Extension Meets Educational Needs for Local Turf Professionals

Bringing Knowledge to Life! / Partner Report / Alger County
413 Elm Avenue Suite 5
Munising, Michigan 49862
Phone: 906-387-2530 / E-mail:
Fax: 906-387-2710
Web: msue.msu.edu/alger
Director: Jim Isleib
April 2010

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

Extension meets educational needs for local turf professionals

Grass is often taken for granted in home, commercial and public landscapes, but turf often makes up most of the picture in a well-planned and managed landscape. Turf conditions are obviously important in the golfing industry, but turf professionals are employed in many other areas, including local government, school systems and the lawn care and landscaping industries.

About 130 people in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula currently hold commercial turf pesticide applicator certification with the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA). Each of them has passed state examinations to gain certification and must become recertified every three years to maintain that status.

Certified applicators can purchase and use pesticides on turf, including weed, insect and disease control products. Applicators can earn recertification by taking an exam or by attending state-approved educational programs to accumulate at least 16 educational credit hours.

Turf professionals have few, if any, industry-sponsored educational opportunities in the Upper Peninsula. This need is more keenly felt by the small businesses and local government units who cannot afford to send employees to distant seminars. In response, Alger County MSU Extension director Jim Isleib developed an educational seminar featuring MSU turf experts, MDA officials, local turf professionals and an industry representative.

The daylong program took place in December in Marquette area and was supported through participant registration fees.

To cover presenter expenses, lunch and other costs, Isleib had to charge an $80 registration fee, higher than any past fee. Enrollment of 28 people covered expenses, with almost $45 to spare. This response convinced Isleib that the programming is of vital interest to this group of highly specialized applicators.

An evaluation following the program showed that:

· All topics were relevant and of good quality. Topics most directly related to routine turf management, including weed and insect control were perceived as best by respondents.

· Respondents indicated the greatest change in their confidence related to topics they were least familiar with prior to the seminar. Participants noted demonstrated increased confidence in understanding all topics except MDA regulations following the program.

· The main reason for attending was to “gain knowledge for job-related reasons”. The next reason was to “acquire recertification credits toward MDA pesticide applicator certification renewal”.

· All participants indicated that the seminar was a valuable learning experience.

Other comments in the evaluation included:

§ “[It’s] nice to have a seminar in Marquette,”

§ “[I] hope to have more like today’s in the U.P.,”

§ “I was very pleased, best one yet.”

These comments reflect the ongoing importance of providing affordable, local educational opportunities for commercial turf managers.

MSU Extension builds on local partnership with Michigan Department of Agriculture

In addition to training seminars for turf managers, Alger County MSU Extension partners with local and regional staff in MDA’s Plant, Pesticide and Pest Management Division (PPPM) to provide other key services to area businesses and communities.

David White, PPPM inspector based in Alger County, works with Isleib to hold an annual training program for commercial pesticide applicators who work in forestry, right-of-way maintenance and ornamental plants. This year’s training was held on March 19 in the Munising area, and included a segment on aquatic plant problems.

White and Isleib also offer commercial and private pesticide applicators (farmers) the chance to prepare for exams at a four-hour study session conducted by Isleib, followed immediately by the state exams (proctored by White). For those who choose to earn recertification through education credits, the study session offers another local opportunity to earn education hours.

With the recent closure of MDA field offices across the state, local PPPM staff must find new facilities to hold exams. This situation falls neatly within the long-standing cooperative arrangement between local MSUE and MDA staff. White offers exams on a regular schedule at the Alger County MSU Extension office.

Occasionally, fate offers unexpecting people a ‘plum’ as a reward for hard work. In June 2009, Isleib and White were invited to provide a training program and state exam opportunity for National Park Service personnel on Isle Royale. The U.S. Department of Interior provided transportation and lodging for Isleib and White and the program date was based on the island’s ferry schedule.

They left on Thursday, conducted their program on Monday, and took the first available ferry back to Copper Harbor on Tuesday. In their free time, they enjoyed one of the most beautiful spots in North America, with a wild moose making frequent visits to their guest quarters.

The recent identification of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in the Munising area has led to another opportunity for cooperation. Isleib assisted with an MDA information meeting in Munising on April 14.

He will also serve as an information source for community members with questions about EAB, connecting them with state officials when needed.

Annual 4-H banquet provides kids a chance to shine

The Annual 4-H Recognition Banquet was held on October 16. It included a presentation from two of the 30 Alger County teens who attended 4-H Exploration Days, the statewide career development event held each summer on the MSU Campus. The presentation not only gave the presenters the chance to build their public speaking skills, it also stirred a great deal of interest in 4-H’ers who have not yet attended the event.

Alger County’s first participant in the 4-H/LABO exchange program with Japan also presented a slide show of pictures from his trip to Japan. He wore a traditional article of clothing and explained its significance. He also answered questions from the audience. As a result of his presentation, one eight-year-old in the audience said, "I am going to Japan someday!"

4-H member record books are displayed during the banquet. A judging committee was formed and, using a rubric, each book was judged the week before. The criteria used include the member's 4-H story, projects summary, 4-H participation, non 4-H activities, photos and newspaper clippings and overall appearance. This provides the youth, ages 9 and up, the opportunity to showcase what they have done over the past year as well as be recognized for their presentation of it.

Upcoming Events:

· April 22 (and Thursdays thru May), noon - Casserole

and Community program at Munising Senior Center

· April 24 – U.P. 4-H Archery Invitational, Bark River

· April 27 – Grafting class, NICE Community Schools, Ishpeming

· April 29 – Home orchard class, Autrain Community Center

· May 25—Munising Farmers’ Market opens for the season