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FREE ORGANIC LAWN CARE WORKSHOP!
September 23rd, 6pm, Roudenbush Community Center
Organic lawn care is much simpler than it seems. We've become so used to the idea that a green, attractive lawn is attainable only through the use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides. The fact of the matter is: An organic living and healthy lawn will naturally stand up to many different conditions like weeds, insects, and disease.
Want to give it a try? The fall season is the best time of the year to make a change from synthetic chemical to organic fertilizers. So, why keep your family and pets at the risk. Join the workshop, and learn the basic steps in converting your lawn to an organic one.
Learn about soil conditions, lawn/turf seed selection, fertilization, and insect/disease control.
Sign-up today! Workshop will be held September 23, 2009, 6:00-7:30pm, Roudenbush Community Center.
Chester Mandrik (Founder of Yard Spice Organics, LLC) brings unique experience with over 30 years in the field, and has proven his abilities with two present organic lawn demonstration sites. He is an active member of the Massachusetts and New Hampshire Organic Farmers Association, Ecological Landscaping Association, and Beyond Pesticides Organization.
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GREENSCAPES MASSACHUSETTS
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT INFO: June 10, 2009 Kathy Litchfield
5th Annual NOFA Organic Lawn & Turf Course at UMass Amherst August 7, 2009
Course happens during the 35th Annual NOFA Summer Conference, Aug. 7-9, 2009!
AMHERST, MA – The NOFA Organic Land Care Program, a project of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) of Massachusetts, will hold the 5th annual NOFA Organic Lawn & Turf Course at UMass Amherst in Amherst, MA on Friday, August 7, 2009 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This one-day, intensive course will provide state-of-the-art information for managing lawns and turf organically and is geared toward land care professionals, groundskeepers and municipalities who are responsible for the establishment and care of grass, as well as anyone interested in learning organic methods.
The course will be taught by NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professional Donald Bishop of Gardens Are Inc. in Marlborough, MA, CT NOFA Executive Director Bill Duesing of Solar Farm Education in Oxford, CT, nationally renowned organic turfgrass educator Chip Osborne of Osborne Organics in Marblehead, MA, and entomological scientist Dr. Kimberly Stoner of the CT Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven, CT.
NEW THIS YEAR! The course will include a special section on Water Management and Conservation led by noted engineer and water conservation expert Amy Vickers, president of Amy Vickers & Associates Inc. of Amherst, MA. There will also be plenty of time for Q&A and networking. Lunch is provided.
All course participants will receive a copy of the NOFA Organic Lawn & Turf Handbook: Beautiful Grass Naturally, which serves as the course manual. This 100-page comprehensive, practical and easy-to-use reference manual was written and edited by scientists and experts in the field of organic lawn and turf care, this book covers what landscapers, landscape designers, municipal staff and homeowners need to know to grow natural and organic lawns. Topics include: Why Organic? Site Analysis, Soil Health, Cultural Practices, Weeds, Insects, Diseases, Obtaining Materials and Equipment, Running a Business, Client Relations and much more.
The NOFA Organic Lawn & Turf Course is happening concurrently with the 35th annual NOFA Summer Conference at UMass Amherst. The Summer Conference features over 170 workshops on organic growing along with two keynote presentations, a country fair, evening entertainment, music, dancing, special children and teens’ conferences and much more! Visit www.nofasummerconference.org for more info!
The NOFA Organic Lawn & Turf Course costs $150 for the first person from a firm/town and $125 each additional person. Sat/Sun NOFA Summer Conference registrants receive a $30 discount on the combined registration fees. For more information or to register, visit www.organiclandcare.net or www.nofasummerconference.org. With questions, please contact Kathy Litchfield, NOFA/Mass OLC Program Coordinator, at (413) 773-3830 or kathy@nofamass.org.
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The Toxics Use Reduction Institute at UMass Lowell awarded its 2007 Champions of Toxics Use Reduction to the Westford Water Department at a Massachusetts State House ceremony. The award was received for the Healthy Lawns for Healthy Families Program.
Pictured are Water Department Environmental Compliance Manager Jessica Cajigas, Representative Geoffrey D. Hall, TURI Project Manager Joy Onasch, and Senate Aide to Senator Panagiotakos James Arciero.
Healthy Lawns for Healthy Families
The Water Department has been actively involved in supporting pesticide awareness efforts in Westford and other neighboring towns. Toxics use reduction can help to protect our water resources.
Go to [Link]www.healthylawnsforhealthyfamilies.com for more information and upcoming opportunities. In addition, please check the J.V. Fletcher Library for "Our Children at Risk", a documentary about how toxins in our environment can be harmful to our children and pets.
Westford Pesticide Policy Committee
The Water Department has been actively involved in the Town of Westford Pesticide Policy Committee. The Committee commits itself to the goal of minimizing the use of toxic pesticides on town-owned land and promoting the elimination or reduction of these materials on private property. The Committee, composed of town residents, has developed a draft pesticide policy for Town-owned land. Appointed Town staff serve on the Committee in an advisory capacity. The Water Department's Environmental Compliance Manager, Jessica Cajigas, serves as the Committee’s Chairperson.
A draft policy was presented and approval by the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Health. The policy was developed with the long-term goal of protecting public health and maintaining balanced and healthy ecosystems for the Town of Westford. Short-term goals include eliminating or reducing the use of toxic pesticides on Town-owned land; encouraging the elimination or reduction of the use of pesticides on private property; and promoting and educating Town personnel and the public on natural, organic management practices to prevent and control pest problems on both Town-owned and private land.
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