2026 Turfgrass and Technology Conference

2026 Conference Agenda

CURRENTLY APPROVED CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS:

NCICLB:

• Business Hours:2.00

NCLCLB:

• Business Hours:4.00
• Landscape Hours: 1.00

NCDA PESTICIDE CREDITS: B : 2.0, I :2.0, L : 2.0, N : 2.0, D : 2.0, X : 2.0

GCSAA : 0.50

NCBOLA: 2.38 Hours

January 28, 2026 – Conference Agenda

Conference Sessions

• 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Networking Hour and Roundtable Discussions
  • Format: Structured, peer-to-peer learning focusing on critical regulatory and safety topics
  • Focus Areas: Safety (application safety, risk minimization) , Regulatory Compliance (latest rules, record-keeping) , and Chemical Management (secure storage, disposal, documentation).
• 10:20 AM – 11:10 AM: Advanced Weed Mgmt: Reducing Environmental Risk
  • Speaker: Navdeep Godara, PhD. (Assistant Professor, Turf & Forage Weed Science Education) .
  • Focus: In-depth coverage of advanced Herbicide Programs (e.g., Poa annua resistance) , optimizing control through decision-making on application timing, and highlighting Targeted Application Technologies to reduce herbicide inputs and enhance sustainability.
• 11:20 AM – 12:10 PM: Keynote (Part 1): The 7 Stolon’s of Leadership
  • Speaker: Alpha Jones, CSFM (Athletic Field Specialist, Duke University).
  • Focus: Introduction to a turfgrass-inspired framework for professional mastery. Deep dive on foundational values: Work Ethic, Accountability, and Communication.
• 12:10 PM – 1:40 PM: Trade Show, Lunch and Business Meeting
  • Activity: Opportunity to engage with vendors, explore advancements in irrigation, safety practices, and equipment.
• 1:40 PM – 2:30 PM: Keynote (Part 2): Applying The 7 Stolon’s of Leadership
  • Speaker: Alpha Jones, CSFM (Athletic Field Specialist, Duke University).
  • Focus: Moves from foundational concepts to practical, technical application. Connects the stolon’s to Pesticide Management (ethical decision-making) and Public Health (crisis response, resource allocation).
• 2:40 PM – 3:30 PM: Boosting Efficiency: The Tech-Driven ROI
  • Speakers: Panel including Ray McCauley, Ph.D. (Turfgrass Extension Associate, NCSU) and Kevin Herrmann (Region Director, Fairway Green).
  • Focus: Highly actionable, metric-driven panel on maximizing profitability and efficiency. Discusses core metrics like Chemical Savings ($/Acre) Using Modeling and Revenue Per Hour Per Tech (RPHT).
• 3:40 PM – 4:30 PM: The TCNC Talent Pipeline: Building Your Workforce from the Ground Up
  • Speaker: Marcy Cottle (Elucid8 Strategy).
  • Focus: Strategic framework for maximizing talent and solving chronic labor issues. Guides participants through developing a structured onboarding program, leveraging new resources for TCNC Members.

** Credits pending.