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2024 SFMA Conference Education

Welcome to the Conference Education page! Here you will find presentations and handouts for education sessions occurring at SFMA’s 2024 Conference and Exhibition.

Tracks (key): Turfgrass Management (TM), Water (W), Research and Technology (RT), Professional Development/DEI (PD/DEI), Baseball (B), Synthetic (S), Pest Control (PC)

 

Monday, January 22

1:15-5 pm – Pre-Conference Education

Brush up on the Basics

Enjoy a relaxed, reception-style atmosphere where you can interact with academics for a refresher in the basics of turfgrass management.

  • Turfgrass Math 101 – Adam Thoms, Ph.D. (Iowa State University)
  • Records and Photos for Problem Solving – Leah Brilman, Ph.D. (DLF USA)
  • Pure Live Seed: Does that Even Matter – Cale Bigelow, Ph.D. (Purdue University)
  • Avoiding Herbicide Mishaps – Travis Gannon, Ph.D. (North Carolina State University)
  • Pesticide Application Errors/Drift Management – Chrissie Segars, Ph.D. (PBI Gordon Corporation)
  • Fertilizer 101 – AJ Lindsey, Ph.D. (University of Florida)
  • Irrigation Basics – Marco Schiavon, Ph.D. (University of Florida)

 

Tuesday, January 23

8-9:30 am – General Session 

Expert Baseball Panel: Player Perspectives, Special Events, Rule Changes, and More!

We have assembled a panel of experts bringing many years of experience and expertise in this area. The panel will discuss how baseball has changed over the years, insight into player perspective, workplace challenges and where it is headed in the future for the sports field manager.

  • Phil Bradley was a Major League Baseball player for the Mariners, Phillies, Orioles and White Sox. He was an American League All-Star in 1985 and spent a season with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan before retiring in 1991. He currently serves as a special assistant for international and domestic player operations.
  • Ryan Woodley – Senior Director of Grounds, Milwaukee Brewers
  • Matt Brown – Director of Field Operations, Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Dan Kiermaier – Head Groundkeeper, Chicago Cubs

 

9:45-10:45 am – Conference Education

(B) Starting from Scratch: Complete MiLB Field Renovation

Keith Winter-Head Groundskeeper, Fort Wayne TinCaps

With Major League Baseball (MLB) requiring a field audit of all 120 Professional Development License (PDL) minor league teams, fields that do not meet the established criteria must come into compliance by the 2025 season. Parkview Field, home of the Fort Wayne TinCaps, Class A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, undertook a complete renovation in the fall of 2023 to meet all future requirements.

Learning Outcomes:

  • A comprehensive study, which involved testing and analysis of field grading, drainage, and materials, preceded recommendations to fix the problems.
  • Public bids and contractor selection with detailed specifications paved the way for the best possible outcome, which is a state-of-the-art field for the long-term of MiLB baseball at Parkview Field.
  • What do quality control protocols and due diligence look like in a hands on approach as a sports field manager.

(TM) Parks and Recreation: Situations Encountered in a Municipal Setting

Derek Hollanitsch – Maintenance Crew Leader, City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department

The presentation will highlight situations encountered in facility maintenance. This will include videos and pictures with narration related to challenges hosting a large-scale event. The attendees will see the before, during, and aftereffects of the event.

Attendees will learn about the following:

  • Challenges related to maintaining facilities in a Northern climate.
  • Showing how proper maintenance techniques can ensure safe playing surfaces.
  • Importance of providing equitable recreational opportunities for a diverse community.

(PD/DEI) Embracing Diversity in Sports Turf Management: Why it Matters

Alpha Jones, CSFM – Director of Field Operations, Fayetteville Woodpeckers
Maritza Martinez – Associate Director of Grounds, St Louis City SC

Turfgrass management is a critical aspect of maintaining safe, healthy, and aesthetically pleasing sports fields, however, the industry has struggled with diversity and inclusivity, with many positions being filled by individuals from similar backgrounds and experiences. This presentation proposes that diverse hiring in sports turf management, including improved decision-making, creativity and problem-solving, will assist in solving the challenges that exist in the sports turf industry. The presentation will also highlight successful diversity initiatives and best practices that can be implemented by sports turf managers to improve diversity and equity in their workplaces, from first-hand experiences.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Diverse hiring in sports turf management can lead to numerous benefits, including improved decision-making, creativity, and problem-solving, as well as better communication, understanding, and relationships with athletes, coaches, and fans.
  • Ways to achieve diversity in both sports turf management and the attendee’s perspective companies by combating challenges and barriers that must be overcome. Topics such as the lack of representation in the industry, the difficulty of entering the field, and unconscious biases in the hiring processes will be discussed and will be taught on how to overcome these barriers.
  • Ways to successfully find diversity initiatives that have been implemented, such as creating training programs and internships for underrepresented groups and implementing diversity and inclusion training for staff.

(RT) Quantifying How Natural Grass Sequesters Carbon

Scott Bills, CSFM – President, Sports Fields Solutions LLC/Project EverGreen
Cindy Code – Executive Director, Project EverGreen

This presentation will introduce the “Clean Air Calculator” to sports field managers and explain how it can be used to quantify how natural grass sequesters carbon. The tool will help the sports field manager advocate for the need to responsibly manage natural grass and green spaces.

Attendees will learn about the following:

  • The science behind the Clean Air Calculator.
  • How the sports field manager can apply the Clean Air Calculator’s findings.
  • How to communicate the findings to further advocate for the proper management of public and private green spaces.

