The heavy rain has forced us into a new location for the morning program.  We will be at Belmont Recreation Center 1600 Hilliard Road Henrico, VA 23228 for the entire day! 

VENDORS: We apologize for the inconvenience but ask that you plan for a table top display only. We will have a table and 2 chairs for you at Belmont but there will not be a place to display or demo equipment.  

ONLINE REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON 4/21 at 12 pm.  You CAN register on-site please come early to register.  ALSO come early if you will be applying for CEUs or recertification credits.

The 2017 Field Day is on April 25th and our host is Henrico County Parks and Recreation at RF and P Park.  This is a one day event that includes recertification for commercial pesticide applicators (3A, 3B, 10, and 60), 2CEUs for Certified Fertilizer Applicators and 2 CEUs for nutrient management planners.   The morning program is our field day program and includes many hands on demonstrations.  Attendees that would like recertification for CFA and NMP would need to attend the morning program.  Pesticide applicator recertification requires attending the morning program at RF and P Park and the afternoon portion at Belmont Recreation Center 1600 Hilliard Road Henrico, VA 23228. IF YOU ATTENDING FOR CEUs or RECERTIFICATION please come early to sign in!

Check-out our great topics:

A special thank you to our Dave Meyers Scholarship sponsors: SiteOne and ITAC!

Field Day and Recertification Part 1.

RF&P Park, 3400 Mountain Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060

7:30 – 8:30 AM Registration and Recertification Sign-in. Breakfast provided by Luck Ecosystems.

8:30–8:55 AM Proper Soil Sampling and Interpretation. (Sponsored by Landscape Supply Inc.)    This field demonstration will detail the practical tips for conducting a soil test and interpreting the results, the most important first step in reducing chemical and irrigation inputs in field management and improving the quality and health of the fields.  

Dr. Rory Maguire, Professor, Virginia Tech;  Bruce Adwell, Product Specialist, Landscape Supply Inc.

8:55-9:20 AM  So Many Topdressing Sources, So Little Time.  (Sponsored by Turface Athletics) A ‘hands-on’ discussion and demonstration in use of various topdressing sources that are part of a seasonal management strategy in delivering healthy, better playing sports turfs. 

Mike Goatley, Professor, Virginia Tech;  Jimmy Rogers, Certified Sports Field Manager, Product Specialist, Luck Ecosystems 

9:20 AM – 12:20 PM Small group breakout sessions (45 min each)

I.  Water Everywhere But Where You Need It!  How to Conduct an Irrigation Audit – (Sponsored by Smith Turf and Irrigation)  How to use a moisture meter in making irrigation decisions for sports field turf management will be demonstrated, as well as simple ways to conduct a basic irrigation system audit.  The discussion will also include the do’s and don’ts in irrigation management that affect the intended performance of fertilizers and pesticides and how non-target areas/organisms can be affected. 

Ted Keinast, Irrigation Specialist, Smith Turf and Irrigation;  Sam Doak, Agriculture Technology Instructor, Virginia Tech

II. Sprayer Calibration and nozzle selection.  (Sponsored by Jacobsen) Participate as a group to perform the best and most efficient methods for calibrating spray application equipment as well as PPE needed while loading and spraying.   This segment also includes a demonstration of nozzle selection effect on drift under wind simulation.  

Dr. David McCall, Assistant Professor, Virginia Tech;  Mike Goatley, Professor, Virginia Tech

III.  Weed I.D. & Annual Bluegrass Control – (Sponsored by Revels Turf and Tractor) A weed walk offering hands-on tips for identification of common and troublesome weeds in both turf and landscape bed situations and how this relates to pesticide choice, application timing, and selection.  Particular focus will be paid to Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua) due to its presence and impact in many sports turf situations. 

Dr. Shawn Askew, Associate Professor Virginia Tech

IV. Vendors

12:20-1:20 Lunch provided by Premier Sports           

Drinks provided by Growth Growth Enhancer   

Pesticide Recertification Part 2. (Sponsored by Harrell's)

Belmont Rec. Center, 1600 Hilliard Road, Henrico, VA 23228

1:45 – 2:30      Legal Update. What’s new in the way of laws regulations and /or VDACS programs and policies impacting certified applicators treating ornamental and/or turf sites in VA. Compliance issues and assistance; bee decline, neonicotinoids, bark splits & tree injury from glyphosate applications Q & A. 

David Townsend, VDACS

2:30- 3:00        Basic IPM Strategies That Can Be Used in Sports Field and Landscape Management  Integrated pest management and monitoring common pests to alleviate issues before pesticides are needed or reduce the amount of product needed to provide adequate control in both sports turf and Landscape situations.

Dr. Mike Goatley, Professor, Virginia Tech

3:00- 3:45   Laundering Pesticide-Contaminated Clothing Handling and treatment of pesticide contaminated clothing to remove pesticide contamination. 

Guy Mussey, Stafford Co, VCE

Accomodations:  Hampton Inn & Suites 1101 Technology Park Drive, Glen Allen, VA 23059 Please call 804-261-2266.  Mention VSTMA to access $91/night plus tax room rate.