Valuable video content from industry experts.
Current UAC members can access previously recorded content from Georgia Urban Ag Council at no charge (just log in to receive your discount). Content is available to non-members at a fee of $5.00 per video.
Please note that although continuing education credits may have been offered to those who attended these sessions live, credits are not available when viewing the recorded content later.
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Abiotic Stress & Disorders in Turf Areas
This session will focus on common abiotic stresses in turfgrasses, including drought, shade, and compaction. This will include how environmental stresses damage plants, common symptoms, how plants respond to these stresses, and ultimately how management practices interact with these stresses. The session will not only give an overview of how abiotic stresses affect turf areas but also the importance of managing these areas to maintain healthy plants that are more resilient against abiotic and biotic stresses
About the presenter:
Dr. Jespersen is an associate professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at the University of Georgia in Griffin. His research focuses on the physiology of abiotic stresses in turfgrasses. His research program combines whole plant physiology with underlying molecular biology in a systems biology approach to understand the mechanisms of stress tolerance.Jespersen has published 34 publications in addition to 4 book chapters and has helped secure over $15.1 million in funding for projects as PI or Co-PI, including participation in several large multi-institution grants. He has been a graduate student advisor or committee member for 20 graduate students, and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses including Turfgrass Physiology and Ecology, and Plant Physiology.
Ornamental Pest Issues
Every season brings new challenges to the landscape. We’ll discuss what to look for: disease, ID, control.
About the presenter:
Dr. Bethany Harris is the Center for Urban Agriculture Director, where she has the opportunity to work with multiple groups, including industry clientele, Extension agents, professional associations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations to tackle a wide variety of urban challenges in the areas of nursery and landscape, food production, sustainable turfgrass, pest management, and urban forestry.
Biological Control in Turfgrass Diseases
This session will address in detail the concepts, basics, and general mechanisms of biocontrol and their relevance on turfgrass disease control. Special emphasis will be given in new biocontrol strategies, organisms used and commercial availability. The presentation will describe in detail recent research performed in turfgrass settings using biocontrol strategies and the implications and considerations for the future.
About the presenter:
Dr. Martinez is a Professor within the Department of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, Griffin Campus. He is an Extension Specialist working on the development and transfer of information of new and recurring turfgrass diseases. Alfredo holds a PhD. from the Department of Plant Pathology in Montana State University (Bozeman MT). Alfredo has been at UGA for 24 years.
Pruning with Purpose
Technical winter pruning that will prepare you and your customer's ornamental trees and shrubs for spring and summer. We will also touch on fertilizing and growth inhibitors.
About the presenter:
Rick Smith is the owner of The Pruning Guru, certified Georgia Nurseryman and a Georgia Certified Landscape Professional, both through the University of Georgia
Improving Designs Using Native Plants
Using native plants in the landscape gains in popularity, for many good reasons. Eric King will discuss how to improve your design by using natives and talk about pros and cons - disease, pests, IPM and managing the design and installation.
We will focus on three things:
- Examining our current landscape model
- Understanding how nature works
- Learning how we can adapt our model to work with nature for more long-term, successful and beautiful designs
Speaker: Eric King, King Landscaping
Tree & Shrub Diseases
Disease development is dependent upon environmental conditions. Diseases such as anthracnose, leaf spots, stem cankers, vascular dieback, and rots are very common right now. Dr. Woodward-Williams from the University of Georgia will discuss recent issues in this area.
Turfgrass & Ornamental Pest ID & Management
2024 turfgrass and ornamental pest id and management, with focus on Ambrosia Beetles. Presented by Dr. Shimat Joseph from the University of Georgia.
Turfgrass Disease ID & Management
2024 turfgrass disease ID and management: the latest research presented by Dr. Alfredo Martinez from the University of Georgia.
2024 Spring Greenup & Sod Survey Analysis
The University of Georgia's Dr. Clint Waltz will give the turfgrass outlook for spring and summer 2024 as well as his analysis of the 2024 sod survey data.
Improving Designs Using Native Plants
The popularity of native plants is surging, but using them in a residential design can be tricky. We will focus on three things:
- Examining our current landscape model
- Understanding how nature works
- Learning how we can adapt our model to work with nature for more long-term, successful and beautiful designs
Presented by Eric King, ASLA, of King Landscaping.
Bringing Order to Chaos
Come hear about creating systems that bring order from chaos… while minimizing errors, improving communications, and maximizing efficiency. Presented by Jenny Hardgrave, owner of Simply Flowers, Inc.