(RT) Optimizing Rootzone Conditions: Warmed Air, Air Consistency and Pipe Technology

Mark Heinlein, MSc, CFB – Director of Technical Projects and Research, Motz
Amy Fouty, CSFM – Field Consultant, Motz

While we can’t control Mother Nature, we can establish an environment where a natural grass rootzone can flourish. By using cutting-edge technology below the surface, focused on consistent, temperature-controlled air and moisture levels through an intricate pipe matrix, you can manage the system underground to produce an optimal playing surface.

Session objectives:

  • Discuss how forced air systems have evolved over time to enhance field performance and optimize playing conditions.
  • Convey the purpose and key benefits of natural grass vacuum/ventilation (forced air) sports field systems as well as soil warming technology.
  • Explain how Vac/Vent/soil warming systems benefit the natural grass playing surface by maximizing the ability to maintain consistent soil temperatures and soil moisture levels to accomplish your desired goals.

(TM) Soil Testing Interpretation and Application

Travis Shaddox, Ph.D. – President, Bluegrass Art and Science, LLC

Soil testing is a common management practice used by sports field managers. However, understanding and applying soil test results continues to be a challenge. In this presentation, we will discuss the various soil testing methods, explain why one test does not fit-all, and explain which test is most appropriate for your course. We will walk through several soil tests and explain step-by-step which variables are useful and which are not. We will walk through an actual soil test interpretation report, and we will explain in detail how these results should or should not be applied to your nutrition program.

Session objectives:

  • Attendees will better understand why, when, and how they should soil test.
  • Attendees will better understand which soil tests they should use and which they should avoid.
  • Attendees will better understand which soil test components they should use and which they should ignore.

 

11 am-12 pm – Conference Education

(TM) Practical Applications for Testing in Turfgrass Systems

Kyle Foreman – Consultant, FGS Consulting

This presentation will offer information on how to generate practical and actionable data using various testing methods for turfgrass. Attendees will learn valuable procedures to generate site-specific data to improve decision making in management practices.

Attendees will:

  • Gain a new perspective on how site-specific testing can help improve management decisions over time.
  • Learn of the importance of proper sampling practices to produce valuable data.
  • Learn at least three new things about evaluating testing reports.

(W) Turfgrass Irrigation: Water Quality, Quantity, and Lack of Thereof

Marco Schiavon, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor in the Environmental Horticulture Department, University of Florida

Irrigation is the single most important maintenance practice to keep turfgrass alive. However, with water restrictions being progressively enforced and rising water costs, sufficient irrigation may not be available. Strategies that will be covered include the use of alternative sources to potable water, deficit irrigation, wetting agents and sufficient nitrogen fertilization.

Presentation Objectives:

  • Learning appropriate crop coefficient for each species depending on the environment.
  • Learning options available on the wetting agent market.
  • Learning proper fertilization practices for drought stressed turf.

(RT) New Approaches for Testing Sports Field Safety and Performance

Gerald Henry, Ph.D. – Athletic Association Endowed Professor of Environmental Turfgrass Science, University of Georgia
Erick Begitschke – Second year Ph.D. student, University of Georgia

Safety and performance are at the forefront of sports field management. Previous performance testing methods have relied on hand-held sensors to describe field characteristics like surface hardness, soil compaction, and traction. New research has aimed at utilizing athletes with wearable sensors to more accurately describe “real-time” interactions between players and field attributes both in the lab and in the field.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand the basic premise of performance testing, its application, and potential benefits to athletic field management.
  • Comprehend the influence that turfgrass (traction, cover, etc.) and soil (surface hardness, compaction, soil moisture, etc.) characteristics have on field playability and player safety.
  • Become familiar with current athlete-surface interaction research (motion capture systems, wearable sensors, etc.) and the implications it may have on player safety and field maintenance.

(RT) SmartTeam Project: Unlocking Secrets Behind Athlete Performance and Safety

Thayne Munce, Ph.D., FACSM – Assistant Scientist / Manager in the Environmental Influences on Health & Disease Group and Director of the Athletic Health and Performance Lab, Sanford Research

This presentation will introduce the audience to the SmartTeam Project by discussing program objectives and key milestones. The central goal of the SmartTeam Project is to provide key insights through athlete monitoring, analytics and surface testing that optimize total athlete performance and safety, giving our partners a competitive edge.

Presentation Objectives:

  • Describe the SmartTeam Project.
  • Give examples of key performance and safety indicators the SmartTeam Project is measuring.
  • Explain how the SmartTeam Project provides meaningful and actionable information to its partners.

(TM) Sustainability in Turfgrass Management

Crystal Rose-Fricker – President, Pure Seed, Pure-Seed Testing Inc. and Pure Valley Solutions

This presentation will discuss the pathway of seed to the sports field and how everyone is doing their part to be sustainable: breeders, farmers, distributors, & sports turf managers.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Educate through telling YOUR story: a personal story resonates with people and will get the point across better.
  • We need to engage, encourage, educate, and empower each other to show all our work as an industry on sustainability.
  • Sustainability is a moving target: we can’t become complacent and all need to continue pushing to become more sustainable every year.

(PD/DEI) Athletic Administration: Learning to Speak Their Language

Marc Moran, CSFM – Agriculture/Horticulture Instructor, Atlee High School
Dave Kannewurf – Retired, former Director of Student Activities, Atlee High School

The dynamics of working with administration can be challenging, especially if your goals do not align. This presentation will discuss this dynamic and how to effectively build a relationship to achieve cohesion and reach the goal.

