NYSTA Holds Conferences
The New York State Turfgrass Association held its western regional conference in Buffalo, N.Y. Roundtable discussion topics included finance, turf, ground covers, IPM, plant health, regulatory issues, fuel storage and more. Richard Buckley, director of soil testing and plant diagnostic services at Rutgers University, presented Basic Turf Diseases: Pick Your Best Defense. Representatives from NYS DEC and the Erie County Health Department gave regulatory updates and discussed common violations to avoid.
NYSTA’s Adirondack regional conference was held in Lake Placid, N.Y. Speakers included Dr. Patricia Vittum, University of Massachusetts, who gave an update on grubs and managing pesticide resistance, and Dr. Marty Petrovic, Cornell University, who presented a session on soil testing interpretation. Roundtable discussions included turfgrass insects, pesticide use and integrated pest management, equipment leasing vs. buying, irrigation sensor technology and turf recovery from winter injury.
CNYSNLA Holds Flower & Garden Show
The Central New York State Nursery & Landscape Association hosted CNY Blooms in Syracuse, N.Y. The event, with a theme of Unveiling Spring, featured more than a dozen landscaped garden displays and a variety of related activities, including competitions, how-to seminars with local garden and landscape professionals and more than 100 exhibitors. New additions this year were a Children’s Discovery Garden and an Artisans Garden. Donald J. Leopold, professor at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, served as keynote speaker.
NJLCA Holds Membership Meetings
The New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association hosted membership meetings covering a variety of topics. National Lawn Equipment, Mahwah, N.J., hosted the February Region 1 meeting, sponsored by Storr Tractor. The event included a safety presentation and equipment presentations from Vern Warta, Steve McHenry and Rick Shreib. The March Region 1 meeting featured Frank Benedetto, of Bergen County Consumer Affairs, discussing the Home Improvement Contractor Registration Act and related laws, and Gerard Marini, speaking about substance abuse in the workplace.
Shemin Nurseries, Branchburg, N.J., hosted the February Region 2/3 meeting, which featured presentations from Jeff Domenick, NDS, on drainage in landscaping, and from Unilock representatives on pavers, retaining walls and outdoor living features. The March meeting offered Marini’s substance abuse presentation, along with a presentation from Jody Shilan on common mistakes contractors make before, during and after a sales pitch.
“
