Wednesday, August 5, 2026
8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Ohio Turfgrass Research & Education Center
2551 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210
Join us for the 2026 OLCA Field Day! This revitalized event is packed with hands-on learning for lawn care professionals across Ohio, ensuring that everyone comes away with new knowledge and experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with peers, hear from experts, and gain insights to support your business.
If you are not currently a member and are interested in joining OLCA, Join or Renew to get started.
OLCA MEMBERS:
•$65 for the first registrant
•$55 for each additional registrant from the same company
•$75 per OLCA member for ON-SITE
Group Discount
Group of 5 or more receive one additional registration free - use promocode Field5 at checkout
Group of 8 or more receive two additional registrations free - use promocode Field8 at checkout
NON-MEMBERS:
•$100 per person
•$110 per person ON-SITE
Supplier and Equipment Showcase
$250 per 20'x20' area
Set-up is 8:00 am; tear down after 2:00 pm
Education Topics
Pump Up the Volume: Spray volume, Nozzle Selection, and Coverage – What Does it All Mean - Explore how carrier volume, spray pressure, and nozzle selection influence pesticide application effectiveness. Through live demonstrations using sprayers, water-sensitive paper, and various nozzle types, attendees will observe how application techniques impact coverage, drift potential, and overall product performance, while learning practical strategies to improve application accuracy and efficacy.
Ed Nangle, Ph.D., The Ohio State University
CORE (credit pending)
Ed Nangle, Ph.D., holds a doctorate in Horticulture and Crop Science with interest in turfgrass physiology. Ed has worked in the turfgrass industry around the world all his life with stops in places such as Ireland, South Carolina, Australia, Florida and Chicago amongst his career experiences. As an Associate Professor in Turfgrass Science and Physiology at The Ohio State University / ATI in Wooster OH he teaches introductory turfgrass management classes as well as introductory plant physiology classes, pesticide handling, turf and ornamental diseases and turfgrass cultural practices to students interested in golf course, sports field management and lawncare careers. He has a specific interest in light, plant health and agronomic practices and the impact they all have on turfgrasses in a range of situations. He supports the turfgrass industry in Ohio as the Director of Education Ohio Lawncare Association and consults with superintendents and lawncare operators on pest related issues as well as carrying out research trials evaluating a range of products. Dr. Nangle is also involved with the Irish Sportsturf Institute where he serves as director of research. He has published work on turfgrass pigments and UV light responses, shade management strategies and nozzle selection for crabgrass control to mention a few.
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Turf’s Up: Dig, Sample and Identify Like a Pro - Turf ID – Session Description Coming Soon!
Pam Sherratt, The Ohio State University
Category 8 (credit pending)
Pam Sherratt teaches sports turf and plant science classes at The Ohio State University. Currently, she manages online certificates for industry professionals, writes a column for the national Sports Field Managers Association (SFMA) magazine, and speaks at state, national and international conferences. She serves on the OTF Education Committee, OSFMA Board, and SFMA Subject Experts Committee. Pam conducts Extension & outreach efforts in sports turf and some applied research in sports turf management. __________________________________________________________________________________
Oops, They Did it Again: Lawn Boo-Boos – Customer Edition - Lawn “boo-boos” can result from environmental stress, pest activity, improper cultural practices, or pesticide application errors. This session will discuss how turfgrass management practices influence common biotic and abiotic problems found in residential and commercial lawns. Attendees will learn to identify symptoms of turf injury, distinguish between disease, insect, weed, and environmental issues, and review best management practices for prevention and corrective control strategies. Proper pesticide selection, application timing, and stewardship practices will also be discussed.
Tyler Carr, Ph.D., The Ohio State University
Category 8 (credit pending)
Tyler Carr, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor and Turfgrass Extension Specialist at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. His research focuses on improving turfgrass cultural practices to develop sustainable turfgrass systems. His extension program strives to provide education and cost-effective solutions for the Ohio turfgrass industry. Dr. Carr received a B.S. in Horticulture, Landscape, and Turf Sciences from the University of Arkansas, a M.S. in Horticulture from the University of Arkansas, and a Ph.D. in Plant, Soil, and Environmental Sciences from the University of Tennessee. __________________________________________________________________________________
Ride Wit Me (But Calibrate First): Ride-On Sprayer Calibration 101 - This hands-on field demonstration will provide attendees with practical training on calibrating ride-on sprayers used in lawn care operations. Participants will learn how to select the appropriate nozzle, perform a catch test to determine individual nozzle flow rates, and calculate travel speed to ensure accurate pesticide applications. Common issues associated with ride-on spray systems, including uneven distribution and equipment wear, will be discussed along with troubleshooting techniques. The session will also highlight application practices and equipment adjustments that can improve spray coverage while minimizing off-target movement and pesticide drift.