After attending this presentation, the attendee will be able to:

  • Establish a trusting relationship with their athletic administration.
  • Develop a set of goals where both parties benefit.
  • Create a plan that addresses potential problems, both long and short term.

 

12-2 pm – F.I.E.L.D. Forum Luncheon (Formerly the Women’s Forum)

(PD/DEI) Inclusion on the Turf: Fostering Space Where All Can Grow

Brandon Bell, M.Ed. – Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Lead, Syngenta North America

When people think of sport, we often overlook the unifying, galvanizing and engaging power athletics can have. Coupled with the practice of equity, diversity and inclusion leaders across functions in the industry of sport have an incredible opportunity to leverage ED&I for business success and build stronger communities. Join us for an engaging dialogue where you can dive into ED&I, explore best practices and work force development and begin to explore how you can contribute to a more vibrant community.

By participating in this session attendees will:

  • Acquire a foundational understanding of DEI
  • Better understand how DEI practices support and advance workforce development
  • Discover how ED&I and sport can build stronger communities

 

2-3:15 pm – Conference Education

(TM) Sustainable Turfgrass Management for Municipalities and ISD’s

Phil Lozano, MCPTM – Director of Parks and Recreation, The City of Highland Village

This session will address challenges with building and funding a sustainable program and the resources needed. Session topics include communicating with stakeholders, how to tell your story, plan and program development, staffing and equipment needs and establishing non-negotiables and expectations with maintenance and construction of a new field.

Participants will learn:

  • How to build a sustainable program.
  • How to communicate with stakeholders.
  • How to budget a building process.

(PD/DEI) Let’s Talk About Mental Health

Lisa Goatley, MS, LPC – Licensed Professional Counselor, Private Practice
Jason Bowers, CSFM – Sports Turf Supervisor, Montgomery Parks
Willis Coulson – Teacher, Coach, Field Manager, Georgia Christian School

Mental health issues cost the global economy $1 trillion annually in lost productivity, absenteeism, and staff turnover (HelpGuide). Addressing and improving mental health has become a priority topic in today’s workplace and in society in general. This presentation will address how to identify mental health issues, strategies to improve mental health, outline the benefits of improved mental health in the workplace and in our personal lives, and provide a forum for an open dialogue about the role of mental health in the sports field management industry. You will hear from a Licensed Professional Counselor and two sports field managers as they share their personal experiences in addressing mental health issues. An extended period for questions and answers will be offered.

Presentation objectives:

  • Attendees will learn the signs and symptoms of mental health issues.
  • Attendees will be presented with specific strategies to improve mental health.
  • Attendees will have an opportunity to engage in an open dialogue about mental health in the sports field industry and hear from two sports field managers who have personal experience in managing mental health issues successfully.

(TM) Soils 201: Athletic Field Soils and How to Manage Them

Cale Bigelow, Ph.D. – Professor specializing in Turf Science and Ecology in the Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Department, Purdue University
Barry Stewart, Ph.D. – Professor of Agronomy, Mississippi State University

This presentation will give an overview of the key physical, chemical and biological properties affecting soils for natural grass athletic fields.

Attendees will:

  • Learn the key physical properties to evaluate and monitor to maintain healthy turf.
  • Identify key chemical properties affecting soil and turf health and calculating potential needs.
  • Be familiar with the biological properties in sports field soil.

(B) Back to Basics: Infield Edging and Renovation

Trevor Warner – Assistant Supervisor of Sports Fields, City of Woodstock

This presentation will refresh your memory on the “how-to” when edging baseball fields. If you have a renovation project in the future, join Trevor and learn how infield renovations, bullpen renovations, mound and Homeplate renovations can be accomplished in-house.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Proper layout of baseball fields for edging, mound rubbers, and home plates.
  • Different techniques for edging and cleaning edges.
  • Tried and true practices of renovating infields, mounds, bullpens, and home plates.

(RT) Hybrid Systems and Hybrid Pitches

Ryan Bearss – Ph.D. Candidate, Michigan State University
Jackie Guevara – Ph.D. Candidate, Michigan State University

This presentation will compare hybrid systems and hybrid pitches and give an overview of the history and progression of each. The current available hybrid options will be discussed in detail.

Presentation objectives:

  • Learn about the history of hybrid pitches.
  • Learn about today’s hybrid options.
  • How are these systems similar? How are they different?

(RT) Back to Basics: Understanding Weather Concepts and Making Weather-Based Decisions

Brad Jakubowski, MS, CIT – Professor, Penn State University
Matt Neri – Sports Turf Manager, State College Spikes

This interactive seminar will help sports field managers to understand basic meteorological concepts and usefully apply them to their own situations when trying to make the best day-to-day management decisions possible. They will learn how to maximize labor and resources and how to handle the stress of impending weather on game-time decisions.

Learning Outcomes:

  • To identify and utilize critical weather information impacting their facility.
  • To maximize labor and resources by learning how to schedule projects and daily work.
  • Learn how to handle the stress of making game-time decisions based on impending weather impacting games at that moment.

 

3:30-5pm – Conference Education

(TM) Prevention Beats Intervention in Sports Field Management

Mike Goatley, Ph.D. – Turfgrass Specialist, Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Jim Puhalla – Sports Field Consultant, Natural Grass Sports Fields

We will detail the situations in sports field design and construction that simply MUST be done properly, and if they are currently limiting at your facility, how to fix them. We will present plenty of pictures and designs of the mistakes, the preferred methods of design and installation, and the steps and strategies to rectify previous mistakes.

