More than ever, green industry professionals are looking for new solutions that can help them better manage some of the biggest landscape business expenses. Join us for this CEU workshop to learn about some of the latest solutions for your landscaping business including
- Positive business impact of Plant Growth Regulators.
- Watering for healthy landscapes - Weathermatic.
- Integrated Pest Management for the Landscape.
- Use of Microbials in the green industry – Horticultural Alliance.
Date: July 17th 2024
Time: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Location: The Benny J. Simpson Ecopark
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center
17360 Coit Rd, Dallas, TX 75252
Additional Details:
- TDA CEUs: Pending
- ISA CEUs: Pending
- Light Breakfast and Lunch Provided
- Free Event and Parking
Sponsors
Registration
Agenda
8:30 - 9:00 AM Registration / Sign In / Breakfast
9:00 - 9:10 AM Introduction
Jim Casey, Territory Manager, Rainbow Ecoscience
9:10 - 10:10 AM Justification Integrating Plant Growth Regulators into your business
Francisco Sicilia, Landscape Horticulturist Specialist, Rainbow Ecoscience
Landscape maintenance operations are challenged by labor shortages, increasing client expectations, and finding new ways to create enhancement opportunities. Plant growth regulators are an innovative landscape management tool which reduces pruning, enhances plant aesthetics, and offers opportunities for enhancement sales. During this session we will discuss real life examples of plant growth regulator use in commercial landscapes. By the conclusion of this talk attendees will be familiar with where plant growth regulators can be used to save labor, improve plant health as an enhancement service, and how to educate property owners.
10:30 - 11:30 AM Mastering the Art for Watering for Healthy Landscapes & Herbicide Management
Matthew Shreves, Technical Advisor, Weathermatic
In this one-hour session, we'll dive into the wonderful world of irrigation practices to transform your landscape maintenance game. Get ready for an engaging and fun-filled session where you'll discover the secrets of proper watering techniques for lawns and beds, empowering you to create thriving, envy-inducing landscapes while conserving water.
We'll kick things off with an exciting introduction, highlighting just how crucial irrigation is for maintaining those vibrant greens and picture-perfect flower beds. We'll unveil the key factors to consider, from climate and soil type to specific plant species, ensuring your watering approach is as tailored as a custom-made suit.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Integrated Pest Management in the landscape
Blake Thilmoney Gillis, Research Scientist, Rainbow Ecoscience
This talk introduces Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the landscape, focusing on diagnosing pest or disease issues and providing general treatment strategies. Attendees will learn about the principles of IPM, emphasizing prevention, monitoring, and intervention. The importance of preventive measures such as promoting plant health and biodiversity will be highlighted. The session also covers diagnosing pest and disease issues by identifying common signs and symptoms. Treatment strategies and protocols including frequently used active ingredients and key Rainbow Ecoscience products will be discussed. The talk aims to equip attendees with a foundational understanding of IPM, enabling them to identify, manage and treat pests and diseases in their landscape.
12:30 - 1:30 PM Lunch
1:30 - 2:30 pm Increased Use of Microbials in the Green Industry
Jon Oren, Regional Sales Manager Horticulture Alliance
Over the past few decades, microbial research has steadily increased for the green industry. The market has also recently trended upward with several large-scale acquisitions of microbial companies by synthetics manufacturers. The increased use of the biostimulants (both derived and naturally-occurring) appears to be a permanent fixture for several reasons: increasing costs of synthetic fertilizers, environmental concerns, regulatory demands and consumer health issues.
2:30 - 3:30 PM Navigating Pesticide Laws and Regulations
Blake Thilmoney Gillis, Research Scientist, Rainbow Ecoscience
This talk provides an overview of pesticide laws and regulations, introducing regulatory measures, product labeling and environmental protection laws. We will discuss pesticide legislation, examining key regulatory frameworks at both state and federal levels. This session will discuss Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compliance requirements. Key aspects of product labels such as signal words, personal protective equipment and storage and disposal instructions will be explored. We will highlight the importance of understanding and adhering to these regulations to apply products to your landscape safely and effectively.
