Turfgrass Research Field Day
September 17, 2026
R.R. Foil Plant Science Research Facility (North Farm)
972 Highway 182, Starkville, MS
Fields with asterisk are required.
Who Should attend?
County Extension Agents, Lawn Care Professionals, Golf Course Managers, Sports Field Managers, Coaches, School Superintendents, Turf and Landscape Students, Landscape Architects. Homeowners are welcome, but the event is intended for industry professionals and county agents.
Where/When?
Where: 972 Highway 182, Starkville, MS 39759 (map)
When:Check-in and registration starts at 7:30 am. The event kicks off promptly at 8:30 am.
Can I register on-site?
Yes, $100 for Professionals or free for Extension Agents.
What if it rains?
Our contingency plan is to delay until rains have passed while having indoor learning activities at R. R. Foil Plant Science Research Center.
How can I sponsor?
Those interested in sponsoring the field day should contact Dr. Jay McCurdy, 662-325-2331 or visit our sponsor registration page.
Continuing Education
Pesticide applicator/CEU training will be held in newly renovated A.B. McKay building at 205 Technology Blvd. Attendees wishing to complete CEUs for the following states/entities must remain present until adjourning (AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, TN, TX, GCSAA, SFMA applied for). No exceptions will be made.
Agenda
| Time | Event | Speaker |
| 7:30 AM | Registration with coffee and pastries | |
| 8:30 AM | Weed Control | Jay McCurdy and Amy Wilber |
| 9:20 AM | Best Practices for the Best Grass | Barry Stewart |
| 10:10 AM | Breeding Better Grasses for Reduced Inputs | Marta Pudzianowska |
| 11:00 AM | Vendor Tradeshow Opens Technology Demonstrations | Featuring Jay McCurdy/Amy Wilber/and guests |
| Noon | Lunch | |
| | Pesticide applicator/CEU training will be held in newly renovated A.B. McKay building at 205 Technology Blvd. Attendees wishing to complete CEUs for the following states/entities must remain present until adjourning (AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, TN, TX, GCSAA, SFMA applied for). No exceptions will be made. | |
| 12:45 PM | Pesticide Safety, PPE, and Understanding the Pesticide Label | Beverly Catchot and Gene Merkle |
| 1:35 PM | Insect Pest Management in Turfgrass | Zia Williamson |
| 2:25 PM | Recertification Forms and Adjourn | |
For more information, contact Jay McCurdy at jdm269@msstate.edu or at 662.325.2331.
If you are looking to register as a sponsor, please visit the Sponsorship Registration
