University of Massachusetts Turfgrass

10/05/2026

UMass Extension’s 2026 Green School: Turf Management Track in the Spotlight

UMass Extension’s Green School is a comprehensive 60+ hour certificate short course that offers fundamental land care skills training in a compact time frame designed for professional practitioners in the land care industries.

Choose one of three specialty tracks!
🏡 Landscape Management
☘️ Turf Management
🌳 Arboriculture

Spotlight on the Turf Management Track:
Green School's Turf Management Track promotes both functional and aesthetic turf performance with minimal impact of management practices on human health, natural resources, and the greater environment while conveying a strong framework of research-based management fundamentals.

This track is most appropriate for professionals including landscapers, lawn care personnel, municipal and private groundskeepers, and others wishing to receive fundamental, in depth-training on the care of turf in the landscape.

Green School will be entirely online on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons from 10/27 - 12/17 (The next available class will run Oct-Dec 2028).

Move your career or business forward and achieve better results more efficiently and more responsibly!

Learn more and register!
http://ag.umass.edu/greenschool

10/01/2026

The Intro to Turf Management class completed a 75-minute lawn renovation last week. They will monitor the establishment of Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall and fine fescue throughout the semester. Many hands make quick work!

09/18/2026

Dollar spot can remain active - or resurge - in late fall when mild temperatures, high humidity, and prolonged leaf wetness persist. Late-season outbreaks can be particularly problematic because turf growth and recovery slow as temperatures decline, allowing symptoms to persist through winter and potentially affect spring appearance.

Read more about contributing factors and management considerations in Management Updates: Finish the Season Strong: Watch for Late-Fall Dollar Spot

https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/turf/management-updates-september-17-2026

Message and Photo Submitted by: Dr. Geunhwa Jung, Turfgrass Pathologist, UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture

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09/08/2026

Winter School is a 110+ hour certificate program designed to convey essential concepts for producing and maintaining well performing turf surfaces, with emphasis on environmental stewardship, input reduction, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility, running from January 5 - March 1, 2027.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, through October 18, or until full, with priority consideration given to applications received by September 30.

Demand greatly exceeds capacity therefore early applications are strongly encouraged for the best possibility of being offered a seat.

Direct application questions to Jason Lanier at [email protected]

Learn more!
https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/turf/education-events/university-of-massachusetts-winter-school-for-turf-managers

08/24/2026

Mark your calendar!

The application period for the 2027 UMass Winter School for Turf Managers opens Tuesday, September 8.

Demand exceeds capacity, so be sure to apply as early as possible for the best shot at a seat in this popular program!

Soon the leaves will fall, the mowers will be put away, and the snow will fly. How will you advance your career progress in this off-season?

Learn more at http://ag.umass.edu/winterschool

08/11/2026

UMass Extension offers two certificate programs for those looking to expand their turf knowledge and skills. Both start within the next several months.

➡️ Swipe to compare the differences!

⬇️ Ask your questions below!


Green School registration is now open! Learn more about Green School and register online:
http://ag.umass.edu/greenschool

Learn more about Winter School for Turf Managers and return in early September to apply online:
http://ag.umass.edu/winterschool

07/29/2026

After much internal discussion and debate, we have some options to finally name our robots!

We appreciate all the creative names you supplied, and narrowed it down to these choices. Vote for your favorite in the comments or rank them in our strawpoll! 😃

https://strawpoll.com/e2naX27alyB

1. Surf and Turf
2. Choptimus Prime and Clipitron
3. Levi and Troll
4. Larry and Carl
5. Chomp and (Chomp) Jr.
6. Minutemow Sam and Stocky
7. Mowey McMowface and Colonel Clippy

07/23/2026

As we enjoy peak summer, are you thinking ahead to how you'll spend your winter season? Consider investing in your career development with the UMass Winter School for Turf Managers!

The application period will open no later than September 8 (watch for later announcements), and early applications are strongly encouraged owing to high demand and limited seating.

Course information is at http://ag.umass.edu/winterschool

Photo by Toby Harvey

07/23/2026

With the World Cup over, its time for stadiums to get back to the daily grind, hosting professional NFL games and other events!

Check out this interview with Dan Patrick of NBC Sports, where UMass Turf alum Nick Pappas discusses some of that process!

NFL Field Director, Nick Pappas, joins Dan Patrick for insight into the grass vs. turf debate, advancements in technology to create a friendly surface, and much more.

07/17/2026

Just like the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, our alumni are second to none!