A Look Back at the 2006 Turfgrass Ecology & Management Short Course

David Chalmers, State Extension Turfgrass Specialist

Texas Cooperative Extension

 

The Turfgrass Ecology and Management Short Course, a fee-based course ($595), was held January 23-27, 2006 in College Station on the campus of Texas A&M University. The 34 participants represented various segments of the Texas turf industry: sod production; lawn care company; golf course; municipality; regulatory agency; irrigation; and extension agent. Classes ran from 9 AM to 5 PM on Monday; 8 AM to 5 PM Tuesday through Thursday and from 8 AM till noon Friday. The five-day program is unique as it goes beyond the typical abbreviated conference and CEU driven programs to deliver in-depth training for turfgrass professionals who require competency in all aspects of turfgrass management. TAMU instructors work to make the training as real world as possible with examples of how the science behind fine turf management is part of any turf/soil management system.

 

Enrollment in 2006 grew by 41% over the first course offering in 2005. Comments and reviews by attendees seem to indicate all were pleased with course content and course delivery. Course participant surveys of learner benefits consistently produced answers of “agree” or “strongly agree” for the following statements: 1) gained new insights, relevant to my work; 2) the course challenged my thinking; 3) I am likely to apply what I have learned; and 4) I am more likely to adopt better management practices. Attendees were also complimentary of the quality of the training facility, The Donald Houston Center, which offers a comfortable classroom-style seating at tables in a very modern training facility. Plans are to hold the 3rd annual Turfgrass Ecology & Management Short Course in January 22-26, 2007.

 

I was pleased with the increased participation in the second year that this training has been offered by Texas A&M. It is my experience that this type of in-depth training provides industry professionals with the following benefits:

 

·   In-depth training to develop expertise and understanding of what they do in their jobs, irrespective of continuing education units (CEUs) for pesticide recertification. This is especially important now as most area and regional turfgrass conferences offer educational programs that are CEU driven by pesticide license recertification requirements with the Texas Department of Agriculture or Structural Pest Control Board. While such programs benefit those needing CEU credits to maintain their license they typically miss the more in-depth and focused training opportunities that are available in the short course format. Even though it was not our main focus, the 2006 Turf Short Course qualified for 13.5 Texas Department of Agriculture CEUs (1.0 for laws & regs; 5.75 for IPM; and 6.75 general) in the 36 hours of instruction. Quality programs, like the Turfgrass Ecology and Management Short Course, that effectively train individuals and advance comprehension and learning, will always be valued and in demand.

 

·   Individuals come to positions in the turfgrass industry with little formal training. The Turf Short Course format can supply these individuals with the background they need to develop their own personal management strategies that are science based.

 

·   It can provide employees with a “large dose” of continuing education to:

o       Stay up to date on developing and changing technologies.

o       Provide employees with incentives and benefits that can affect job performance, appreciation, pay and recognition.

o       Have employees can better represent management’s philosophy

o       Positively impact job performance, employee retention, reduced need to supervise, and increase employee feed back.

o       Enable employees can become  “more professional” in actions and ability with clientele, employees and peers

o       Effectively interpret agronomic situations in a timely manner

 

• The Texas A&M University System has tremendous expertise to draw from to teach this program. The 13 faculty instructors in the short course were teaching subjects that they commonly address in their teaching, research or extension activities.

 

Information about the 2007 short course can be found on the world-wide-web (http://cecoe.tamu.edu/specialty/turfgrass/). If you would like to be placed on a mailing list to receive announcements of when we will begin to accept registrations for 2007 please fax (979-845-0604) or e-mail (DSutherland@ag.tamu.edu ) your contact information to Debbie Sutherland, stating your desire to receive short course announcements.