MSU Turf School 2024

The MSU Turf School is a 4-day program that teaches 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 program covers 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. A significant portion of the school is dedicated to weed, insect, and disease identification and management. The pest management section is delivered in lecture and laboratory settings with hands-on learning emphasized. 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, that includes.....Rogers, Frank, Nikolai, Dykema, Holm, Hill, Wessel, and Helmberger - 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 including a hands-on identification lab, establishment and renovation, nutrition and fertilizers, weed, insect, and disease management including hands-on identification labs, turfgrass soils, cultivation, compaction, and pesticide regulations and safety.

Where and When?

This year's school will be held Dec. 9-12, 2024, 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 at www.kelloggcenter.com or by calling 1-800-875-5090. Reference the group code 2412TURFSC 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. The 2024 Turf School was awarded 30 MDARD pesticide recertification credits in categories Commercial Core, 3A, 3B, and 6. Turf School was approved for 2.8 GCSAA education points.

How Much? Cost for the school is $700.00 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. 2 without a replacement, you will be charged $100 cancellation fee.