MASFMA Spring Education Event

March 5, 2026

7:00 AM – 2:00 PM 

Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area

Edward L Walls Activity Hall

Ranger Skinner Road

Elkton, MD 21921

AGENDA:

7:00 – 7:45    Registration and Breakfast

7:45 – 8:00    MASFMA, Welcome to Spring Education Event

8:00 – 8:15    Welcome to Fair Hill, Trish Brown, MD Department of Natural Resources

8:15 – 9:00    1^st Presentation

Title: Turfgrass Management Operations at Fair Hill

Presenters: Mike Urich, Hummer Turfgrass Systems, and Mike Boekholder, Boekholder and Associates

Topic Overview: Matt and Mike will discuss the different management strategies with regards to turf track maintenance at Fair Hill. This presentation will not only include fertility and pest management practices but other maintenance practices and field testing that is required to promote a safe track for both the riders and horses.

9:00 – 9:15    BREAK

9:15 – 10:00   2^nd Presentation

Title:  Using Soil Testing Data to Develop State and Regional -Level MLSN Guidelines (DE_MLSN)

Presenter:  Mr. John Emerson, Extension Nutrient Management and Pesticide Safety Agent, University of Delaware

Topic Overview:  The Minimal Levels of Sustainable Nutrition (MLSN) is a guideline for turfgrass professionals to follow regarding fertility programs. However, to cover more specific Delaware soil conditions field research has been conducted to better adjust MSLN guidelines to Delaware conditions (DE-MLSN). The presentation will also cover the limitations in traditional soil testing and fertilizer recommendations and why DE_MLSN is a better fertility resource.

10:00 – 10:15   BREAK

10:15 – 11:00   3^rd Presentation

Title: Major Insect, Disease, and Weed Pests of Turf

Presenters: Dr. Kevin Mathias, Retired Turfgrass Instructor at University of Maryland and current Executive Director of MASFMA, and Geoff Rinehart, Turfgrass Extension Agent and Instructor at University of Maryland.

Topic Overview: Survey results of the major pest problems encountered by field managers at sports turf, home lawns, golf courses and sod farm operations in the Fall of 2023 will be discussed. Also, the major types of control actions that were used will be covered. The 2025 growing season in the Mid-Atlantic area saw record breaking humidity, extremes in Spring rainfall, and late season drought conditions. What effect did our 2025 weather have on pest problems in the Mid-Atlantic area?

11:00 – 11:15   CEU Requirements & Advocacy Updates

11:15 – 12:15   LUNCH

12:15 – 12:30   Awards and Scholarship Presentation

12:30 -   1:15   4^th Presentation

Title:  Selecting Cultivars Based on IPM and Fertility Management:  An update on NTEP and a Potential USDA Turfgrass Survey

Presenter: Mr. Kevin Morris, Executive Director, National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP)

Topic Overview: NTEP coordinates numerous turfgrass field trials throughout the United States to evaluate different turfgrass species and cultivars with regards to overall performance. Their evaluations look at overall turfgrass quality and also other parameters such as disease and insect resistance, drought hardiness, mowing height tolerances and fertilizer requirements that impact turfgrass stand density and ultimately weed encroachment. Also, hear about the potential of the first USDA national turfgrass survey, which can lead to documentation of acreage, value, employment and numbers of lawns, athletic fields, parks, and golf courses.

1:15 – 2:00     Conclusion and Optional Tour of the Fair Hill Turf Track

CEU / CFA Credits:

DC 3A - Exterior Ornamental Plants - 4 CEUs

DC 3B - Lawn & Turf - 4 CEUs

DC 7A - Industrial/Institutional/Structured - 4 CEUs

DC 7B - Wood Destroying Organism - 4 CEUs

DC 7F - Industrial Weed - 4 CEUs

DE Nutrient Management - 2 CEUs

DE Pesticide - Cat. 03: - 2 CEUs

MD Pesticide - (Categories 3A, 3C, 10) - 8 CEUs

MD Nutrient Management - 2 CEUs

VA Pesticide - Categories 3-B (24), 60 (60)

VA Fertilizer - 2 CFAs

Tickets

$0.00 Members Attend for free

$50.00 Guest (Non-Member)