Writer: Robert Burns (903) 834-6191,rd-burns@tamu.edu
Sources: Randy Reeves (903) 935-8413
OVERTON – A wide variety of topics dealing with growing turfgrass will be covered at the Feb. 6 East Texas Turfgrass Conference near Overton.
Participants will hear about new varieties, insect control and disease prevention, changes in pesticide regulations, soil fertility issues and a step-up in enforcement of the “IPM in Schools” law. The conference will be held at the Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center near Overton.
The program is aimed primarily at professional turfgrass managers, those who manage city or county parks, golf courses and sports fields. But home gardeners and farmers will also benefit from attending, according to Brian Triplett, with the Smith County office of Texas Cooperative Extension and one of the conference organizers.
Attendees who hold pesticide applicator licenses from the Texas Department of Agriculture will be eligible for five continuing education units, one in integrated pest management, three in the general category and one in laws and regulations.
Commercial exhibitors will be on hand with booths and demonstrations of new products.
Registration for the conference will be $20, a price which includes lunch and break refreshments. Participants may pre-register by mailing a check or money order to “D-5 TCAAA.” The address is Dennis Smith, Texas Cooperative Extension, 405 East Marshall, Room 101, Longview, TX 75601. The pre-registration must be postmarked on or before Feb. 1.
Participants may also register at the door. Registration for the conference will begin at 8 a.m. The program will begin at 8:30 a.m. and adjourn at 3:30 p.m.
The Overton Center is two miles north of Overton on Farm Road 3053. On the Internet, maps to the center can be found at http://overton.tamu.edu/contact_1.htm.
For more information about the conference call Randy Reeves, Harrison County Extension agent, telephone (903) 935-8413.
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