The National Coalition for Pesticide-Free Lawns is pleased to announce our Organic Land Care Basic Training for Municipal Officials and Transitioning Landscapers. This three-part training explains the Simple Steps to beginning an organic turf program and will cover the basic concepts, methods, and materials you need to get started. The training is geared toward school or park and recreation officials, however landscapers interested in transitioning are encouraged to attend.

The Program is taught by Chip Osborne, a professional horticulturist with over 30 years experience and an expert on building and transitioning turf to organic care. He is accredited by the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) in organic land care, and has attended the University of Massachusetts Green School for turf management. He converted his retail greenhouse operation to an organic management plan, designed and constructed Marblehead’s Living Lawn Demonstration site, and, as the elected Chairman of the Town of Marblehead, Recreation, Parks & Forestry Commission, is currently implementing an Organic Turf Management Plan for the town’s public lands, including all athletic fields.

Chip lectures nationwide on natural turf management, both to homeowners and municipalities, and has addressed the National Sports Turf Managers Association.

The registration for the live training is closed, but if you would like to listen and watch the three recorded hour-long sessions we are offering them at a cost of only $40 for municipal officials, and $90 for professional landscapers. You will not have a question and answer session with the instructor, but you will be given instructions on emailing any questions on the material covered to the moderator. Register

We will also be sponsoring a technical workgroup proceeding the training to assist attendees in transitioning their landscapes.

If you need more information or have questions call Beyond Pesticides at (202) 543-5450 or email info@beyondpesticides.org.