CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 08/28/24

Turfgrass Research Field Day draws hundreds to UGA-Griffin

By Ashley N Biles
A UGA researcher holding a sign reading "4" leads a large crowd to a presentation station
The 2024 Turfgrass Research Field Day, held Aug. 7 at UGA-Griffin, began with a guided research tour. Visiting eight stations, attendees received CAES expert advice to improve precision irrigation management, disease control, soil testing and fertility management for turf. (Photo by Ashley Biles)

More than 650 turf industry professionals, golf course superintendents and local homeowners gathered at the University of Georgia Griffin campus on Aug. 7 for the 2024 Turfgrass Research Field Day. Participants learned about turf-related issues from College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) researchers and UGA Cooperative Extension specialists from all three of the university's campuses. 

Opening the field day, CAES Associate Dean for Research Harshavardhan Thippareddi, Griffin Mayor Doug Hollberg and CAES Professor Clint Waltz offered an overview of the UGA Turf Team's ongoing work to address the needs of the state's turf industry.

Attendees visited eight sites on the guided research tour, during which participants learned recommendations for improved precision irrigation management, disease control, soil testing and fertility management for turf. Presenters also covered an introduction to skyseed — a new weed species in Georgia lawns — breeding and evaluation of turf-type tall fescue, cutting-edge techniques to determine sports field safety, and germplasm improvement. Attendees were able to interact directly with researchers and ask follow-up questions after each presentation.  

During the afternoon session, attendees viewed displays and demonstrations of the latest turfgrass industry equipment before participating in a self-guided research tour. Tour stops around campus focused on graduate student research, turfgrass problem solving, diagnosing turfgrass diseases, the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, new and upcoming cultivars of seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum), grasses as a pollinator food source, and information on how industry can use the irrigation training center on campus. 

Clint Waltz speaks to a crowd from under a Georgia Grown tent
UGA Extension Turfgrass Specialist Clint Waltz speaks to a group about a new weed species in Georgia lawns. “It is our hope that sharing those with others will lead to improved practices and stewardship within the industry,” said Waltz. (Photo by Ashley Biles)

Continuing education units (CEUs) for pesticide recertification were available for pest control professionals attending from Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.   

Research-based field days are an ideal way for researchers to share their knowledge and expertise with industry members and the public.  

“Turfgrass Field Day gives us the opportunity to highlight new research and techniques,” said Waltz, also an Extension turfgrass specialist in the CAES Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. “It is our hope that sharing those with others will lead to improved practices and stewardship within the industry.”  

Waltz is already looking forward to hosting the next Turfgrass Field Day in August 2026. “I am excited to see what our turf team discovers in the two years leading up to our next field day. I don’t always get to interact with my colleagues and learn about their research as much as I would like, and through this event, I am able to learn as much as the participants do,” he said.

Learn more about the interdisciplinary research out of the UGA Turf Team at turf.caes.uga.edu. Refer to the 2024 Turfgrass Research Field Day Guide for the latest information about turfgrass research studies, products and turfgrass Extension programs.

 

Authors:
Ashley N Biles
Experts/Sources:
Clint Waltz
A groundbreaking ceremony for a green stormwater demonstration site was held on Nov. 22 at the UGA Research and Education Garden at UGA-Griffin. This site will allow visitors to get a firsthand look at the green infrastructure technology that can be used both in the green industry and in private homes. Pictured are (l-r): Rolando Orellana, urban water management state agent in the UGA Center for Urban Agriculture; Jeffrey Dean, Assistant Provost and Campus Director for UGA Griffin; Bethany Harris, Director of the UGA Center for Urban Agriculture, Joy Hinkle, Grants Unit Manager for Georgia EPD, and Martin Wunderly, UGA Northeast District Extension Area Water Agent. CAES News
UGA-Griffin breaks ground on green stormwater demonstration site 12/11/24 Ashley N Biles
Industry professionals, researchers and the public will soon have access to the latest in sustainable infrastructure technology with the construction of a green stormwater demonstration site at the University of Georgia Research and Education Garden on the UGA Griffin campus. The groundbreaking ceremony was held Nov. 22 with plans to complete several demonstration areas by the end of 2024.
At the 2024 Georgia Life Sciences Summit held Oct. 21-22 in Atlanta, Professor Quingguo “Jack” Huang of the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences received the Golden Helix Innovation Award for his research in technologies to mitigate “forever chemicals” in water resources. (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker) CAES News
Nothing lasts forever: CAES professor finds solutions to break down ‘forever chemicals’ 12/05/24 Carson McAfee
University of Georgia Professor Qingguo “Jack” Huang always wanted to do one thing: solve problems. Growing up in a small city in central China, Huang’s favorite subject in elementary school was math, granting him the opportunity to work on many problems. In high school, his passion transitioned to science, where he learned he could feed those same interests in a way that benefited others. He was finishing high school in the 1980s when Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring made its way to Chinese newspapers, capturing Huang’s attention.
Georgia Simmons at the office of U.S. Sen. Warnock CAES News
Georgia 4-H alum, CAES student spends semester serving at the nation's Capitol 12/03/24 Josie Smith, Cooper Hardy
Third-year University of Georgia student and Banks County 4-H alum Georgia Simmons has been in the center of the political action this fall with the Georgia 4-H Washington DC Intern Program. Simmons, an environmental resource science major in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, works in the office of U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock. As an intern on his staff, she interacts directly with policy experts and lawmakers, participating in the legislative process while earning a semester of credit hours.
Longtime faculty member George Vellidis was named the first permanent director of the Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture. IIPA was launched in 2022 and has grown to include more than 70 faculty members. (Photo by Paul Privette for UGA CAES) CAES News
Vellidis named director of Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture 12/02/24 David Mitchell
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Professor George Vellidis has been named director of the Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture (IIPA). His term began on Nov. 1, and he will serve as the unit’s first permanent director. “Dr. Vellidis has been a vital member of our UGA faculty for years and played a key role in launching IIPA,” said Chris King, interim vice president for research. “Whether it’s his impact as a first-class researcher and educator or the work he does behind the scenes to elevate our reputation in the field abroad, his presence has made UGA a hub for precision agriculture research.”
Mergoum at Creature Comforts CAES News
That's the spirit! 11/18/24 Maria M. Lameiras, Claire S. Kinnard
Wheat breeders spend years meticulously crossing varieties to coax the best traits out of each species, carefully propagating plant varieties that are healthier, heartier and better suited for the environments where they are grown. Professional brewmasters are equally painstaking when choosing the components that will give their beers a specific flavor profile.
TiftonCampusSunset2 CAES News
CAES Transfer Pathways Program expands enrollment access for rural students 11/12/24 Emily Cabrera
The Transfer Pathways Program is opening new doors for rural students who dream of attending the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). In partnership with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and Southern Regional Technical College, students who complete required coursework at these institutions can transfer to CAES to complete bachelor’s degrees in one of three majors — agribusiness, agricultural education, and agriscience and environmental systems.