Registration Now Open for MASFMA Spring Event - March 5, 2026 (Fair Hill, MD)
Dear Members, Sponsor and Guests,
Registration is now open to attend MASFMA's Annual Spring Event at Fair Hill scheduled for March 5, 2026.
Event Notes:
- Members attend for free, but you must renew your 2026 membership first
- Guest ticket(s) are $50 per person
- 2026 Annual Sponsors attend for free
- Earn CEUs in pesticide and fertilizer certification in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and Washington DC
- Continental breakfast and catered lunch
Event Highlights:
- This educational event is a joint effort between the University of Delaware and University of Maryland Turfgrass Extension programs, the turfgrass industry, and MASFMA.
- Fair Hill is located in the previous William du Pont Estate that covers 5,600 acres in the rolling hills of northeast Maryland. It is a top-tier venue for steeplechasing and international three-day eventing and is a world-renowned training facility for race horses on turf tracks. Participants will view the turf track at Fair Hill and learn about the maintenance practices employed for this premier equestrian venue.
AGENDA:
7:00 – 7:45 Registration and Breakfast
7:45 – 8:00 MASFMA, Welcome to Spring Education Event
8:00 – 8:15 Welcome to Fair Hill, Trish Brown, MD Department of Natural Resources
8:15 – 9:00 1st Presentation
Title: Turfgrass Management Operations at Fair Hill
Presenters: Mike Urich, Hummer Turfgrass Systems, and Mike Boekholder, Boekholder and Associates
Topic Overview: Matt and Mike will discuss the different management strategies with regards to turf track maintenance at Fair Hill. This presentation will not only include fertility and pest management practices but other maintenance practices and field testing that is required to promote a safe track for both the riders and horses.
9:00 – 9:15 BREAK
9:15 – 10:00 2nd Presentation
Title: Using Soil Testing Data to Develop State and Regional -Level MLSN Guidelines (DE_MLSN)
Presenter: Mr. John Emerson, Extension Nutrient Management and Pesticide Safety Agent, University of Delaware
Topic Overview: The Minimal Levels of Sustainable Nutrition (MLSN) is a guideline for turfgrass professionals to follow regarding fertility programs. However, to cover more specific Delaware soil conditions field research has been conducted to better adjust MSLN guidelines to Delaware conditions (DE-MLSN). The presentation will also cover the limitations in traditional soil testing and fertilizer recommendations and why DE_MLSN is a better fertility resource.
10:00 – 10:15 BREAK
10:15 – 11:00 3rd Presentation
Title: Major Insect, Disease, and Weed Pests of Turf
Presenters: Dr. Kevin Mathias, Retired Turfgrass Instructor at University of Maryland and current Executive Director of MASFMA, and Geoff Rinehart, Turfgrass Extension Agent and Instructor at University of Maryland.
Topic Overview: Survey results of the major pest problems encountered by field managers at sports turf, home lawns, golf courses and sod farm operations in the Fall of 2023 will be discussed. Also, the major types of control actions that were used will be covered. The 2025 growing season in the Mid-Atlantic area saw record breaking humidity, extremes in Spring rainfall, and late season drought conditions. What effect did our 2025 weather have on pest problems in the Mid-Atlantic area?
11:00 – 11:15 Advocacy Updates
11:15 – 12:15 LUNCH
12:15 – 12:30 Awards and Scholarship Presentation
12:30 - 1:15 4th Presentation
Title: Selecting Cultivars Based on IPM and Fertility Management: An update on NTEP and a Potential USDA Turfgrass Survey
Presenter: Mr. Kevin Morris, Executive Director, National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP)
Topic Overview: NTEP coordinates numerous turfgrass field trials throughout the United States to evaluate different turfgrass species and cultivars with regards to overall performance. Their evaluations look at overall turfgrass quality and also other parameters such as disease and insect resistance, drought hardiness, mowing height tolerances and fertilizer requirements that impact turfgrass stand density and ultimately weed encroachment. Also, hear about the potential of the first USDA national turfgrass survey, which can lead to documentation of acreage, value, employment and numbers of lawns, athletic fields, parks, and golf courses.
1:15 – 2:00 Conclusion and Optional Tour of the Fair Hill Turf Track
CEU / CFA Credits:
DC 3A - Exterior Ornamental Plants - 4 CEUs
DC 3B - Lawn & Turf - 4 CEUs
DC 7A - Industrial/Institutional/Structured - 4 CEUs
DC 7B - Wood Destroying Organism - 4 CEUs
DC 7F - Industrial Weed - 4 CEUs
DE Nutrient Management - 2 CEUs
DE Pesticide - Cat. 03: - 2 CEUs
MD Pesticide - (Categories 3A, 3C, 10) - 8 CEUs
MD Nutrient Management - 2 CEUs
VA Pesticide - Categories 3-B (24), 60 (60)
VA Fertilizer - 2 CFAs
