Published Sunday, November 18, 2007 2:14 AM

Grass is greener after turf course

BY ERIC ZIMMERMAN

The fourth annual Turfgrass Ecology and Management Short Course is a continuing-education program designed for professionals caring for turfgrass in a broad range of management systems.

These systems include sports turf, lawn care, golf, parks, municipal lawns/recreation areas and sod production.

The Turf Short Course assists professionals in developing or updating their own science-based turf-management programs and strategies. The January course attracted 60 people, and the upcoming program promises to be another successful event.

The five-day course will be held at Texas A&M University. The cost is $625 per participant and includes: Turfgrasses: Their Management and Use in the Southern Zone as the text, a short-course notebook of reference materials, a CEU certificate, four lunches and refreshments. Participants will be awarded 3.6 Continuing Education Units (36 contact hours).

The course is directed by David Chalmers, a state turfgrass Extension specialist, with instruction provided by 13 Texas A&M University turfgrass program faculty members.

The program's topics include turfgrass growth, development and identification; grass adaptation, selection and use; seed, sod and sprig establishment; turf stress management; winter overseeding; pesticide laws, regulations and safety; environmental and industry issues; soil physical, chemical and biology properties; nutrient management; mowing; weed and insect issues; and integrated pest management.

Enrollment is limited, and early registration is encouraged. Pre-registration is required through the Texas A&M Office of Continuing and Professional Studies. Deadline is Jan. 8.

For more information, visit http://capso.tamu.edu/all-programs/turfgrass. This Web site allows you to navigate the course information online registration, speaker bios and lodging information. You will also be able to download the program brochure.

Additional information can also be obtained by contacting David Chalmers at dchalmers@tamu.edu or Vickie Marriott at 845-0884 or vmarriott@ag.tamu.edu.

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