5 minute read
News from UT
2025 Certified Community and Sports Turf Manager (CCSTM) Program
Public Turf. Professional Care.
Fridays | Oct. 3 – Nov. 14, 2025
12–2 PM CT / 1–3 PM ET
Live via Zoom
About the Program
Turfgrass is where communities come to play, gather, reflect, and grow. Across Tennessee, these greenspaces connect people through movement, memory, and meaning.
The Certified Community & Sports Turf Manager (CCSTM) program is a new training and certification series developed by UT Extension for those who care for public and recreational turfgrass across the state. From school grounds and sports fields to parks and cemeteries, these spaces play a vital role in community life.
CCSTM is designed for professionals managing turf in high-visibility, community-facing spaces, often with limited resources. This 7-week live, online course offers practical, science-based training to help improve field quality, safety, and resource efficiency in real-world settings.
Who is this program for?
This program is ideal for professionals seeking formal certification and practical, resume-building recognition for their work managing turf in public, recreational and community settings, including:
Parks and recreation departments: Staff maintaining athletic fields, openspaces, and municipal landscapes
Schools: Grounds crews, maintenance staff, and coaches managing athleticfields
Cemeteries and memorial parks: Staff responsible for safe, well-maintained,and respectful green spaces
Community sports complexes and leagues: Individuals maintaining local-usefields for youth and adult recreational sports
Smaller public golf courses: Particularly those with limited staff and multi-use responsibilities
Program Format
When?
Fridays | Oct. 3 – Nov. 14, 2025
12–2 PM CT / 1–3 PM ET
Live via Zoom
Recordings will be available for review, but real-time attendance is required for certification and pesticide points. Attendance will be verified each week.
Facilities are encouraged to host on-site group viewings for their teams, provided individual attendance is tracked. Some UT Extension offices may also offer group viewing opportunities — details to be announced.
Workbook
In addition to weekly webinars, all participants will receive a printed workbook with guided weekly activities to complete outside of the live sessions. These exercises are designed to help participants apply course content directly to their site— individually or with their crews—and work toward building a meaningful, facility-specific turf management plan.
Completion of the workbook is optional, but encouraged to get the most benefit from the course.
Weekly Topics
Week 1 (OCT. 3)
Orientation & Site Assesment
Kick off the CCSTM program by exploring what to expect, how to use the workbook, and how to connect with your local Extension support network. Begin documenting your facility layout, identifying turf areas, and collecting key site information like budgets, labor resources, and soil/water samples.
Week 2 (OCT. 10)
Turfgrass Selection, Sourcing & Establishment
Learn how to match the right turf to your site based on use, climate, and available resources. Explore seeding, sodding, renovation, and overseeding strategies, and get familiar with reliable tools and suppliers to make informed decisions.
Week 3 (OCT. 17)
Water Management & Irrigation Essentials
Understand the role of water in sustainable turf management. Learn how to conduct a basic irrigation audit, evaluate irrigation water quality, address drainage issues, and explore tools like soil moisture sensors. Develop a simple water budget and irrigation schedule tailored to your site’s needs.
Week 4 (OCT. 24)
Cultivation & Soil Management
Get to know your soil — the foundation of every turf system. Learn how to interpret soil test results and use them to guide fertilization, pH correction, and nutrient balancing. Explore practices that improve soil health over time, including cultivation methods like aerification and topdressing, and strategies for managing compaction in high-traffic areas.
Week 5 (OCT. 31)
Weeds, Pests & Integrated Management
Learn how to identify and manage common weeds, insects, and turf diseases using an integrated approach. Explore cultural, chemical, and mechanical control strategies, with an emphasis on safety, timing, and real-world decision-making. Understand how site conditions and maintenance practices influence pest pressure over time.
Week 6 (NOV. 7)
Seasonal Planning & Equipment Care
Walk through the turf management calendar year and learn how to prepare for seasonal transitions, with special emphasis on spring and fall. Explore how timing impacts mowing, fertility, overseeding, and pest control decisions. Review key equipment maintenance practices that keep tools running safely and efficiently all year long.
Week 7 (NOV. 14)
Field Safety, Labor Planning & Public Engagement
Learn how to evaluate and improve field safety using checklists, surface testing tools, and simple inspection routines. Discuss strategies for managing labor and resources across a growing season. Explore how to communicate effectively with coaches, administrators, and the public to set expectations and build support. Wrap up by connecting with a growing network of turf professionals you can rely on long after the course ends.
Pricing
Registration and Pricing
Registration opens July 2025.
$250 per facility
Includes access to all 7 live sessions and one participant (Includes one surface testing kit per facility)
$95 for each additional participant
From the same facility or organization
UT Extension personnel and TDA representatives: Free registration available
What’s Included
7 live, interactive online sessions
A printed CCSTM workbook
Access to planning tools and templates
A surface testing kit (one per registered facility), which includes a soil probe, sampling bags, and basic tools for field diagnostics
Guided activities to support development of a site-specific turf management plan Eligibility for a digital certificate and pesticide recertification points (pending approval)
To receive certification and TDA points, each participant must be individually registered and attend all sessions in real time. Recordings will be available for review, but not as a substitute for live participation.
Additional Information
Certification and Continuing Education
Participants who complete the full CCSTM program will receive a Certificate of Completion from UT Extension, recognizing their commitment to professional growth and site-based planning. To be eligible for certification:Each participant must be individually registered Real-time attendance is required for all seven sessions Completion of workbook activities is encouraged to maximize value and applicability.
Pesticide Recertification Points
Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) recertification points will be applied for. Participants will be notified of the final approved point totals prior to the start of the course.
Registration & Contact Information
Register online at:
tiny.utk.edu/CCSTMProgramRegistration
Questions? Contact:
Dr. Becky Grubbs Bowling
Assistant Professor & Turfgrass Extension Specialist
You may also reach out to your local county Extension agent for additional information or support.
