Turfgrass professionals and enthusiasts are invited to the 48th Annual Kentucky Turf and Landscape Management Short Course at the Hardin County Extension Office in Elizabethtown on Feb. 18-20. The event—presented in partnership with the University of Kentucky’s Turfgrass Program and the Kentucky Horticulture Council—is the perfect opportunity to connect with seasoned professionals, discover the latest turfgrass and landscape research and deepen expertise in all facets of turf management.  

“The turfgrass industry is full of camaraderie from practitioners to academics,” said Kenneth Clayton, turfgrass extension associate in the UK Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. “I am thankful for colleagues who will be speaking, as well as those traveling in from out of state to share their knowledge. The turfgrass industry is a multibillion-dollar industry and UK has alumni working in it from Florida to Alaska.” 

The week kicks off on Tuesday, Feb. 18, with a pre-conference pesticide certification training for those preparing to take the Kentucky Pesticide Applicator’s Exam, followed by two days of educational sessions running from 8:50 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. 

Attendees will hear from UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment faculty, as well as experts from the University of Tennessee, Kansas State University, Virginia Tech, Eastern Kentucky University and industry representatives. Presentations will address all aspects of turf management for lawns, golf courses, sports fields and more.  

Six Continuing Education Units (CEUs) have been approved for each of the two main conference days, with category-specific points available in categories 3, 10, and 11, depending on the session track. In addition, CEUs have been requested from the Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee Departments of Agriculture, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the Professional Grounds Management Society. 

Those who plan to take the pesticide exam on Tuesday must also register separately with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Exam study materials can be accessed online through the UK Department of Entomology or obtained in printed form by contacting a local county extension office.  

Registration is currently available online for both sponsors and attendees, with discounted tickets priced at $65 per day until Friday, Feb. 14. On-site registration will be $85 per day.  

Participants are encouraged to register in advance to secure a reduced rate and ensure space. For more information, including the full conference program and the registration link, visit https://ukturf.ca.uky.edu/events/2025-ky-turf-landscape-management-short-course.  

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Writer: Jordan Strickler, jstrickler@uky.edu           

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