Turf Education Day (TED)

7:15 AM – 8:15 AM
Check-In & Badge Pick-Up

8:15 AM – 8:30 AM
Welcome Remarks
Location: Auditorium
Brandon Burns, Kim Hartmann

8:30 AM – 8:45 AM
Landscape Illinois Advocacy Update – In the Weeds
Location: Auditorium
Scott Grams

8:45 AM – 9:30 AM
Morning Keynote
Impact of Climate Change on Turf Management for LCOs – A Peek into the Future
Location: Auditorium
Fred Yelverton, Ph.D., North Carolina State University

This presentation will cover basic concepts of a warming climate including the role of CO2 and nitrous oxides. Climate trends including 100 year averages of temperatures and rainfall. Impacts of a changing climate will be discussed in relation to turfgrass management and in particular, turfgrass pest management. Changing trends include management of pest incidence as well as pesticide use.

Sponsored by Russo Power Equipment

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Morning Break & Exhibitor Visits
Location: Atrium

Irrigation 101
Room 111
Brett Gold, American National Sprinkler & Lighting
Kevin Battistoni, Hunter Industries

This presentation covers the core principles of efficient irrigation tailored specifically for turf care. We’ll explore system components, proper scheduling, and water-saving strategies that enhance turf health while reducing waste. Learn how to identify common issues, understand the role of soil and weather in irrigation decisions, and optimize coverage for different turf types. Whether you’re new to irrigation or looking to refresh your knowledge, this session provides practical insights to improve system performance and client satisfaction. Equip your team with the tools to deliver greener, healthier turf with smarter water management.

Sponsored by SiteOne Landscape Supply

Sports Turf Management
Room 105
Ben Baumer, Assistant Groundskeeper, Chicago Bears Football Club

This talk will focus on the Sports side of the turf industry and how it differs from golf, lawn care, etc. There will be stories shared along with what Ben has learned over the years working in many different levels and sectors of the Sports Turf industry. This talk will also include a dive into how the Chicago Bears run their Sports Turf Operation, including their switch from Bluegrass to Bermudagrass. In addition to tips and tricks of what they have learned along the way, and any additional questions attendees may have.

Sponsored by ConservFS

Identification and Management of Winter Injury on Turfgrass Lawns
Auditorium
Paul Koch, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin–Madison

Winter injury is a general term that describes all the various types of injury that can occur on turfgrass over the winter. Certain turfgrass species are more susceptible to certain types of winter injury, and accurately identifying what winter factor has injured your turf can help you prevent it from occurring again. In this presentation, we will cover the primary types of winter injury on turfgrass lawns in the Midwest, provide strategies for preventing winter injury, and offer recommendations for recovery from winter injury.

Sponsored by SiteOne Landscape Supply

10:45 AM – 11:15 AM
Morning Break & Exhibitor Visits
Location: Atrium

Automated Mowers
Room 111
Joe Langton, Automated Outdoor Solutions

Following a successful tenure in snow removal, Joe established Automated Outdoor Solutions (AOS) in 2016, driven by the recognition of undervalued landscaping services. Utilizing his electrical expertise, Joe’s company assists professionals in optimizing “cost per acre” through robotic solutions. He will present insights derived from Langton Group’s deployment of over 400 robots, demonstrating how automation enhances service quality, alleviates staff burdens, and promotes superior turf health. Furthermore, Joe will elaborate on his industry mentorship and the expansion of AOS into golf course operations, forged through partnerships with prominent brands such as Echo, Nexmow, Kress, and Husqvarna. AOS additionally provides an exclusive ball wash and management system tailored for golf driving ranges.

Sponsored by Stihl, Inc.

Turf Health Impacts of Mulching Tree Leaves on Turf & Soil Health
Auditorium
Paul Koch, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin–Madison

Tree leaf collection is one of the most common fall landscape practices. Piling leaves at the curb contributes significant amounts of phosphorus to urban waterways and requires significant municipal resources to collect and dispose of them in a timely manner. Mulching tree leaves into lawns can be an efficient way to dispose of tree leaves that may also contribute nutrients and organic matter to home lawns, but concerns exist over the impacts of tree leaf mulching on turfgrass health. This presentation will summarize a 3-year study at the University of Wisconsin – Madison detailing the impacts of tree leaf mulching on turf and soil health.

Sponsored by Chemical Warehouse

Illinois Department of Agriculture Legislative & Regulatory Update
Room 105
Brad Beaver, Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA)

In this annual session, Brad will present the latest updates from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, with a focus on pesticide regulation, licensing, and certification developments. He’ll walk attendees through new policy changes affecting pesticide programs, and demonstrate any shifts in access to online training and testing platforms. The discussion will also cover emerging concerns regarding pesticide misuse, including recent updates to posting and notification requirements—ensuring turf professionals remain compliant and informed.

Sponsored by Contour Landscaping

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch
Location: Room 101

1:00 PM – 1:50 PM
Afternoon Keynote
A Review of CDGA Turfgrass Research Impactful to Lawns
Location: Auditorium
Dr. Derek Settle

The CDGA Turfgrass Program began in 1985 with the hiring of Dr. Randy Kane. For 20 years, Randy provided extension-based turfgrass plant pathology in Chicago. Randy was one of the first plant pathologists trained to identify fungal root rots of turfgrass, such as summer patch of Kentucky bluegrass. Therefore, early research efforts at the CDGA focused on maladies associated with turfgrass roots caused by fungi and nematodes. After the CDGA relocated to Midwest Golf House and built the Sunshine Course in Lemont (c. 2005),  its turf research efforts were able to expand. Today, under the direction of Dr. Derek Settle and Shehbaz Singh, CDGA Turf Program research areas now include: turfgrass variety trials, control of broadleaf and grassy weeds, as well as investigations of newer fungicides and nematicides. A historical review of research relevant to lawn care will be discussed.

Sponsored by Russo Power Equipment

1:50 PM – 2:00 PM
Afternoon Break

Management of Troublesome Turfgrass Weeds in Cool-Season Lawns
Auditorium
Fred Yelverton, Ph.D., North Carolina State University

Cool-season lawns face persistent challenges from weeds like annual bluegrass, nutsedge, and dallisgrass, which resist control and threaten turf quality. In this session, Dr. Fred Yelverton will share research-based strategies for managing these troublesome species through a combination of cultural practices and herbicide programs. Attendees will learn how weed biology, timing, and site conditions influence control success, and gain practical, science-driven tools to improve turf health and reduce weed pressure.

Sponsored by PBI Gordon

The Ins and Outs of Grub Control
Room 111
Nikki Hendrickson, Advanced Turf Solutions

Many factors can affect how well your grub application works. This session will cover basic life cycle and ID, along with things to consider when making the application, so you get the best control you can.

Sponsored by Clesens