Department of Environmental Pro- tection (NJDEP), 2002]. Connecti- cut has banned the use of any U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registered pesticide at day care centers Extension and kindergarten to eighth grade (K–8) school properties (State of Connecticut, 2009). New Jersey, Con- necticut, New York, and other states in Education the region have recently enacted strict fertilizer laws that restrict the type, amount, and timing of fertilizer appli- cations to turf (NJDEP, 2010). Finally, Methods landscaping is a competitive industry and offering environmentally friendly or organic services may be a way to Development and Early Assessment of an distinguish one company from others (Michelson, 2014). Organic Land Care Extension Program Background for Landscapers The federal government through the U.S. Department of Agriculture 1,3 2 1 (USDA), National Organic Program Michele Bakacs , Amy Rowe , William T. Hlubik , and (NOP) developed national organic Jan Zientek2 standards for agriculture and a certi- fication program that certifies that agricultural products were produced ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. integrated pest management, compost, native plants, using approved organic practices sustainable landscaping, turfgrass, natural, best management practices (USDA, 2014). Currently, there are SUMMARY. This article presents findings from the first 3 years of implementing an no federal standards for organic lawn organic land care training program for landscapers, including landscaper attitudes, and land care. The lack of universally lessons learned, and the potential role of extension. Results of a needs assessment as accepted standards for organic land well as discussions with organic practitioners provided evidence that New Jersey care has led to confusion in the land- lacked in-depth training needed to assist practitioners in determining acceptable scaping industry and the general practices when offering organic services to their clientele. As a result, Rutgers public over what organic land care University convened an organic land care working group and developed a certificate actually means. The prevailing notion program for professionals with the long-term goal of promoting healthy soil, enhancing biodiversity, and reducing polluted runoff from managed landscapes. in the industry and among residents is Thus far the program has been attended by 63 landscapers with 48 fulfilling the that ‘‘going organic’’ is only about the program requirements. Follow-up surveys with participants of the first 2 years type of fertilizer or pesticide applied showed that 38% of the 1163 acres (470.6 ha) under their management are either in and that one can simply ‘‘product transition or have been completely converted to organic management. Respondents swap’’ from a conventional product reported a significant decrease in use of synthetic fertilizers and significant increase to an organic one. in use of organic fertilizer. Median synthetic pesticide usage decreased by 40%. In the absence of federal stan- Respondents reported since attending the program they were more effective at dards, a few organizations have de- a number of practices including removing invasives and installing native plants, veloped program standards to provide installing rain gardens, reducing stormwater runoff, and reducing irrigation. organic professionals with credibility Focusing on the science, patience in transitioning, and understanding there are no ‘‘one size fits all’’ organic programs have been important lessons learned by and to specify practices professionals experienced practitioners. Clientele acceptance, product efficacy, and finding skilled can abide by when offering organic staff were cited as consistent challenges. These results indicate that extension can services. These include the Northeast play a lead role in conducting applied research and providing relevant, effective Organic Farming Association’s Organic educational programming for landscapers in the organic land care field. Land Care program, Oregon Tilth, and the Society for Organic Urban Land Care in Canada (NOFA, 2011; Oregon ncreasingly in New Jersey and the addition, pesticides are increasingly Tilth, 2013; SOUL, 2013). The New surrounding region, lawn and being restricted or even eliminated York Department of Environmental Iland care professionals are offer- on public properties (Marshall et al., Conservation developed the ‘‘Be ing organic options to their clientele. 2015). For example, New Jersey Green Organic Yards NY’’ program This may be because of a number of School Integrated Pest Management as well as terms and conditions that reasons. The organic food industry is (IPM) Program encourages minimal apply to businesses that use the one of the fastest growing agricul- pesticide use and the use of low impact program’s service mark. Practitioners tural sectors and it is possible this is pesticides in addition to strict 72-h may choose to adhere to the standards now expanding into land care services notification requirements when more offered by local programs where they (Dettmann and Dimitri, 2010). In toxic pesticides are used [New Jersey have been developed. Many of these
