Stresses & Pests in our Environment Today

Recertification Credits Available!

WHEN:

June 27, 2019

WHERE:

Tower Hill Botanic Gardens, 11 French Dr., Boylston, MA 508-869-9611

 

We invite you to attend the 2019 MALCP Summer Seminar.
Join Lawn Care and other Green Industry professionals in attendance for a day of informative and credited speakers,
an environment of networking and meeting with a variety of businesses and services, and much more information available to everyone in the industry.


AGENDA

“From the Lab to the Label to Application”, with Karen Reardon

Bio: Karen Reardon is Vice President of Public Affairs for Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE).

Reading labels is one of the most important activities of pesticide applicators. Are you up to speed? RISE’s Karen Reardon will discuss how specialty pesticide product labels are created, approved by U.S. EPA and become part of federal law. She will focus on how pesticide labels are purpose-built, and how and why to stay current with labels from season to season along with a description of the process that brings new product formulations from the lab, through the labeling process, through state registration and available for your pest and plant health programs.

 

“Hazards and Risks of Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases”, with Dr. Stephen Rich

Bio: Dr. Stephen Rich, is a Professor of Microbiology and Director of the Laboratory of Medical Zoology. He has more than 50 publications on disease causing microbes transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes. He has received numerous awards for his research and accomplishments. His work includes findings on the origins of human malaria and novel treatments for that deadly disease. He is also recognized as an authority on ticks and tick-borne disease, including Lyme disease. His laboratory has revolutionized tick-borne disease surveillance and risk assessment with the crowd-sourced Tick Report testing program

Dr. Rich’s presentation will provide an overview of the hazards and risks associated with human biting, as well as methods of control. The risk of Lyme and other diseases continues to increase along with the number of germs transmitted by these ticks, but there are ways of significantly reducing exposures to these hazards. Understanding fundamental aspects of the biology and ecology of these dangerous bugs is key. Dr. Rich will explain the biology of these hazards and describe appropriate personal protective measures that can greatly reduce risk, as well as provide insights into controlling the existence of ticks on the property.

 

“Maximizing Turfgrass Tolerance to Stresses and Pests using BMPs”, with Dr. Michelle DaCosta

Bio: Dr. Michele DaCosta is Assistant Professor of Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences.

Turfgrass plants under environmental stress are more likely to be impacted by damaging insects, diseases and weeds. Topics covered will include, how to distinguish whether turf decline or damage is due to pests or abiotic stressors, as well as BMPS to maximize turf pest and stress tolerance.

 

“Glyphosate: Science Says!”, with Dr. Kerry Richards

Bio: Dr. Kerry Richards has spent the past 30 years of her career focusing on pesticide safety and pesticide regulatory compliance. Currently her efforts as the National Pesticide Safety Education Center’s (NPSEC’s) as Educational Program Developer, her efforts focus on working with Pesticide Safety Education Program’s (PSEP’s) to identify existing educational resources and tools, in addition to developing new tools to meet the needs of PSEP coordinators. As an extension educator, Kerry’s goal has always been to present a balanced perspective of science-based information.

With the large settlements in Glyphosate cases in California, and the Environmental Protection Agency announcing their determination that Glyphosate is not considered a human carcinogen—how can applicators and consumers NOT be confused regarding the safety of the product. This presentation will take a chronological look at many aspects of how decisions have been made regarding Glyphosate the science and public perceptions behind those decisions. This presentation will also provide participants with resources to address questions they or their customers may have regarding Glyphosate.

 

“Water Quality – Potential effects on pesticide applications”, with Dr. Kerry Richards

Water often serves as the primary “carrier” in pesticide tank mixes. There are several aspects of water quality that can determine the success, or failure, of a pesticide application. The most significant of these is the pH of your water. This presentation will focus on how all of these factors can significantly determine the effectiveness of the pesticide application. Most importantly, are you getting the most for the money you spend on the pesticides you put in your tank?

Download PDF of Agenda


 

MALCP P.O. BOX 222, STOW, MA 01775

Fax: 978-897-7573 Email: malcp@yahoo.com

If you have any questions or need more information:

Karen Connelly 617-640-4846

Cliff Drezek 508-397-6006