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Category: Education Events
Student Spotlight: Nic Mitchell
By Brooke Garcia
Meet Nic Mitchell!
Mitchell is currently enrolled at Kansas State University pursing his Master’s degree in Horticulture, with an emphasis in Turfgrass Science and Weed Science. His undergraduate degree is from University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Turfgrass and Landscape Management.
So we asked him….why Turfgrass?
Mitchell highlighted his love for turfgrass began around the time when his parents let him mow the lawn. He grew up on a nine-hole golf course in Aurora, Nebraska, and he became interested in the various mowers and different heights of cut.
Mitchell also shared his passion for playing golf. He had the opportunity to work several summers at his hometown golf course, where his interest in turfgrass continued to grow. Throughout his college studies, he eventually changed majors to pursue Turfgrass Management. This opened the doors to a variety of unique learning opportunities, including an internship in Jackson, Wyoming and a marketing internship with WinField United. These experiences helped Mitchell realize that he wanted to work in the turfgrass industry.
Dr. Jared Hoyle presented Mitchell with the opportunity to attend Kansas State University to work towards his M.S. Mitchell says that he has had a wonderful experience, and he is forever grateful for the opportunity to be apart of the K-State family.
Let’t talk research.
Mitchell’s research is focused around Herbicide Programs for Seasonal Windmillgrass Control. Here is what Mitchell has to say about his research:
“Windmillgrass (Chloris verticillata Nutt.) is a problematic perennial grassy weed commonly found in the mid-west. Currently, there are the only two labeled chemical control options in turfgrass. Tenacity (mesotrione) is labeled for two applications for control while Pylex (topramezone) is labeled for a single application for control. We conducted research to determine if a single application of a common selective perennial grass herbicides would completely control windmillgrass, and to their efficacy when applied at spring, summer, and fall application timings. The next research study that we conducted was to explore the addition of triclopyr to mesotrione, topramezone, and fenoxaprop as well as triclopyr alone. Sequential applications of these herbicides and herbicide combinations were also applied. The last research trial we conducted was to determine the effects of windmillgrass response to glyphosate at different rates with fall applications similar to common recommended perennial weed control options.”
What’s next for Nic Mitchell?
Mitchell will be finishing up his M.S. program this December. His thesis presentation is on December 2nd, 2019 at 12:00pm in Throckmorton Plant Sciences Center. Following his thesis, he will be working for Corteva Agriscience as an Associate Territory Manager with their Turf and Ornamental business. Wish him the best of luck on his future endeavors!
See below for more information on his thesis presentation:
Upcoming Commercial Pesticide Applicator Training
By Brooke Garcia & Frannie Miller
Upcoming Commercial Pesticide Applicator Training
Date: November 12-14, 2019 in Salina, KS – Webster Conference Center
Website: https://conferences.k-state.edu/commercialpesticide/
Objective: The objective of this training program is for the Kansas State University Cooperative Education Service to provide a broad, practical training program and to help Kansas commercial pesticide applicators meet the requirements for renewal certification.
ALL commercial certified pesticide applicators are required to accumulate credit hours if re-certifying through training.
In Kansas, there are two ways to receive training for renewal certification: 1) study a manual and pass an examination and 2) attend training courses approved by the Kansas Secretary of Agriculture for required re-certification credit hour (CEU) accumulation. All applicators must now accumulate the necessary credit hours required for the appropriate category/subcategory in which they are certified. If you have not accumulated the required number of credit hours (1 core hour and either 3, 5 or 7 pest management hours) and paid the certification fee ($50 per category certified in) to the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) by the expiration of your current certification, you must re-exam to obtain certification.
Upcoming Forestry Training Events
By: Brooke Garcia
Are you interested in learning more about tree issues that a number of Kansas communities face? The Kansas Forest Service is hosting a number of upcoming all-day training’s across the state of Kansas in October and November.
Here are the upcoming dates, along with their locations:
- Tuesday, Oct. 29 – Dodge City
- Tuesday, Nov. 5 – Emporia
- Tuesday, Nov. 5 – Hays
- Thursday, Nov. 7 – Marysville
- Thursday, Nov. 14 – Olathe
- Tuesday, Nov. 19 – Park City
- Thursday, Nov. 21 – Parsons Arboretum
For more information, please visit the announcement: Statewide Community Forestry Trainings
GCSAA Student Chapter Fundraiser Golf Tournament – October 20th
UPCOMING EVENT! The Kansas State University GCSAA Student Chapter is hosting a Fundraiser Golf Tournament at Colbert Hills Golf Course in Manhattan, KS. The event is scheduled for October 20th, 2019 at 9:00am. This will be a 4-man scramble.
Cost: $200.00 ($50/player) per team OR $300 per team with a hole sponsorship.
Registration begins at 8:00am on the day of the event. There will be a 50/50 raffle at registration, along with mulligans and hole games.
Please access the registration form below for more information:
KSU GCSAA Golf Tournament ColbertHills 2019
Registration may be turned in via E-Mail to Jason Dutton (jasond4@ksu.edu). Should you have any questions, call/text/email Jason Duttton (719) 343-5188.
69th Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference 2019
Save the Date! The 69th Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference in conjunction with KNLA will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan, Kansas on December 4th, 5th, and 6th, 2019.
This is a 2.5-day conference with an average attendance of over 600, including about 50 exhibitors. Faculty from Kansas State University, invited speakers from other universities and companies, and leaders in the turf industry present informative workshops and seminars.
