Pest Management of Landscape Turf

Improve your ability to troubleshoot pest problems and manage weeds, diseases, and insects that negatively affect turfgrass.

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Gloved hands of landscaper inspecting turfgrass for signs of insects, disease, or weeds

Course Status Notice – Not Scheduled

We do not have an offering of this course scheduled at this time. Please join our email list to be notified when the next offering is scheduled!

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Course Details

Course Name: Pest Management of Landscape Turf
Course Code: AL0403CA25
Date of Most Recent Offering: March 28, 2025

Date: March 28, 2025 UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Time: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm (Check-in time: 8:30 am) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Location: Bioresource Engineering Laboratory (formerly ECC), 18 Ag Extension Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (Directions & Map) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Format: Classroom course UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Registration Fee: $210 per person UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Early Bird Discount Fee: $195 per person (March 21, 2025) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Registration Closes: March 26, 2025 This class is sold out! Join the waitlist. UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Course Overview

Certificate iconThis class is part of the Landscape Management Certificate Program and the Public Grounds Management Certificate Program.

Troubleshooting pest problems is a skill customers expect (and demand) from landscape professionals and public grounds managers. Weeds, diseases, and insects are ready to attack weak turf and create an eyesore.

In this one-day class, you’ll learn how to effectively diagnose and treat insect, disease, and weed problems in turf. Instructors Rich Buckley (Director of the Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory), and Matt Elmore (Extension Specialist), make this class both fun and practical.

Who Should Attend?

Anyone interested in getting involved in pest control in turfgrass environments can benefit from taking this course. Past participants have included:

  • Arborists
  • Cemetery Grounds and Maintenance Workers
  • Gardeners
  • Golf Turf Superintendents and Grounds Crew
  • Landscape Contractors
  • Nursery Owners
  • Parks Supervisors and Crew Members
  • Pesticide Applicators
  • Public Works Supervisors and Crew Members
  • School Buildings and Grounds Supervisors and Crew Members

Meet Your Instructors

Rich Buckley, Rutgers University

Headshot of instructor Rich Buckley

Rich Buckley runs the Plant Diagnostic Lab and Nematode Detection Service at the Ralph Geiger Turfgrass Education Center at Rutgers. With decades of experience working in one of the leading diagnostic labs in the country, he is highly regarded as a leader in the field of turfgrass problem solving. After earning his BS in Entomology and Plant Pathology from the University of Delaware, Richard Buckley received an MS in Turfgrass Pathology from Rutgers University. In 2006, he received the Rutgers Turfgrass Alumni Association Achievement Award. In 2012, he was awarded the New Jersey Turfgrass Association Recognition Award.

Dr. Matthew Elmore, Rutgers University

Headshot of instructor Dr. Matthew Elmore

Matt Elmore is an Assistant Extension Specialist in Weed Science with the Rutgers University Department of Plant Biology. Matt earned his B.S. in Turfgrass Science from Penn State University before moving south and earning an M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee with a focus in turfgrass weed control. Prior to joining Rutgers, Matt was a Turfgrass Extension Specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife in Dallas, TX, where his research efforts explored new strategies to control problematic weeds and reduce irrigation inputs in turfgrass. His program at Rutgers will focus on novel strategies to control weeds with fewer pesticide inputs. The program will also focus on developing alternatives to synthetic pesticides and understanding the influence of management practices on weed competitiveness.

Student Reviews

“Good, well-rounded coverage of diseases, insects, and weeds, as well as effective options for treating.”

– Past Participant

Most useful aspect of the course: “Learning how to identify insects and what kind of damage they do to turf.”

– Past Participant

On instructor Rich Buckley: “I could listen to him talk about this subject all day. Perfect delivery of subject.”

– Past Participant

Continuing Education Credits

The most recent offering of Pest Management of Landscape Turf was approved for 5.5 contact hours and the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.

The Pest Management of Landscape Turf course (5.5 contact hours) is approved for the following credits from professional organizations.

State of New Jersey map iconNew Jersey

NJ / CT Pesticide Applicator Credits: 11 units in 3B; 8C; PP2, 04 units in 6B

NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 6.5 Technical CEUs (DLGS-RUCPE23-32)

DE Pesticide Applicators: If you need pesticide credits in this state, you must register and notify Joe Canzano at least 45 days before the course start date. Call 848-932-7317 or send an email to joe.canzano@rutgers.edu.

Meals

No breakfast will be provided. Lunch will be available for pre-registered attendees only.

NOTE: If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please alert us at least two (2) weeks in advance of the course start date so that we can make reasonable accommodations. We cannot guarantee accommodations for special requests made after that time.

Course Requirements and Policies

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Please visit our policies page for the latest information.

Red checkmark in circle iconPre-registration/Walk-Ins

Pre-registration is required. We’re sorry, but we cannot guarantee a seat, materials, or meals for walk-in registrants.

Icon of map marker over folded mapLocation Changes

Location is subject to change; registrants will be notified in the event of a change.

Red car iconCampus Parking Policy

All visitors must register their vehicles ONLINE to park on campus. Please follow the guidelines below. Failure to comply with these policies may result in a citation.

  • A link to register your vehicle will be provided in your course confirmation email. Please be sure to complete this important step prior to traveling to campus.
  • When you park on campus, be sure that your license plate is unobstructed and visible from the driving aisle.
  • All Rutgers faculty/staff/students must use their regular Rutgers permit and park in the nearest lot assigned for their permit type.

email iconEmail Requirement

A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.

  • If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
  • If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
    • Your full name
    • The shared email address that needs to be changed
    • Your unique email address
    • A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions

x icon with circle around itCancellations and Substitutions

A $35 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.

Attention U.S. Veterans

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This course is approved by the New Jersey State Approving Agency for Veterans Training for educational benefits through the GI Bill®. Learn more.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about Pest Management of Landscape Turf, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Headshot of Rutgers Program Coordinator Joe Canzano

Program Coordinator: Joe Canzano
848-932-7317
joe.canzano@rutgers.edu

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Administrative Assistant: Damiana Parada
848-932-7107
damiana.parada@rutgers.edu

For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

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Lawn covered with Dandelion weeds

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