• February 2016 26(1) 89 EXTENSION EDUCATION METHODS organizations use the USDA, NOP product of compost, in an effort to Methods (USDA, 2014) practices as the basis transfer microbial biomass, fine par- NEEDS ASSESSMENT. In 2012, in of their program standards, with ad- ticulate organic matter, and soluble response to inquiries from land care ditional considerations for addressing chemical components to plants and practitioners and regulatory agencies, issues such as tree and shrub care, soils in ways not economically feasible Rutgers University began to assess lawn management, native and inva- with solid compost (USDA, 2004). the industry need for a formal exten- sive plants, and water management. Organic landscapers use slow- sion program on organic land care. A A few definitions have been put release fertilizers with ingredients that 14-question survey was conducted at forth for organic land care (NOFA, come from natural sources such as industry training events attended by 2011; SOUL, 2013). In general, plant or animal by-products (i.e., fish, landscapers as well as public em- these definitions promote the con- feather, or blood meal), rock pow- ployees. Landscapers were asked if cept of landscaping as a system of ders, and seaweed. Some practitioners they were interested in becoming a sustainable practices that restores, will use a bridge product, which is certified organic landscaper, how this enhances, and protects the local and a mix of synthetic nitrogen (most certification would help their com- surrounding environment. These likely urea) with a natural organic pany, and whether they had already practices should promote diversity, fertilizer. Bridge products are often received training in organic tech- restore and improve soil biology, use used while transitioning a landscape niques. They were also asked how local materials, and reduce waste, but use of these products would not many of their customers had requested including reducing energy use, mate- be consistent with true organic man- rial products, and water. The goal is agement because of the inclusion of organic services and if practitioners to create a holistic approach to land synthetic nitrogen. believed their clients would pay more management where the soil, plants, Pest and disease management in for these services. Additional demo- and animals within the system are an organic system is similar to an IPM graphic questions were included, in- interdependent and should sustain approach. This approach focuses on cluding the company type and how each other. creating a landscape that is unfriendly many properties they managed. Generally, in an organic pro- to pests and diseases (using right PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND gram, synthetic pesticides, synthetic plant, right place concepts, and other IMPLEMENTATION. To assist with pro- fertilizers, and synthetic soil amend- cultural practices), monitoring, and gram development, Rutgers Univer- ments are not used. Rather, organic using allowed pesticides, usually from sity assembled an organic land care landscaping focuses on emulating a natural source such as insecticidal working group made up of landscap- natural conditions by using fertilizer soaps, horticultural spray oils, botan- ing professionals, extension faculty from natural materials (manure, ical insecticides such as neem- (Aza- and staff, regulatory representatives, plant, and/or meal based) and com- dirachta indica) and BT- (Bacillus and industry experts. This group post in addition to focusing on thuringiensis) based products, as a last helped review other existing pro- cultural practices such as returning resort. Some synthetic substances are grams and guidelines, and developed grass clippings as a nitrogen source, allowed in an organic program and the program curriculum and educa- mowing at an optimal height, and these are listed in Section 205.601 tional support materials. proper planting and pruning of trees under ‘‘The National List of Allowed Rutgers University developed and shrubs. Practitioners incorporate and Prohibited Substances’’ of the the Organic Land Care Certificate native and pest-resistant plants into USDA, NOP (USDA, 2014). Program to educate and assist practi- landscape designs and place plants in Ongoing debate and discussion tioners in determining what is accept- areas that optimize the sunlight, soil, continue to exist in the field of or- able under organic land management and moisture requirements of that ganic land care around certain topics. and deliver research-based informa- species; i.e., ‘‘right plant, right place.’’ These include the efficacy of com- tion that will help the industry be A strong emphasis is placed on pro- post teas as truly improving the soil successful in their organic endeavors. moting soil health by increasing soil microbial community as well as its To be clear, this is not a ‘‘regulatory’’ organic matter and enhancing the ability to suppress plant pathogens certification program and there is no biological community (bacteria, fungi, (St. Martin and Brathwaite, 2012); credential earned that can be revoked. protozoa, roundworms, insects, earth- the most appropriate use of ‘‘emergency The USDA, NOP practices are used worms, etc.) through the use of treatments’’ of conventional prod- as guidelines, and properties managed composted materials. Many organic ucts when certain landscape prob- in accordance with these practices are landscapers brew compost teas, a liquid lems arise, for example to save the life considered to be organically man- of a specimen tree; the over use of aged. The basis of the program is phosphate-rich natural fertilizers and a 1-weeklong certificate course of- We thank Richard A. McCoy and Christopher Paul for fered on an annual basis, usually in helping edit the survey tool and Nicholas Polanin and composts, which may impact water Salvatore S. Mangiafico for statistics advice and review. quality through stormwater runoff January. Over 20 extension and in- 1Department of Agricultural and Resource Manage- (Cheng et al., 2014; Easton and dustry professionals help teach the ment Agents, Rutgers, The State University of New Petrovic, 2004); and the effect of course. Since 2013, this course has Jersey, 42 Riva Avenue, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 organic management programs on been offered three times and attended 2Department of Agricultural and Resource Manage- arthropod diversity and pests in turf by 63 individuals with 48 fulfilling the ment Agents, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 621a Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068 (Marshall et al., 2015). Further col- program requirements, which include 3Corresponding author.E-mail: [email protected]. laborative research is needed to shed attending the weeklong training pro- edu. light on these issues. gram and passing an open-book exam.
90 • February 2016 26(1) Participants who pass the exam receive This challenge presented a focal point Fifty-four percent of respondents an- a certificate of completion and are listed for the working group to encour- swered yes or maybe when asked if on the program website in a searchable age extension professionals to get in- they would want to become a certified database by county. At the end of each volved with educational outreach and organic landscaper. Only 18% had course a 2-h, moderated panel discus- applied demonstration trials to bridge already attended trainings on organic sion is held with four experienced, the current information gap and ad- land care techniques. When public organic land care professionals. Each dress this perception. works, parks and recreation, and aca- panelist is given 5 min to describe their PROGRAM EVALUATION AND demic professionals were excluded background in organics and then audi- IMPACT. A 20-question follow-up from the dataset the number was re- ence members ask questions. survey was administered to 41 land- duced to 105, which included those One-day introductory courses scapers of the Jan. 2013 and 2014 in the turf, shrub, and tree care, golf and half-day advanced field trainings classes to determine preliminary pro- course, schools, and nursery indus- with experienced practitioners have gram impact and best practices tries. Of these 105 individuals, those also been offered. Condensed programs adopted thus far. The survey was interested in becoming certified in- have been presented to over 100 home- administered via e-mail in Mar. creased to 64%, but results were sim- owners and Rutgers University Master 2015 on Rutgers University’s Qual- ilar for those who already had organic Gardeners to educate residents who do trics internet survey system (Qual- training. Forty percent stated ‘‘a few’’ not use professional landscapers. trics, Provo, UT). This survey, as and 6% stated ‘‘many’’ of their cus- A major objective of the program well as other evaluation tools for the tomers had already expressed interest is for land care professionals to learn program, were reviewed by the uni- in ‘‘organic’’ or ‘‘all natural’’ land- to treat their landscapes holistically versity’s internal review board (IRB) scaping products and techniques. and to restore and enhance biological and approved for exemption from Only 6% believed their customers cycles involving soil microorganisms, IRB review. Questions were included would be willing to pay more for plants, and animals. Therefore, the to determine the area of turf currently organic landscaping. Thirty-two per- course covers a wide range of topics in transition to organic as well as the cent answered ‘‘maybe’’ to the same including the history of organics in area that had been completely con- question. the United States; pesticide risk and verted to organic