Zane Raudenbush, Ph.D., Davey
CORE (credit pending)
Dr. Zane Raudenbush is a Turfgrass and Herbicide Specialist at The Davey Tree Expert Company. Zane obtained his B.S. in Turfgrass Management from Rutgers University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Turfgrass Weed Science from Kansas State University. Zane has over twenty years of turfgrass management experience and previously worked at Oakmont Country Club, Bayonne Golf Club, and West Shore Country Club. Before joining Davey Tree, Zane was the coordinator of the 2-year Turfgrass Management program at Ohio State University in Wooster from 2016-2020. __________________________________________________________________________________
Smells Like Green Spirit: Weed Identification and Product Evaluation - This session will focus on identification and management of troublesome broadleaf and grassy weeds commonly found in turfgrass systems. Attendees will learn to distinguish between commonly confused weed species and review factors that influence accurate identification and treatment decisions. Field plot demonstrations will highlight integrated weed management strategies, including proper selection and application timing of preemergence and postemergence herbicides, resistance considerations, and best practices for effective control.
Dave Gardner, Ph.D., The Ohio State University
Category 8 (credit pending)
David Gardner, Ph.D., is a professor of turfgrass science at The Ohio State University. He received a B.S. degree from Iowa State University in Horticulture in 1993, an M.S. in Horticulture from Iowa State in 1996 and a Ph.D. in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois in 2000. He teaches several undergraduate courses including turfgrass management, statistics, and plant taxonomy. His research interests are in weed management and turfgrass shade stress physiology.
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Another One Bites the Dust: High Cut Disease Identification - Participants will learn to identify and diagnose common high cut turfgrass diseases through hands-on evaluation of turf samples and symptom recognition. The session will cover disease development, contributing environmental and cultural factors, and integrated management practices including prevention, monitoring, and control strategies for affected turf areas.
Todd Hicks, The Ohio State University
Category 8 (credit pending)
Todd E. Hicks is the turfgrass pathology Program Specialist. His role is to coordinate the turfgrass pathology fungicide and bio control evaluation program. He serves as primary contact for our chemical and industry representatives. He also conducts diagnostic visits, presents educational lectures, writes articles, and runs the turf diagnostics lab. __________________________________________________________________________________
The Safety Dance: PPE – What, When and How - This interactive session reviews pesticide-related personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, including selecting appropriate PPE based on product labels, proper use and fit, maintenance and replacement procedures, and decontamination practices. Attendees will learn how proper PPE use helps reduce pesticide exposure and supports applicator safety and regulatory compliance.
Mary Ann “Mimi” Rose, The Ohio State University
CORE (credit pending)
Mary Ann “Mimi” Rose has worked as a nursery grower, OSU ornamental specialist, and a research scientist for a national lawn & landscape company. Since 2013 she has directed the Pesticide Safety Education Program, which is part of Ohio State University Extension. This program provides pesticide training to approximately 4000 licensed applicators each year.
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Why Did My Good Tree Go Bad: A Sampling - Participants will learn to identify common tree health issues through evaluation of plant samples and visual diagnostics. The session will cover identification of diseases, insect pests, environmental disorders, and basic plant identification, along with discussion of diagnostic techniques and integrated management practices for prevention and treatment of affected trees.
James Chatfield, The Ohio State University
Category 6 (credit pending)
James Chatfield is Faculty Emeritus, The Ohio State University Department of HCS and Plant Pathology. Diagnostics, plant selection, benefits of trees. Ornamentals. Favorite quote is from Alex Cusnow. “The lawn is the canvas upon which the rest of the landscape is painted.” And Shakespeare: “in Nature’s infinite book of secrecy, a little can I read.”
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Directions: Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Research & Education Facility, 2551 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210
From the North, take the Ackerman Rd. exit off SR 315. Go west (right) on Ackerman Rd., turn south (left) onto Kenny Rd., watch for signs on your right, across from University Services entrance.
From the South, take the Lane Avenue exit off SR 315 and turn west (left). Turn north (right) on Kenny Rd., watch for signs on your left, across from University Services entrance.