True to from (or, at least as one would hope), the last day of summer was bright and sunny; a clearing of skies from the rain which preceded and then followed.

More than 200 participants representing the turfgrass industry joined us 'Onsite in Oakville' for the 24th Annual Field Day at the Glen Abbey Community Centre on September 22, 2011.

The respected speakers, topics that were varied and on trend, tremendous supplier support and presence, delicious lunch, and of course, the delegates who were keen to learn, all contributed to the day's success.

For better, safer sports turf...year after year...25 in 2012! Check back often for details as they become available.

 

An Energizing Inaugural Event.

The catchphrase for the event was 'Meet Us in Moncton' and the invitation was well received! More than 100 turfgrass industry professionals gathered at the geographic centre of the Maritimes for the Atlantic Sports Turf Field Day on July 21, 2011. The response was remarkable and the enthusiasm engergizing for our inaugural eastern event.

Atlantic Sports Turf Field Day Summary Dr. Bob Daniels, Adjunct Professor, Nova Scotia Agricultural College and Photo Gallery (pdf...)
Our Sponsors (pdf...)	Our Exhibitors (pdf...)

 

Kent McVittie, Commissioner of Community Services for the City of Cambridge together with Bob Kennedy, STA Director welcomed attendees to the Hespeler Beehive Hall/Optimist Park for the Sports Turf Association Field Day, September 23rd.

The event, now in its twenty-third year, attracted more than two hundred sports turf professionals, students, and suppliers to the industry.
 
In the words of one enthusiastic participant — 

“Great food! Excellent speakers, supplier showcase and field demos! Thanks!”

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves!

Photo gallery (pdf...) 

---

Field Day Highlight Article
Managing Sand-Based Athletic Fields (pdf...)
John Sorochan, Ph.D, University of Tennessee

The Sports Turf Association was once again favoured by Mother Nature with a late summer day that dawned bright, sunny and warm despite forecasts earlier in the week calling for rain. The change in weather was perhaps precipitated by the scheduled appearance of both the Mayor of Brantford, Mike Hancock, and the irrepressible Lord Mayor of Brantford, Walter Gretzky!

More than 260 turfgrass industry professionals travelled to The Telephone City for the Association’s 22nd Annual Field Day. Feedback is that the program and speakers were highly relevant ─ addressing the transition to pesticide-free athletic field management, the basics of synthetic turf systems, inspection and maintenance of sports field infrastructure, and the servicing of irrigation systems.

True to form our industry sponsors were generous with their support as were our exhibitors with their participation. Thank you to all who contributed in making our 22nd Annual Field Day our 22nd Annual Success!

---

The Way to Effectively Manage Pesticide-Free Athletic Fields
STA Field Day Session with Dr. Eric Lyons, University of Guelph, ON

We can use this as an opportunity to move forward professionally. We can increase our agronomic knowledge and become better turfgrass managers. We can increase our profile and our professionalism. We can become better communicators and create relationships with our user groups, and have them help us do our job.

View the complete article (pdf) by Mike Jiggens as it appeared in Turf & Recreation.