Presentation Objectives:

  • Learn about the most important concepts in initial field design components, including surface and subsurface drainage, irrigation, soil selection and modification, and grassing options.
  • Learn about the importance of developing specifications that meet budgetary restrictions in construction AND maintenance.

(PC) Basamid for Athletic Field Renovations

Travis Gannon, Ph.D. – Professor, North Carolina State University
Fred Yelverton, Ph.D. – Professor, North Carolina State University

Athletic field renovations are very labor-intensive and require significant resource allocation to ensure they are successful. Adequately controlling the existing turf species is the first and arguably the most critical step in a renovation requiring nonselective herbicides and/or fumigants. Basamid is a granular soil fumigant that reacts with water to produce a gas that controls various fungi, insects, nematodes, and weeds.

Attendees will learn:

  • How Basamid fits into renovation programs.
  • Different application techniques for optimum efficacy.
  • Other related issues around herbicides and fumigants used for athletic field renovations.

(PD/DEI) Common Pitfalls to Avoid During Field Construction Projects

Michael Boekholder – President, Boekholder & Associates
Chris McGill – Director of Operations SE Region, SCG Fields, LLC
Jamie Mehringer – Senior Executive Advisor, Advanced Turf Solutions

This presentation will cover identifying and avoiding common pitfalls when planning and executing a construction project to achieve successful outcomes. Learn the most common issues projects tend to have, how to avoid them, and how to best work with a project team. Learn to become part of the construction team, not an outsider!

Learning Outcomes:

  • How to successfully work with architects and designers to get the field YOU want.
  • Identify common problem areas on projects and how to avoid them.
  • Learn how to make yourself part of the construction team, not an outsider looking in on your own job.

(S) Synthetic Baseball Infields: Research and Real Game Impacts

Kyley Dickson, Ph.D. – Associate Director for the Center for Athletic Field Safety, University of Tennessee
Jody Gill, CSFM – Facilities Superintendent, PBR Tournaments Midwest
Kennie Holmes – Facilities Superintendent, PBR Tournaments Midwest

The presentation will cover the basis of research of synthetic turf and how it impacts the performance of the surface. Attendees will learn how high-level baseball play on synthetic baseball surfaces can impact the safety and longevity of the surface and the importance of quality and consistent maintenance. Actual game data and impacts of high-level baseball played over multiple days in a high-end tournament baseball complex will be discussed and illustrated. In addition, a college baseball umpire will provide a unique perspective of how the maintenance level of synthetic baseball infields impacts the game.

Attendees will learn:

  • What the research shows about the importance of proper and consistent maintenance on all synthetic turf surfaces.
  • How does heavy use impact the safety and longevity of synthetic baseball infields.
  • Strategies to improve synthetic surface performance, safety and longevity through proper maintenance and condition evaluation.

(TM) What’s New in Bermudagrass Winter Overseeding

Cale Bigelow, Ph.D. – Professor, Turf Science and Ecology in the Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Department, Purdue University
Jada Powlen, Ph.D. – Turfgrass Research Associate, Purdue University

This presentation will provide a rapid overview of trends, tips and tricks for bermudagrass winter overseeding.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Why do turfgrass managers overseed?
  • What’s new in winter overseeding species and establishment methods?
  • What are the key considerations when transitioning out of the overseeding?

(W) Total Toolbox Troubleshooting for Irrigation: Sights, Sounds, Shovels and Circuits!

Brad Jakubowski, MS, CIT – Professor, Penn State University
Matt Neri – Sports Turf Manager, State College Spikes

How many of you have been stuck in a muddy hole trying to put things together when you realize the part doesn’t fit or is just the wrong part? Or a portion of your system simply won’t operate? In this hands-on and interactive workshop, attendees will learn the fundamentals of troubleshooting an irrigation system before and after we start digging! You are also encouraged to bring your own scenarios we can discuss in an open forum!

Learning Outcomes:

  • The fundamentals of troubleshooting an irrigation system before and after they start digging!
  • The fundamentals of irrigation fittings and parts and how to best utilize them.
  • To use multimeters to identify electrical problems with controllers, solenoids, and wiring to minimize system down time.

 

 Wednesday, January 24

8-9:15 am – Conference Education

(TM) The ABCs of PGRs for Turfgrass

Aaron Hathaway – Technical Services Manager, NuFarm

Regulating excess vertical turf growth with plant growth regulators (PGRs) can reduce inputs like mowing while increasing overall plant health and quality. However, some growth is necessary. Available PGRs will be explained, and different use patterns presented so managers can be more prepared to achieve just enough growth.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand the different PGRs available, how they are similar, and how they are different from each other.
  • Implement plans to effectively maintain even growth regulation when desired, using calculated reapplication intervals and different rates, to reduce other inputs, increase quality, and maintain a safe and effective playing surface.
  • Be prepared to use PGRs effectively to reduce grassy weeds such as annual bluegrass and suppress seedheads when and where desired.

(PD/DEI) Organizational Shift – Changing the Culture of a Workplace

Eric Harshman, CGM – Turfgrass Manager
Josh Koss, CSFM – Sales Agronomist, Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness

New to a role where you are responsible for a culture change, or feel like a culture change is needed with your team? Hear from two seasoned managers on their successes and failures in changing cultures with large grounds maintenance teams. Even if you are a role player on a team, you can impact culture change.

