2008 Florida Sod Growers Cooperative's Field Day & Trade Show

April 24th -25th, 2008

Bethel Farms, Ft. Pierce, Florida

The FSGC Field Day is the state’s only trade show to feature equipment, goods and services geared specifically to the needs of sod producers and those who work in the industry.

The event is held at a different farm location each year, rotating throughout the state to give attendees the opportunity to observe unique operations with a variety of growing conditions. This year’s event will be hosted by Bethel Farms at its new Ft. Pierce farm location. Bethel Farms is a family-owned diversified operation celebrating 50 years of agricultural excellence.

Important Dates to Remember:

Wednesday, April 9:  Last date for group rates at host hotels (reservations made after this date are subject to availability; group rate cannot be guaranteed.

Wednesday, April 16:  Sponsorship pledges must be received to be included on event signage.

Monday, April 21 :  Last day to pre-register (registrations for Field Day ONLY will be accepted on site, but lunch cannot be guaranteed).

For more information or to register:   Click on the links below and use your brower's Print function to print a copy of the registration form.  Forms should be mailed with payment to the address noted.  Registration forms may also be faxed to 863-675-2144 (recommended after April 14, 2008).  NOTE:  Your registration is not complete until payment is received.   You will receive a confirmation of your registration.

Attendee Registration / Sponsorship Information and Registration

Exhibitor  / Sponsorship Registration and Information

Contact Us for Host Hotel Information

Educational Sessions:  Thursday, April 24th, 1:00 - 5:00 PM

USDA Horticultural Research Laboratory, Ft. Pierce

An afternoon of educational and informational topics specifically for those in the sod industry.  CEUs are available for Pesticide Applicators as noted. ($25 per participant for complete session; pre-registration required as seating is limited.)

1:00 PM  Get Down in the Political Grassroots

Special Guest Speaker:  Leslie Waters

Leslie Waters Government Relations

Think your elected official understand your issues?  Don't think

for a minute they do!  Former state representative Leslie Waters (Speaker Pro Tempore, 1998-2006) will present an energetic, one-hour overview on how to advocate your elected officials by building  relationships with those who represent you at city hall, in county government, in Tallahassee and in the halls of Congress.  Prior to serving in the legislature, Waters spent 29 years with Allstate Insurance Company in Human Resources, Corporate and Government Relations.  Her background in business and her experience as a legislator combine to bring a unique perspective to her presentations and to her work with groups throughout the state.  (www.waterswave.com)

2:00 PM    Research Update on Hunting Billbugs and Southern Chinch Bugs

Dr. Eileen Buss, Entomology & Nematology

University of Florida / IFAS, Gainesville

Learn new information about the biology and management of two key turfgrass pests, the hunting billbug and southern chinch bug.  Dr. Buss will explain what might affect bermudagrass and zoysiagrass cultivar susceptibility to billbugs, and how to manage outbreaks of chinch bugs effectively using an IPM approach.  *CEUs available; see below.

3:00 PM    What Do You Mean Those Pesticides Don't Affect Your Health?

Practical Considerations for Safe Pesticide Use

Dr. Bryan Unruh, Extension Turfgrass Specialist

University of Florida / IFAS West Florida Research & Education Center, Milton

Most pesticide applicators tend to think that pesticides have little effect on their health.  Attendees will learn the difference between acute and chronic exposure to pesticides and how to safely avoid both types of exposure.  Attendees will learn about personal protective equipment - how to select it, how to wear it, and how to safely clean or dispose of it.  Two-hour interactive session.  *CEUs available; see below.

CEUs Available: Sessions Two and Three have been approved for Continuing Education Credit for Certified Pesticide Applicator license renewal as follows: 3 CEUs total, 2.0 General Standard / CORE. Bureau of Compliance Monitoring (BCM): 1.0 Private Appl Ag, 1.0 Demo & Research, 1.0 Ornamental & Turf.

The USDA Horticultural Laboratory, located at 2001 South Rock Road in Ft. Pierce, is a world-class research faciility with three areas of specialization:  Subtropical Insects, Subtropical Plant Pathology, and Horticulture and Breeding.

Reception & Dinner:  Thursday, April 24th, 6:30 - 9:00 PM

Panther Woods Country Club , Ft. Pierce

Plan to join us at the Panther Woods County Club (www.pantherwoodscountryclub.com) on Thursday evening for our popular Field Day Reception - a great way to kick-off your Field Day experience!  This casual reception and dinner buffet is a unique opportunity to visit and network with other industry professionals or simply catch up with old friends.  So have dinner - have a meeting - or just have a ball!  (RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED; $25 per person).

Field Day:  Friday, April 25th, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Bethel Farms, Ft. Pierce

Invest in the future of your business - and have fun doing it!  The FSGC Field Day is the state's only trade show to feature equipment, goods and services geared specifically to the needs of sod producers and those who work in the industry.  This day-long event features static vendor displays as well as demonstrations of larger equipment, ranging from spriggers to mowers to harvesters.  Admission to Field Day includes continental breakfast and a lunch on site, courtesy this year of Riverside Bank.  You'll also have the chance to "pick your own prize" in our popular bucket raffle!  As always, funds raised support turfgrass reserach and the work of the association throughout the year.   ($35 members / $40 non-members)

About Bethel Farms:  Since its founding by Walter Bethel in 1958 as a small cattle and poultry operation in central Florida, Bethel Farms has blossomed into one of Florida's leading agriculture companies, producing cattle, fertilizer, citrus, nursery plants, sod and grass plugs.  Bethel Farms currently employs over 100 people on over 4,000 acres of farmland stretching throughout the southeastern United States and was twice named as one of the "Top 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies in Florida."  The Ft. Pierce sod farm location produces Sapphire and Palmetto St. Augustine and Empire Zoysia. (Learn more at www.bethelfarms.com.)