The Green Revolution;
An Organic Approach to Landscape Maintenance
Presented by
Clark University Physical Plant & East Coast Turf Products, Inc.

December 4, 2009
9 am – noon
Razzo Hall – Traina Center for the Arts
92 Downing Street, Worcester
RSVP by November 30 to Chip Pybas at 508 793 7391 or CPybas@clarku.edu
Parking next door at Peppercorns Grille

Speakers:

John Lown, President/CEO Earthgreen Products Inc.
Established in 1993 Earthgreen Products markets organic based plant nutrition products.
John will discuss:
• Going Green with the aid of organic based soil and plant nutrition amendments.
• Revitalize depleted soils.
• Reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Conform to governmental regulations for such.
• Water conservation through utilization of balanced organic supplements.
• Support plant health and development with biologically active soils and organic amendments.

Rob Saunders is Vice President of Sales for True Organics, a distributor of fertilizer and plant management product. Since graduating from University of Vermont with degrees in forestry and biology Rob worked for 10 years in the field as a tree, shrub, and lawn care technician. Based on his success with his organic turf care programs he created True Organics, a company that specializes in working with turf care professionals to develop sustainable and organic approaches into their maintenance regimens.

Rob will review the basic differences between traditional synthetic and organic turf care management by focusing on the practices utilized to transition into organic land care. Rob will review some basic soil science concepts including soil fertility and testing, pH management, and role of soil biology. Finally, he will share his practical field experience on how to address and manage common cultural and pest problems.

Jeff Thrasher is a sales representative for Nutrients PLUS, one of the largest organic and organic-based fertilizer manufacturers in the United States. Jeff has over 32 years of experience in the landscape industry and began working for Nutrients PLUS after his own success utilizing their fertilizers. With Nutrients PLUS he was able to reduce his large lawn care companies use of synthetic fertilizer and pesticides by over 80%.

Jeff will discuss research results from work being performed at Virginia Tech comparing the use of synthetic turf fertilizer with organic-based fertilizers. This research is proving the use of organic-based fertilizers and the technique of budgeting organic matter allow for a total nutrient reduction of approximately 30%. Jeff will also discuss the role of carbon and organic matter in the soil and how to quantify organic matter inputs with organic-based fertilizers to realize this nutrient input reduction.