Attendees will take home:

  • Strategies used by other managers to gain credibility and impact culture change.
  • Everyone has a role in culture change – from upper management to the everyday role player.
  • Knowing, listening and learning from your team will bring your organization to new heights with time, patience and perseverance.

(B) Rejuvenating Your Baseball Field for a New Season

Paul Cushing – Agronomist/Owner, Paul Cushing Sports Turf Agronomic Consulting Services

The presentation on “Rejuvenating Your Baseball Field for a New Season” will provide Sports Field Managers and attendees with a comprehensive blueprint from A-Z on how to how to make improvements and prepare a baseball field for a new season. Topics to be discussed will be turfgrass selection and management, soil testing, understanding & balancing soil chemistry, aerification & cultural practices, proper mowing height of cut, mound preparation, irrigation strategies, preparing infield dirt as well as many other helpful “tools of the trade” to manage a baseball field for a season.

Attendees will learn:

  • Comprehensive understanding of turfgrass management from turf types, proper height of cut, frequency of mowing and soil fertility practices.
  • Dirt strategies: batter’s box preparation, mound management.
  • Infield dirt practices and moisture management programs.

(TM) Potentially Reduce Fertilizer and Irrigation Inputs on Athletic Fields

AJ Lindsey, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida

Sustainable and environmentally friendly management practices have garnered much interest within the turfgrass industry and the general public. Additionally, fertilizer and irrigation restrictions also have the potential to change and dictate management practices. This presentation covers some of the recent research trials conducted with soil amendments and alternative fertilizers. It will also explore how these can be incorporated into management practices to reduce overall fertilizer and irrigation use, and potential nutrient losses on athletic fields.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Soil amendments have the potential to improve soil quality and reduce inputs.
  • Humic containing fertilizers with reduced nitrogen rates maintain turfgrass quality and cover compared to higher nitrogen rates.
  • Alternative (natural, organic) fertilizers are an effective and sustainable fertilizer source that provides adequate turfgrass quality.

(PD/DEI) Visibility Matters: How Branding Can Impact Your Crew, Career & Community

Meg Kruger – Content Marketing Lead, Pioneer Athletics

Dive into how authenticity, consistency and Turf Twitter can elevate your career while simultaneously making a positive impact on your crew and the industry. Discover how branding and social media can help you recruit new employees, justify costs, and labor and build a portfolio of your skills.

Attendees will learn:

  • Social Media recruiting for sports field managers.
  • How to build a personal and crew portfolio using social media and branding.
  • How to earn yourself a seat at the table with social media and branding.

(TM) Pushing the Limits: Sprigging Bermudagrass North of Chicago

Zach Simons – Director of Grounds and Sports Turf, Northwestern University

This presentation will explain the issues faced with cool season football fields, go through the options they had to repair the field, then explain why they chose to use bermudagrass. Zach will go through sprigging process and how the field performed in season compared to our cool season field. He will also show weather data used to convince using sprigging bermudagrass that would work at his location.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Problem Solving: Using a creative idea to solve a problem.
  • Warm Season grass establishment and management in a cool season zone.
  • Communication: Explain the issue to your supervisor and explain what options can be done to solve that problem.

 

9:30-10:45 am – Conference Education

(TM) You Want to Put What on the Field?

Rob Sikma – Groundskeeper, LA Memorial Coliseum

Learn about the process and the impact/outcome of having a NASCAR racetrack built on top of the playing surface at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Also, learn about the management practices we have employed for maintaining our field through a wide array of events, both in and out of USC football season.

Attendees will learn:

  • Strategies and practices implemented to maintain a functional and profitable playing surface in the face of an ever-increasing event load.
  • How many of the challenges and issues we deal with for major events are relevant to most people working in our industry, not just those working in major stadiums.
  • For those who don’t work in a stadium or other large venue, it will provide a “view behind the curtain” as to what all goes into turning a football field into an asphalt racetrack and back again in just under 3 months.

(PD/DEI) Learning by Failing

Kevin Mercer, CSFM, CGM, LICM – Landscape and Grounds Manager, Denison University

All sorts of tasks become easier — and faster — through teamwork. Working together enables us to be consistent and build trust while working with your team towards goals. But what is teamwork, and how you can encourage a collaborative atmosphere in the workplace? A book written by Patrick M. Lencioni “The Ideal Team Player” has three principles that will work for any team if applied correctly. I am excited to show you with great success using three key words which are being smart, humble and being driven. These three things have helped me establish myself by having the best grounds team in the business. I look forward to sharing my success story with you all.

Participants attending this presentation, will learn:

  • Maintaining employee retention.
  • Employee motivation.
  • Employee production.

(TM) Fixing Florida’s Largest Sports Field System- A Cinderella Story

Greg Brown – Parks and Athletic Services Manager, Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation

Hear the story of what it takes to transition Florida’s largest sports field system from 50 years of league control and field care to all County care. In the last 4 years, Hillsborough County has sodded over 180 of its 291 fields to raise the standard of care on all fields to Celebration Bermuda while converting ten fields to synthetic turf, along with a host of other systematic improvements.

Presentation objectives:

  • Learn how to balance an unprecedented amount of field renovations with the league use needs of 40,000 youth each night.
  • Learn the perfect storm that set the stage to provide for County care and improve the standard of field care.
  • Hear about lessons learned during the transition and how it is all cared for today.