Seasonal Color for Spring
Scott Bernard of Flowerworx shares his tips for successful seasonal color projects, from start to finish: instructions for the crew, bed prep, trenching and tilling, composting, top dressing, planting order and spacing, mulching, and watering. Scott also provides photos of suggested container plant combinations as well as a demonstration of his method for planting a container. Deer, slugs, fungicides, and pre-emergents are also discussed.
2023 Spring Greenup & Sod Survey Analysis
Are you ready for spring? Is your turfgrass ready? Join Dr. Clint Waltz from the University of Georgia to discuss his observations on the December 2022 freeze, pest and disease issues, along with the annual Georgia sod producers inventory report.
Turfgrass IPM Strategies
Prevention is the most important integrated pest management (IPM) strategy for disease control, insect tolerance, and reducing weed competition. Most insects, diseases, and weeds that affect lawns can be minimized or avoided just by simply managing your grass properly. This presentation will give you the tools to maintain a healthy, stress-free turfgrass with improved pest tolerance and resilience. Presented by Paul Pugliese with University Extension.
Small Actions to Improve Ornamental Production
Common issues that can be easily fixed in ornamental production will be discussed including weeds, pests, disease, watering and fertilizing along with preventative actions that can be taken. Presented by Dr. Ping Yu from the University of Georgia.
Nutritional Problems in the Landscape
This session will focus on planting depth and drainage problems, excessive pruning and crowding, pH, nutrient imbalances, PGR toxicities, herbicide drift, abiotic stresses, etc. Presented by Dr. Bodie Pennisi from the University of Georgia.
Armyworms
Dr. Shimat Joseph from the University of Georgia will talk about the lifecycle, ecology, and seasonal occurrence of fall armyworm and other emerging pests, such as rhodesgrass mealybug or other scales. Particularly, Joseph will discuss the management options for these pests in turfgrass.
Water Management for Better Plant Health
In many instances, outdoor water use can be controlled and minimized with proper landscape design and plant selection. Learn how appropriate plant choices, healthy soils with appropriate grading, use of mulches, and limiting the use of high water-using plants can significantly reduce the need for supplemental irrigation. Disease and pest control will also be addressed in this session. Presented by Dr. John Ruter from the University of Georgia.
Landscape Contracts
Offer, acceptance, consideration, oh my! Do you need a contract? Does the contract you have say what you think it says? Have you protected yourself in case things do not go the way you planned? Presented by Elijah Craig and Evan Alberhasky, Stanton Law, LLC.
Science, Clients & Compliance
Meeting client expectations while following the science of best practices in horticulture and keeping up with a multitude of regulations can be daunting for the landscape practitioner. This session will highlight some of the most common regulatory requirements for the landscape professional and provide examples of how client expectations, regulations, and best practices in horticulture may collide. Requirements for pesticide application, (including pest and disease id and management) will be covered. Presented by Greg Huber from the University of Georgia.
Pruning Program
Organizing your tree and ornamental pruning program for maximum efficiency will help you better serve the customers, plants and the bottom line. Fertilizer, plant health troubleshooting and growth regulators will be discussed. Presented by Rick Smith, The Pruning Guru.
Invasive Species
Non-native invasive plants have detrimental impacts upon natural areas. Learn what the impacts are, the importance of managing them, and how to do so. The presentation will address non-native landscape ornamentals that have “escaped” into natural areas and out compete the native vegetation. Treatment options (herbicide use) will also be discussed. Presented by Brian Arnold of Songbird Landcare, Inc.
EEOC Discrimination
Christine Green and Elijah Davis, attorneys at Stanton Law, LLC, will provide key information to respond to EEOC complaints, including what to expect in the investigation phase, the purpose of a Position Statement, and how to prepare for potential litigation.
LED Landscape Lighting
Learn how to design a landscape lighting system to enhance the value of your customer’s landscapes. Topics include fixture selection as well as basic design and layout concepts, presented by Reid Garner, Jason Radake and Dirk Hessman from Hunter Industries, Inc.
Beyond Smart Controllers
Smart controllers often get all the press, but smart irrigation starts in the field with efficient design, products, and maintenance practices. Learn about upgrades to sell to your customers that will provide water savings and a quick ROI. Presented by Reid Garner, Jason Radake and Dirk Hessman from Hunter Industries, Inc.