management. One These results are supported by environmental contamination; soil retrospective question asked respon- national industry surveys. For example, health; compost and compost tea de- dents how effective they are at con- a national survey of 356 landscaping velopment and application; incorpo- ducting specific practices in comparison companies showed 30% offer organic rating native plants into landscapes with before they completed the lawn care services and 13% offer what and removing invasive exotics; turf Rutgers University Organic Land Care was termed ‘‘green/sustainability ser- installation, renovation, and manage- Certificate course; i.e., using native vices’’ (Palmieri, 2013). Although it ment; lawn alternatives; sustainable plants in the landscape, reducing did not specifically address organic landscape design; water resource pro- stormwater runoff, mulching, aerat- services, another national survey of tection, rain gardens, and rainwater ing a lawn, applying compost top- over 2000 adults investigating con- harvesting; pest and disease manage- dressing, etc. Two questions were sumer spending habits on lawn and ment of trees and shrubs; planting also included to quantify how their landscape services showed 9% felt and plant care; wildlife management; use of pesticides and fertilizers, includ- offering sustainable practices was cultural practices for program synthe- ing conventional, organic, and bridge the most important trait when sis; and business management and products, had changed. A number of selecting a landscaping company customer communications. questions focused on assessing how (National Association of Landscape There were a number of chal- useful the course was for successfully Professionals, 2013). lenges that presented themselves in conducting and marketing organic In addition to the needs assess- the program development stage. land care. ment survey, there was anecdotal Organic lawn and land care is an Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were evidence that contributed to the pro- emerging field, with limited research performed using the Real Statistics gram’s development. Discussion with having been conducted on its effec- Resource Pack in Excel 2007 (Micro- New Jersey organic practitioners in- tiveness (Alumai et al., 2009; Caceres soft, Redmond, WA) to determine dicated that they were traveling to et al., 2010; Kaminski et al., 2004; differences in types of fertilizer prod- other states for education because Miller and Henderson, 2012). There ucts used before vs. after the course. they could not find local, organic- is much anecdotal evidence from or- Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were also focused trainings. In addition, a 1-d, ganic practitioners and it has taken used to determine before and after annual Rutgers University organic time and discussion to determine how course differences in self-assessed ef- turf care course was well attended to present the information in an un- fectiveness at implementing specific and showed potential for expansion biased manner. Discussions with practices. A significance level of P < to other horticultural topics. A num- working group members revealed 0.05 for all statistical tests was con- ber of other state extension programs that across the northeastern United sidered significant. have developed fact sheets focused on States, Cooperative Extension is not organic lawn management in re- perceived as a resource for organic Results and discussion sponse to increased interest from turf and land care professionals but NEEDS ASSESSMENT. Two hun- their clientele (Bruneau et al., 2008; rather as a resource for those employ- dred needs assessment surveys were Fresenburg et al., 2007; Soldat et al., ing conventional or IPM techniques. administered, yielding 173 responses. 2011). Finally, Rutgers University
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Master Gardeners indicated an in- since taking the course, these num- Table 1. Total turf area managed by crease in helpline phone calls from bers do not account for properties survey respondents that is in the general public with questions already in organic management and transition, completely switched to about how to manage their land- future surveys should be modified to organic, or still in conventional scapes organically. document this information. management since attending the Rutgers University Organic Land Based on these results, it seems Respondents were asked to esti- Care Certificate course (n = 20). organic land care is an emerging in- mate percent of synthetic, bridge, and dustry sector about which New Jersey organic fertilizer used before and after Total Turf professionals were interested in receiv- attending the course. Respondents Management turf managed z ing further training. A small percent- reported a significant change in types type (acres) (%) age of their clients were expressing of fertilizers used with the median In transition 288 25 interest in organic