(PC) Keeping Tools in the Toolbox: How to Talk about Pesticides

Megan Provost – President of RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)

As a professional managing green spaces for the recreational use of the public, or for collegiate or professional sports teams, you know why you use the products that you use. But how do you talk about pesticides with people that might not know? Join RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) to learn about the public’s perception of pesticides, and how to talk about specialty pesticides! We’ll cover how to begin the conversation and frame your message to tell your story in a way that resonates.

Three main things attendees will take away from this class:

  • How the public perceives pesticides and how SFMA members can utilize those findings.
  • How to lead with benefits and other key messages when talking about pesticides, and how SFMA members can use communication techniques like blocking and bridging to steer the conversation.
  • Legislative issues that could impact SFMA members’ access to products.

(PC) The Pesticide Timeline: From Lab to Shelf

Chrissie Segars, Ph.D. – Research Scientist, PBI/Gordon Corporation
Dale Sanson, Ph.D. – Research Scientist, PBI/Gordon Corporation

Presenters will provide an un-biased, in-depth discussion on the timeline of pesticide commercialization. The presentation will include insights into the process of acquiring or sourcing new active ingredients, the formulation process, lab and field research, and the final registration process. This will be an interactive presentation where the audience will be polled with pesticide timeline questions and asked about their experiences with formulations, regulations, etc.

Presentation objectives:

  • Attendees will learn the timeline it takes to bring a new product to market.
  • Attendees will learn the formulation process and see in-depth examples of what happens in the lab, as well as differences between formulations.
  • Attendees will learn the basics of federal and state regulatory rules. Why are products not registered in all states? How tough is it to get a pesticide registered?

(TM) Using a Robotic Mower on a High-Level Professional Field

Wes Ganobcik – Field Source

This presentation will provide an honest assessment of using a robot mower on a high level professional athletic Field. Benefits, as well as struggles will be discussed.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Attendees should expect to learn about the benefits of using the robotic mower.
  • They should also expect to learn about challenges with the new technology, and how one may try to overcome those.
  • Finally, they should expect to learn about the impact on the budget and work schedule.

 

11 am-12 pm – Keynote

Beyond the Field: Utilizing History, Technology and Mentorship to Define the Future of Sports Field Management

Mike Goatley, Ph.D. – Turfgrass Specialist, Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Chad Price, CSFM, CFB – President, Carolina Green Corp.
Abby McNeal, CSFM, CPRP – Parks Superintendent, City of Louisville
Leah Withrow – Head Groundskeeper, Reno Aces
Travis Hogan – Head Groundskeeper, Kansas City Chiefs

This presentation includes an expert panel with diverse experiences to highlight the importance of understanding how historical aspects, new technology and mentorship can shape the landscape of sports field management, taking it above and beyond.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Understanding the history of the industry
  • Gaining knowledge on new technologies and its effects
  • Learning the benefits of participating in a mentorship program

 

Thursday, January 25

8-10 am – Conference Education

(PD/DEI) Panel Discussion: Why Schools Should Invest in Athletic Fields: A CFO’s Perspective

Barry Gardner – Director of School Services, Policy Analytics LLC
Jamie Mehringer – Senior Executive Advisor, Advanced Turf Solutions

This presentation will walk though diagrams to discuss how Wayne Township School District was in a position for athletic field improvements. Barry Gardner, CFO, will illustrate how the district formed a plan for renovations, maintenance improvements, staffing improvements, and future plans for facility and equipment maintenance and replacement. Lastly, a discussion on how forms of school funding was used to finance this project.

Learning Outcomes:

  • How school officials can view, plan and pay for playing surface renovations.
  • Data that can be collected to support projects.
  • How to take a district from being re-active to pro-active when it comes to sports turf surface maintenance.

(TM) Panel Discussion: Ballfields on a Budget: Get More Bling for Less Cha-Ching!

Travis Shaddox, Ph.D. – President, Bluegrass Art and Science, LLC
Ryan DeMay, CSFM – Founder, Field Source

The prices of everything seems to be skyrocketing these days, yet our fields still need to be maintained at levels that make them look good and are also safe for athletes. This presentation will focus on the practices that are critical for healthy turfgrass and discuss other practices that may be reduced based on labor and budget. We will cover PGRs and biostimulants and debate if they have a role in a limited budget sports field. We will dig into soils and talk about how the importance of soil testing may be changing and what this means to you in terms of your fertility budget. We will also break down fertilizer blending to help sports field managers create a nutrient program that can save them considerable money. Finally, we will discuss newer products and practices that may help to reduce the need for traditional applications.

Attendees will:

  • Learn how to create custom fertilizer blends.
  • Understand the basic needs of the plant that are non-negotiable, regardless of budget.
  • Recognize new technologies that can save you money.

(TM) Panel Discussion: Hybrid Turf and What the Data Tells Us

Kieran O’Donnell – Director, Sports Labs North America
John Sorochan, Ph.D. – Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management in the Plant Sciences Department, University of Tennessee
Kyley Dickson, Ph.D. – Associate Director for the Center for Athletic Field Safety, University of Tennessee
Ian Craig – UEFA Pitch Expert, Champions League Final

A panel discussion on hybrid turf and what the research/testing data is telling us. The panel will discuss research, testing results, trends, carpet hybrid vs stitched hybrid and feedback from international events. This deeper insight into hybrid turf will give the audience a better understanding of Hybrid turf and the way the turf system differs from a normal turf field. When is hybrid turf a good option for a venue and what events may require hybrid turf.

