The IPM Council of Canada has accredited the symposium’s sessions for 2.25 Continuing Education Credits.
CEC update
23 Wednesday Nov 2011
Posted in Student turfgrass symposium, Turfgrass
2011 Turfgrass Symposium- “Saving Your Greens in Times of Darkness”
23 Wednesday Nov 2011
Posted in Student turfgrass symposium, Turfgrass
University of Guelph student-run event this Friday offers education, advice and networking opportunities
GUELPH, Ontario (November 23, 2011)–Turf managers in Ontario are under increasing pressure due to declines in the golf business, rising economic pressures and public disclosure requirements in 2012.
To help turf managers deal with these pressures and provide educational and networking opportunities, the University of Guelph’s first year Turfgrass Management students present their annual symposium on Friday, November 25 at Cutten Fields in Guelph, Ontario. There is no cost to attend.
Themed Saving Your Greens in Times of Darkness, the symposium will feature experts discussing major issues in the turf industry such as the 2012 public disclosure requirements for golf courses about their pesticide use, how economic pressures are affecting agronomy, and they will take a critical look at integrated pest management (IPM) practices.
“Turf professionals in Southern Ontario cannot afford to miss this event. The symposium will be one of the major events of the year for professionals in the turfgrass industry and anyone interested in turf practices,” said Robert Witherspoon, Director of the Guelph Turfgrass Institute and the Associate Diploma in Turfgrass Management at the University of Guelph.
Keynote speaker John Bladon of the Chimera Group will deliver his highly regarded “Agronomy vs. Economy” presentation, which includes advice on improving efficiency and saving money.
The symposium will offer a workshop to help participants prepare for the upcoming 2012 pesticide disclosure requirements and public meetings. The workshop will be hosted by Violet Van Wassenaer, an IPM specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Environment; turfgrass specialist Pam Charbonneau with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; and golf communications expert Tim O’Connor, President of O’Connor Golf Communications.
Another panel of experts will evaluate IPM on its scientific merits and its effectiveness in plant health care. The experts will gauge the possible benefits that IPM may present to turf managers.
The panel will be hosted by three renowned experts: Dr. Katerina Jordan, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph; Marc Brooks, Superintendent at Stone Tree Golf and Fitness Club in Owen Sound, Ontario; and Dr. Cameron Harrington, Research Scientist, Syngenta Crop Protection Canada, Inc.
“The students have done a first-class job in organizing an event that will be highly educational, a great networking opportunity and an engaging exchange of ideas among leading academics, industry leaders and acclaimed golf course superintendents,” said Tim O’Connor, whose communications class is presenting the symposium.
The event will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m., and speakers beginning at 9:00 a.m. followed by lunch, and opportunities to network.
To RSVP or obtain more information, email us at guelphturf@gmail.com, and visit our website at www.guelphturf.com.
For sales and sponsorship opportunities, and information for donations, please email kitchen@uoguelph.ca.
Executive Committee
Geoff Barnett, Executive Director gbarnett@uoguelph.ca
Jordan Kitchen, Sales and Finance kitchen@uoguelph.ca
Phil Losier, Event Execution plosier@uoguelph.ca
Josh Vlasic, Communications jvlasic@uoguelph.ca
Sean McGuire, Marketing smcguire@uoguelph.ca
Tim O’Connor, Sessional Lecturer tim@oconnorgolf.ca
Tim O’Connor
O’Connor Golf Communications
Sod Cannon
02 Wednesday Nov 2011
Posted in Turfgrass
Symposium Information
01 Tuesday Nov 2011
Posted in Student turfgrass symposium
November 25th, 2011- Mark it on your calenders, it’s the date the University of Guelph’s Turfgrass Management students will be hosting their annual symposium.
Our symposium will discuss the hottest topics currently affecting the turfgrass industry.
John R. Bladon, Principle of The Chimera Group will be our keynote speaker. His presentation ‘Agronomy vs. Economy’ focuses on prioritizing turfgrass management under fiscal pressures. (See previous post for more info on John R. Bladon or check out his webpage)
The symposium will offer workshops focusing on IPM concerns. One of these workshops will offer tips and techniques for superintendents preparing for newly introduced 2012 IPM public meetings. Regarded authorities & industry leaders will be on site.
The venue is Cutten Fields in Guelph, Ontario and there is no fee to attend.
Please RSVP to: guelphturf@gmail.com Sign up soon, space is limited and lunch is free
Keynote Speaker Bio
01 Tuesday Nov 2011
Posted in Keynote Speaker
For many years John R. Bladon has immersed himself in studying of horticulture, turfgrass, and the environment.
Since graduating from the University of Guelph, John has helped construct and grow-in two golf courses in Ontario and spent nine years as a golf course superintendent.
John has authored over 50 articles and has executed more than 50 presentations with topics ranging from general turfgrass management to IPM education and sustainability practices.
John is both the Founder and Principle of The Chimera Group; a management, consulting and communications firm that supports clients through effective communications, training, on-site technical support, educational sessions and the management of analytical and research data.