services, which percent synthetic fertilizer decreasing Organic 152 13 seems to follow national trends. from 45% to 0% and median percent Conventional 723 62 PROGRAM EVALUATION AND organic fertilizer increasing from Total area 1,163 100 IMPACT. Results of the program eval- 12.5% to 35% from before to after managed uation given at the course (n = 49) the course (Table 2). There was no z1 acre = 0.4047 ha. indicated many of the landscape pro- significant difference in use of bridge fessionals already offered organic ser- products (Table 2). There was a large vices (66%) as part of their businesses range of responses with the greatest The majority of respondents in- and had previously received some change in synthetic use being an 80% dicated the course had been very organic training (58%). Participants reduction and the smallest change helpful or somewhat helpful for assist- came into the program with some being a 20% reduction (Fig. 1). ing them in successfully practicing knowledge about curriculum topic Fifty-five percent of the respondents organic land care as well as marketing areas as indicated by preprogram sur- indicated no change in synthetic fer- organics to their clientele (Table 3). veys showing almost half the ques- tilizer use [11 out of 20 respondents More than 50% were not sure if the tions were answered correctly by 50% (data not shown)]. Only 27% of course had helped them to increase or more of the participants. Ninety these individuals were using syn- their profit. Continued assessment percent of the participants were thetic fertilizer before the organic will be important as little information owners or managers of private land- land care course. The greatest change is available on whether incorporating scaping companies focusing on turf, in organic fertilizer use was a 100% organic management into a business and tree and shrub care. The rest were increase and the smallest change was plan can help increase company profit. Master Gardener volunteers, private a 1% increase (Fig. 2). Fifty-five Changes in median self-assessed estate managers, and state employees. percent of the respondents indicated scores for 15 specific practices taught Participants thus far have come from no change in organic fertilizer use in the course, as well as 95% confi- all parts of the state with the highest [11 out of 20 respondents (data not dence intervals for the medians are participation being in Morris, Mon- shown)], with 63% of these individ- shown indicating the range of data mouth, and Middlesex counties in uals already using organic fertilizer values (Table 4). Since taking the central New Jersey. This is most likely before the course. These data are course respondents reported they a result of geography rather than in- consistent with previous information were more effective at reducing terest as the class is held annually in showing that landscapers coming stormwater runoff from properties, a central New Jersey location. into the program already had offered installing rain gardens, removing in- Participants rated the overall organic services as part of their vasive plants and using native plants teaching and program content as a businesses. on their properties, reducing water 4.6 based on a Likert scale from 1 Survey respondents reported re- usage for irrigation, top dressing with (poor) to 5 (excellent). They also in- ducing their synthetic pesticide usage compost, aerating a lawn, and using dicated a strong likelihood they would by a median of 40% since taking low-maintenance grass varieties. Based use what they learned in their business the course. Based on individual re- on this information, the program may activities [4.7 out of 5 (1 = strongly sponses, 45% reduced their synthetic provide more in-depth training on disagree, 5 = strongly agree)]. pesticide usage by 41% or more (Fig. 3). these topics in the future since those The landscaper follow-up survey This included herbicides, fungicides, are the areas where the majority of resulted in 20 responses for a response and insecticides. Anecdotally, land- landscapers felt there was the greatest rate of 49%. scapers have reported that it is easier change in their effectiveness. Nearly A total of 25% of the 1163 acres to move away from synthetic pesti- 50% of the respondents still felt they of turf in their management at that cides than fertilizers as once they have could not effectively use compost tea time was in transition to organic and mastered their cultural practices, after the course as part of their land- an additional 13% had been com- many of the disease and insect pests scaping practices as indicated by the pletely converted since attending the are less of an issue. For example, one median only changing from 1 to 3. program (Table 1). It is anticipated landscaper indicated he had com- This is to be expected as making that these numbers will increase over pletely eliminated synthetic fungi- compost tea requires special equip- time since it has only been, at most, cides from his business by focusing ment and training to fully understand 2 years since respondents attended on proper mowing heights, irrigation how it should be brewed and applied the program. Since the survey was timing, and incorporating turf varie- on a large scale. Based on their self- designed to document changes made ties with better disease tolerance. assessments, practitioners were already