Learning Outcomes:

  • How hybrid turf differs from a normal field
  • A better understanding of how hybrid turf performs from a data perspective
  • The role hybrid can play for a venue for elite sporting events

(S) Panel Discussion: Synthetic Turf Expert Panel

Jason DeMink, CSFM – Sports Turf Specialist, University of Michigan Athletic Department
Cody Gustafson – Field Service Specialist, FieldTurf
Ryan Hillert – Project Manager for Synthetic Turf Care, NYC Parks
Wade Radde – Grounds Foreman, Wayzata Public Schools

Panel discussion on fixing, maintaining, and repairing synthetic turf at different levels and different budgets. Presenters will include specialists at the K-12, community, collegiate, and professional levels.

Attendees will gain a better knowledge of:

  • Synthetic turf maintenance.
  • Repairs.
  • Daily use.

(PD/DEI) Panel Discussion: Future of Sports Field Management

Drew Miller – Program Director, Brentsville Turfgrass Management Program
Leah Withrow – Head Groundskeeper, Reno Aces
Ryan Bjorn – Field Superintendent, Gillette Stadium

This Panel will be discussing how to recruit, retain, and grow the next generation of Sports Field Managers. Each panelist has a unique viewpoint from high school student to tenured NFL Groundskeeper. There are many different tools and strategies taught to bring back to improve your crew.

Presentation objectives:

  • Understand what the next generation wants and is looking for when entering the Sports Field Industry.
  • Take away new strategies focused on the use of social media to recruit and retain the next generation of sports field managers.
  • Understand how critical it is to develop a culture where individuals want to be a part of something bigger and have a large impact on their community.

 

1:30-3 pm          Conference Education (Repeat Sessions)

(TM) Parks and Recreation: Situations Encountered in a Municipal Setting

Derek Hollanitsch – Maintenance Crew Leader, City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department

The presentation will highlight situations encountered in facility maintenance. This will include videos and pictures with narration related to challenges hosting a large-scale event. The attendees will see the before, during, and aftereffects of the event.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Challenges related to maintaining facilities in a Northern climate.
  • Showing how proper maintenance techniques can ensure safe playing surfaces.
  • Importance of providing equitable recreational opportunities for a diverse community.

(PC) Keeping Tools in the Toolbox: How to Talk about Pesticides

Megan Provost – President of RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)

As a professional managing green spaces for the recreational use of the public, or for collegiate or professional sports teams, you know why you use the products that you use. But how do you talk about pesticides with people that might not know? Join RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) to learn about the public’s perception of pesticides, and how to talk about specialty pesticides! We’ll cover how to begin the conversation and frame your message to tell your story in a way that resonates.

Three main things attendees will take away from this class:

  • How the public perceives pesticides and how SFMA members can utilize those findings.
  • How to lead with benefits and other key messages when talking about pesticides, and how SFMA members can use communication techniques like blocking and bridging to steer the conversation.
  • Legislative issues that could impact SFMA members’ access to products.

(PD/DEI) Let’s Talk About Mental Health

Lisa Goatley, MS, LPC – Licensed Professional Counselor, Private Practice
Jason Bowers, CSFM – Sports Turf Supervisor, Montgomery Parks
Willis Coulson – Teacher, Coach, Field Manager, Georgia Christian School

Mental health issues cost the global economy $1 trillion annually in lost productivity, absenteeism, and staff turnover (HelpGuide). Addressing and improving mental health has become a priority topic in today’s workplace and in society in general. This presentation will address how to identify mental health issues, strategies to improve mental health, outline the benefits of improved mental health in the workplace and in our personal lives, and provide a forum for an open dialogue about the role of mental health in the sports field management industry. You will hear from a Licensed Professional Counselor and two sports field managers as they share their personal experiences in addressing mental health issues. An extended period for questions and answers will be offered.

Presentation objectives:

  • Attendees will learn the signs and symptoms of mental health issues.
  • Attendees will be presented with specific strategies to improve mental health.
  • Attendees will have an opportunity to engage in an open dialogue about mental health in the sports field industry and hear from two sports field managers who have personal experience in managing mental health issues successfully.

 

3:15-4:15 pm          Chapter Leadership Training

Jason Bowers, CSFM – Sports Turf Manager, Montgomery Parks

All SFMA chapter board members and executive leaders are invited to attend this panel discussion chapter leadership / management models, including the challenges they face, and how they have overcome obstacles.

 

Post Conference Virtual Education

Week 1 – Tuesday, January 30

2-3 pm ET

(TM) Using NTEP Data to Select Turfgrass Varieties for Sports Fields

Geoffrey Rinehart – Lecturer, University of Maryland

This presentation will include an overview of how improved turfgrass varieties are critical to a sound management program and will include an overview of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program, the process for evaluating turfgrass cultivars, and steps on how to use NTEP’s website and database to select improved turfgrass varieties for athletic fields.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Attendees will receive a greater appreciation for the scientific process of evaluating turfgrass varieties for practitioner use.
  • Attendees will learn the practical basics of using National Turfgrass Evaluation Program data sets to select cultivars based upon a sports field manager’s regional conditions.
  • Attendees will be introduced to the NTEP Turfgrass Trial Explorer tool via demonstration and learn how this can help facilitate the sports turf manager in turfgrass variety selection and analysis.

