Fwd: Final Turfgrass Science Workshop for Ag Teachers
Area 6 FFA Association
903.539.0175
From: Young, Joey <Joey....@ttu.edu>
Date: Fri, May 29, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Subject: Final Turfgrass Science Workshop for Ag Teachers
To: ctj...@slatonisd.net <ctj...@slatonisd.net>, fandjher...@centex.net <fandjher...@centex.net>, bonnie...@sbcglobal.net <bonnie...@sbcglobal.net>, ar...@texasffa.org <ar...@texasffa.org>, sim...@aol.com <sim...@aol.com>, area6ffaa...@gmail.com <area6ffaa...@gmail.com>, delle...@gmail.com <delle...@gmail.com>, areav...@gmail.com <areav...@gmail.com>, john....@crockettisd.net <john....@crockettisd.net>, area...@gmail.com <area...@gmail.com>, allenka...@gmail.com <allenka...@gmail.com>, area...@gmail.com <area...@gmail.com>
Cc: Jeff Flowers <jflowe...@hsbresort.com>, Rey Gomez <rgo...@hsbresort.com>, Rayfield, John <John.R...@ttu.edu>
Good morning Area Coordinators,
I wanted to reach out with a request to forward information about an upcoming (and Final) Turfgrass Science Workshop that we are planning for Marble Falls, Texas at Horseshoe Bay Resort for Tuesday, June 23, 2026 from 9 am to 4 pm.
This event is possible through a USDA grant I received and will be finalizing in November 2026. Therefore, this will be our last in-person professional development workshop that will be hosted through this project. We are working with the golf course superintendent and a talent recruiter from Horseshoe Bay Resort to plan, market and host this final event. We would love to have any Ag Teachers attend this event to learn more about Turfgrass Science and how they can confidently introduce these unique agronomic plant science topics to their students.
This past October, TEA approved the SFMA Turfgrass Certification Exam as an approved exam for student certification. I was involved with the program and development of materials that went into development of the exam, and I am certain this will be a great opportunity for teachers to help prepare students for a completion status in the Plant Science Pathway. Turfgrass Science offers numerous education and career opportunities students, teachers and counselors are often unaware of, so we have ample room in our program across the state to accommodate more students. Introducing our students to these opportunities and what it takes to manage a high-end turfgrass system for golf or sports activities can provide them with a rewarding career.
We will have breakfast snacks and a full lunch available for all participants. Each participant will be eligible for a stipend ($750-1,000) for just attending and participating. This funding is possible because of the USDA funding and ultimately a majority of the funds we received from our project needed to be supplied back to our teacher participants. All teachers will be given full access to my teaching curriculum developed for the ½ credit Turfgrass Management TEKS. We are also going to open the opportunity for anyone who is interested (not a requirement) to play golf on Wednesday morning (June 24). This will simply be a fun, leisure round of golf to enjoy the property rather than a specific competition or tournament style of play. A block of rooms will be available at the resort for anyone desiring to spend the night and play golf Wednesday.
Here is an Eventbrite link interested individuals can use to register for free, but it helps me keep up with participants and allows me to have contact information to reach out to everyone.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1990112504072?aff=oddtdtcreator
There is an informational flyer attached as well. If teachers have interest in attending but have questions; please have them email me (joey....@ttu.edu) or call me (601-695-1331).
Our events have been well received by all those who have attended in the past, and I would really like to finish this project our with a full room of teachers for this final event!
Best regards,
Joey Young
Joseph Young, PhD
Associate Professor of Turf Science
Department of Plant and Soil Science
Texas Tech University
2911 15th Street (Shipping)
Box 42122 (Mailing)
Lubbock, TX 79409-2122
Office: 806-834-8457
Website: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/pss/research/groups/turfgrass/index.php
Twitter: @TTUturf
