The NOFA Organic Land Care Program, a project of the Massachusetts and Connecticut chapters of the Northeast Organic Farming Association, will present a one-day, intensive Organic Lawn and Turf Course at Marblehead High School in Marblehead, MA on August 14, 2007 and at Manchester Community College in Manchester, CT on Augu st 16, 2007. Both courses run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The course will provide state-of-the-art information for managing lawns and turf organically and will include first-hand tours of Marblehead's and Manchester's organic athletic fields. In addition, the course includes hands-on demonstrations of lawn/turf equipment and materials, and a local, organic lunch.
The course is open to all land care professionals and groundskeepers for educational institutions and municipalities who are responsible for the establishment and care of grass. It will be taught by NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professionals, Donald Bishop of Gardens Are ...in Marlborough, MA, Mike Nadeau of Plantscapes, Inc. in Fairfield, CT and Chip Osborne of Lassana Osborne Natural Lawn & Turf Company and co-founder of the Living Lawn Project in Marblehead, MA. The course will also be taught by by scientists Thomas Akin of the USDA's NRCS and Dr. Kimberly Stoner of the CT Agricultural Experiment Station.
Chip, Don and Mike all have years of experience using organic methods. Chip created the organic management plan for Marblehead's athletic fields and is a nationally known speaker on organic turf management.
Come learn how to address the growing concerns about pesticide use on lawns and turf with successful organic methods and how to satisfy the growing demand for organic services. The fee for the course is $150 for the first person from a town or firm and $125 for each additional person. All registrants will receive a copy of the new 100-page NOFA Organic Lawn and Turf Handbook. Register early to guarantee your spot, and bring a colleague or two!
For more information on the course (including on-line registration), on the new Handbook or the NOFA program, visit