Central Georgia is home to some of the state’s busiest sod farms, plant nurseries, and landscape companies. From bermuda sod in Perry to woody ornamentals in Lizella, this part of the state is buzzing with agricultural commerce – that is, folks who grow plants and the landscape companies who install and care for them.

Offering continuing education to the farmers, spray technicians, and landscape professionals who work in the area is a no-brainer. We are pleased to partner with the Houston County Extension in Perry, Georgia to present this year’s Green-Up! education day.

Farmers and landscape pros alike should attend this five-hour lineup of classes to earn credits towards their Georgia Category 10 (private applicator), Category 21 (agriculture), and/or Category 24 (turf and ornamental) pesticide licenses. 

Speakers include a star-studded cast of University of Georgia professors, plus Rick Smith, the owner and founder of The Pruning Guru. Smith’s popular pruning session, which received rave reviews from landscapers at our recent Landscape Pro University in Atlanta, earns 1 credit for ISA (International Society of Arboriculture). Attendees noted that his session was useful, informative, and allowed them to put strategies to work in their landscape maintenance routes right away.

• Dr. Bodie Pennisi will present a practical session on how landscapers can “wow!” their residential or commercial customers with seasonal color this spring and summer. She will also share her expertise on integrated pest management as part of maintaining healthy flower and plant beds to last the full growing season. 
• Dr. Ben Pritchard will share his experiences and then answer prompted questions from the audience to discuss pressing weed science issues from landscape professionals in Georgia. Think of this session as a live “ask the expert,” with a weed scientist who can help you understand why a certain unwanted plant may keep reappearing on your property.
• Prepare to stay ahead of the 2026 Turfgrass growing season using the latest turfgrass diseases prevention and management breakthroughs. Dr. Alfredo Martinez’ session will address practical, research-driven strategies you can implement now to minimize the risk of disease appearance and maximize turf health.
• Dr. Clint Waltz’ presentation will cover the impact of fall, winter, and emerging spring environmental conditions on the green-up of warm-season grasses.  He will share how coupling proper agronomics with the climatic forecast can help mitigate pest problems. Rather than pushing lawns to green up before the turfgrass plant is ready, Waltz will share best practices for turf care based on ground temperatures and other cues to fertilize, mow, and perform maintenance tasks at the correct time.

The Perry, Georgia Green-Up education day is the perfect opportunity to sharpen your skills as a farmer, a nursery manager, a spray technician, or a landscape professional. Held in a small classroom setting, attendees will have the opportunity to ask direct questions to the instructors.

Whether it’s to earn continuing education credits or to grow your professional knowledge, any horticulture, turfgrass, or landscape professional in middle Georgia will benefit from these classes. The event begins at 8 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026. Register to attend here.