covered.

3 Main Bullet Points of Talk

• How to control weeds in lawns, ornamental beds, and native plant bed establishment.
• Cultural practices that influence weed pressure in landscape beds and lawns.
• Most commonly encountered native plants of Virginia and how to incorporate pollinator-serving plants into managed lawns.

 

Dr. Jonathan Larson

2022 Pest Retrospective and Future Problems

Jonathan Larson of UK Entomology will discuss the major pests of note from the 2022 growing season. In Kentucky there have been several pests ramping their populations up and invasive species have been on the move as well. We’ll also gaze into the crystal ball and see if there are any new problems for managers on the horizon.

3 Main Bullet Points of Talk

-The arthropods that most plagued us in 2022

-Management methods for emerging issues like annual bluegrass weevil

-Upcoming pests that pose unique problems for turf managers

 

Dan Moncheski

Talk Title:  Adding Urban Ecology into Sight Prep and Design

Talk Description

During this talk, we'll examine the basics of urban ecology and a native plant palate, current industry standards and trends, and then examine where there is an overlap between the two utilizing multiple online tools and new techniques.

3 Main Bullet Points of Talk

-The ecological history of a site can positively influence the designed aesthetic and functionality of that site.

-Proper site prep is the basis for a highly functional landscape.

-A healthier, more vibrant landscape can be installed with minimal additional cost to a project over the life of the site.