3:15-4:15 pm ET

(TM) Turfgrass 101: Focusing on the Basics

Greg Munshaw, Ph.D. – Director of Agronomy for PARC Research and Consulting

What is photosynthesis and why should I care about it? What happens to plants when I fertilize? Why am I getting so much thatch on my field? Sport field managers have a lot going on but sometimes don’t always understand why certain practices are necessary or what happens in the plant or soil when we do certain things. This presentation will break down how plants function, why various maintenance practices are necessary, and how season can affect everything. Understanding how plants function is critical to knowing how to manage them. From germination through plant maturity, I’ll discuss what is going on in the plant. I will break down seasonal variation in growth habits to identify optimum timing of various maintenance practices. The impact that specific practices such as fertilizing, watering, and mowing have on turfgrass will be discussed. I will also explain how maintenance practices affect plant health and how this in turn influences pest pressure.

Attendees will:

  • Gain an understanding of plant growth and development.
  • Appreciate how their management decisions impact plant growth and how this affects disease, insect and weed pressure.
  • Understand the comprehensive plan for best management practices throughout the seasons.

 

Week 2 – Tuesday, February 6

2-3 pm ET

(PD/DEI) Sports Turf Managers and Government Relations

Jason Bowers, CSFM – Sports Turf Manager, Montgomery Parks
Patrick Coakley, CSFM – Business Development Mid-Atlantic, DuraEdge Products

This presentation will discuss the process of helping to create the BMP books and the next step of hiring a lobbyist and our continuing work to keep SFM relevant in Government relations.

Attendees will learn:

  • The importance of a BMP.
  • The continuation of up keeping the BMP and using it for educating superiors and politicians.
  • The importance of getting involved in local government and having a “seat at the table”.

3:15-4:15 pm

(W) Take the Million Gallon Challenge!

Brad Jakubowski, MS, CIT – Professor, Penn State University

Water efficiency is important no matter the source or method of use! This seminar challenges turf managers to conserve one million gallons or more throughout the course of a season by improving irrigation efficiency and by implementing various outdoor and indoor water saving practices throughout the entire facility. In addition to reducing costs, saving one million gallons promotes environmental stewardship and enhances public relations with a water conscious public. Be a standout Sports Turf Manager; take on the Million Gallon Challenge today!

Learning Outcomes:

  • Identify and monitor a facility’s water use areas.
  • Increase irrigation efficiency of turfgrass and landscape areas and implement water saving practices throughout the facility.
  • Improve their stock as a turfgrass manager by reducing costs and improving public perception.

 

Week 3 – Tuesday, February 13

2-3 pm

(TM) Fraise Mowing – Uses, Effects and Recovery

Raymond McCauley, Ph.D.

Fraise mowing is an aggressive cultural practice that is not for the faint of heart. This presentation will prime field managers for fraise mowing and will cover fraise mowing’s uses, effects, and recovery.

Learning objectives:

  • The what, when, where, and how of fraise mowing will be covered.
  • Fraise mowing’s positive and negative effects will be presented.
  • How to hasten bermudagrass recovery following fraise mowing will be presented.

3:15-4:15 pm Eastern

(RT) Data and Decisions: Applying Research in Sports Field Management Practices

Tyler Carr, Ph.D. – Professor at The Ohio State University
Dan Sandor, Ph.D. – Professor at Virgina Tech University

Sports field managers (SFMs) are required to produce playing surfaces that maximize field quality, playability, and safety, in an environmentally-sustainable and economically-sound manner. To determine which products and practices are right for managing their field, SFMs must first understand the importance of the scientific method and be able to correctly interpret scientific data and research findings.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Attendees will discover the significance of the scientific method and explore how field experiments are conducted.
  • Attendees will learn how to correctly interpret scientific data and apply research findings that will align with their budget.
  • Attendees will learn how to conduct their own experiments to evaluate how product applications or management practices may affect the playing-surface quality, playability, and safety of the fields at their facility.

 

Week 4 – Tuesday, February 20

2-3 pm

(TM) Regenerative Athletic Field Management

Barry Stewart, Ph.D. -Professor, Mississippi State University

The basis of regenerative agriculture is a land management philosophy that improves soil health while building nutrient density and crop resilience. This talk will focus on how soil health parameters tests can be evaluated to give insights into the health of our turfgrass soils and turfgrass stands.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Attendees will be more comfortable discussing soil health parameters.
  • Attendees will be able to discuss how their athletic field functions in the fixing, and removal of carbon from the atmosphere and the cycling of soil nutrients.
  • Attendees of this presentation will be better able to design management programs that work with the soil microbial community to provide healthier stands of turfgrass.

3:15-4:15 pm

(PC) Managing Common Insect Pests in Cool-season Athletic Fields

Geoffrey Rinehart – Lecturer, University of Maryland

This presentation will cover the common insect pests of cool-season sports fields in the transition zone and northern zones, including the white grub complex, chinch bugs, billbugs, cutworms, and sod webworm. I will briefly discuss the life cycles of these insects, the plant and “stand” symptoms associated with them, and basic IPM concepts.

After this presentation, attendees will:

  • Be able to identify major cool-season turfgrass insect pests such as white grubs (including masked chafers, Japanese beetles, green June beetle, etc.), chinch bugs, billbugs, cutworms, armyworms, etc.
  • Understand the life cycle of major cool-season turfgrass insect pests and the species on which they are more (or less) likely to occur.
  • Be able to identify characteristic damage symptoms resulting from different insect activity.
  • Understand how to utilize a variety of IPM practices to manage common cool-season turfgrass insect pests with an emphasis on cultural, biological, and biorational control techniques.