The 2019 Turfgrass Conference featured speakers:
- Dr. Matthew Elmore, Rutgers University, is the extension turfgrass
specialist at Rutgers University. His program at Rutgers focuses on novel strategies to control weeds with fewer pesticide inputs. The program also focuses on significant efforts in developing alternatives to synthetic pesticides and understanding the influence of management. - Dr. Josh Friell, Toro Co, joined The Toro Company in 2014 and serves as Senior Principal Research Scientist in the Center for Technology, Research
& Innovation. As a member of the CTRI team, he is working to address Green Industry challenges through the development and application of innovative technology and solutions. - Dr. Roch Gaussoin, University of Nebraska, is a professor in the Agronomy & Horticulture Dept. His research focuses on two areas – investigations in the turfgrass phyto-biome and nutraceutical assessment of amenity grass and specialty crop extracts.
- Dr. Frank Wong, Cornell University, is a Senior Regulatory Affairs Consultant with Bayer. He works closely with a wide range of industry,
government, and non-government organizations to help provide solutions to regulatory and legislative challenges for effective disease, insect and weed management.
Download the conference brochure to learn more about the sessions, workshops, and speakers. There are a variety of classes and workshops to help you and your business whether you are new or have been in the turfgrass industry for many years. We can’t wait to see you there.
There are 2 ways to register by November 22nd:
1. Download, print, fill out, and mail the conference brochure with your payment.
2. Go to https://2019turfconference.eventbrite.com to pay with your credit card or scan the barcode in the program on your mobile device.
The rain didn’t stop us….Turfgrass Field Day 2019!
A huge thank you to everyone who attended the 2019 Turfgrass Field Day in Olathe, KS. Our morning was filled with rain, but most attendees waited it out to learn more about the Turfgrass research + insect/disease updates from K-State specialists. The BBQ lunch was a big incentive for waiting it out too… 🙂
We wanted to share a few pictures from the event. There were 8 different stops at the field day. Here are the highlights:
- Tree Pruning: Principles and Practices— Tim McDonnell taught about the different types, methods and reasons for tree pruning. Specifically, he demonstrated structural, raising and thinning practices, as well as making proper pruning cuts.
- Ornamental Potpourri — Cheryl Boyer gave updates for ornamentals in Kansas, including the status of the John C. Pair Horticulture Research Center, popular new cultivars from local growers, an Earth-Kind Ninebark trial, and new Facebook marketing research results. She had a beautiful booth, full of luscious plants from KAT Wholesale Nurseries and Loma Vista Nursery.
- New Tall Fescue Cultivars — Steve Keeley shared insights on a new tall fescue cultivar trial with over 130 entries that were established at Olathe in 2018. He showed the top performers and gave recommedations for tall fescue cultivars in Midwest lawns and sports turf.
- Turf & Ornamental Insect Update —Raymond Cloyd shared an update on insect and mite pests of ornamentals and turfgrass, including new insecticides and miticidies, common insect and mite pests of 2019, and lots of “bug” samples.
- Turf and Ornamental Disease Update—Megan Kennelly talked about diseases and stresses and how to identify and manage them. She also showed some tall fescue/zoysia blend plots and demonstrataed how the two species can complement each other.
- Managing Shaded Turf —Dale Bremer talked about shade stress and how it affects turf performance, along with options to maintain turf quality in shade.
- Turfgrass Weed Control Update — Jared Hoyle & Dani McFadden covered many aspects of turfrgass weed control advancements, including information about new herbicides, and how they influence your weed control program.
- Advancements in Zoysiagrasss — Jack Fry showed of his “Innovation’ and ‘Chisholm’ turf plots – the new zoysias K-State has released. There are over 1,000 genetically different zoysias that are being evaluated at the Olathe Center.
Kansas Turfgrass and Ornamentals Field Day
(By Jared Hoyle, KSU Turfgrass Research and Extension)
The Kansas Turf & Ornamentals Field Day program is designed for all segments of the turf and ornamental industry — lawn care, athletic fields, golf courses, landscape, and grounds maintenance. Included on the program are research presentations, problem diagnosis, commercial exhibits, and equipment displays. There will be time to see current research, talk to the experts, and get answers to your questions. This year it will be a the K-State Research and Extension Center in Olathe on August 1, 2019.
For more information check out the Kansas Turfgrass Foundation Website – http://www.kansasturfgrassfoundation.com
Register online –https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kansas-turf-ornamentals-field-day-tickets-56438349623
We hope to see you on Thursday, August 1!
Want to be an Exhibitor? Register here – http://www.kansasturfgrassfoundation.com/uploads/8/9/7/3/8973595/exhibitreservationform2019.pdf
Find your career in Turfgrass Management
(By Jared Hoyle, KSU Turfgrass Research and Extension)
Do you have friends or family looking for a new career or looking to start their career? K-State has an opportunity for you! The Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources can prepare you for a career in Golf and Sports Turf Operations.
Check out our website for more information (https://hnr.k-state.edu/undergraduate/horticulture/specialization-areas/) and schedule a visit to K-State.
Experience the life of a K-State College of Agriculture Student! Shadow one of our Agriculture Ambassadors – go to class, speak to professors, tour campus, and more. Come visit us any weekday classes are in session. https://www.ag.k-state.edu/agexperience/
To really envision the possibilities of a K-State experience, there’s no substitute for seeing the campus in person. There are a variety of ways to tailor your visit to be a perfect fit. https://www.k-state.edu/admissions/visit/
K-State Olathe Open House – April 6th, 2019
K-State Horticulture Major on Display at K-State Olathe Open House
The K-State undergraduate horticulture major and specialization areas, including golf course and sports turf operations, horticulture production, horticulture science, and landscape horticulture will be on display at the K-State Open House at the Olathe Campus on Saturday, April 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the building’s 2nd floor. If you have employees, family, or friends in the Kansas City area who may be interested in studying horticulture at K-State, please have them stop by!
K-State Olathe is located at 22201 W. Innovation Drive, Olathe, KS To learn more about the K-State Olathe Campus Open House activities, visit website.