92 • February 2016 26(1) Table 2. Summary of median percent fertilizer usage by types before and after the Practitioners emphasize there are Rutgers University Organic Land Care Certificate course (n = 20). no boiler plate, one-size-fits-all or- Median use Median use ganic programs similar to a con- Fertilizer type before course (%) after course (%) P ventional ‘‘five-step’’ program most landscapers and their clients have Synthetic 45 0 £0.01 z used previously. Rather, programs Mix synthetic/organic 15 7.5 NS should be customized based on spe- (bridge product) £ cific conditions in the landscape. The Organic 12.5 35 0.01 panel also noted that attending con- z NS indicates not significant at the 0.05 significance level based on Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. tinuing education training provided by various institutions is necessary for practitioners to understand the sci- ence behind organic land care. Allowing for trial and error and experimentation is an important part of getting started in organics. It is wise to ease into an organic program to see if it is a viable alternative for the specific site conditions; for example, adding core aeration and compost top dressing on a portion of turf sites and then monitoring turf performance over time. Easing into a program also prepares customers for the transition into an organic system, which often takes longer than with conventional management. Another goal of elimi- nating synthetic fungicides on prop- Fig. 1. Histogram of the reduction in synthetic fertilizer usage reported by survey erties within a certain time period may respondents since taking the Rutgers University Organic Land Care Certificate be feasible. Consistently it has been course (n = 20). emphasized that successful organic practitioners work for years to hone their craft and must be creative and flexible in solving challenges through small, manageable changes. Practitioners emphasize that or- ganic products work differently than conventional products. For example, organic fertilizers need to be broken down by soil microorganisms and converted into a usable form for plant uptake (Parnes, 1990). This is a slow process and it takes time to understand how to best incorporate these products into current land care activities when practitioners (and their clients) are accustomed to in- stant results. These comments are supported by our survey results showing respondents slowly increas- Fig. 2. Histogram of the increase in organic fertilizer usage reported by survey ing their use of organic fertilizers on respondents since taking the Rutgers University Organic Land Care Certificate their properties (Table 2). course (n = 20). Anecdotally, New Jersey land- scapers agreed that their clients were willing to pay 10% to 15% more for effectively conducting many of the R ESULTS OF MODERATED organic land care. Experienced prac- lawn care practices (overseeding, use DISCUSSION GROUPS. Three years of titioners warned others not to focus of lawn seed with beneficial bacteria or moderated discussions with a panel of too much on costs with new clients fungi, leaving grass clippings, and in- experienced organic land care prac- but rather on what is being provided; creasing mowing height), as well as titioners have revealed consistent a beautiful, healthy landscape for reducing overuse of mulch (i.e., ‘‘vol- themes that may help when land- them and their family. canoes’’ at the base of a tree), and scapers begin transitioning to or- Landscapers advised against forc- applying fertilizer based on a soil test. ganic land care. ing organic programs on clients who
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will not be accepting of conditions that may be encountered during the initial transition phase (weeds, etc.). Much discussion focused on under- standing audiences, and the types of clients a landscaper would want to attract to their organic business. Practitioners emphasized that creating a relationship with their cli- ents based on trust, informing them when there are problems, and being honest about nonorganic treatments is paramount for success and running a business with honesty and integrity. These discussions have also revealed consistent challenges land- scapers face in the field. Fig. 3. Histogram of the percent reduction in synthetic pesticide usage reported by survey respondents since taking the Rutgers University Organic Land Care The biggest challenge practi- Certificate course (n = 20). tioners face is clientele acceptance of
Table 3. Summary of responses to the Rutgers University Organic Land Care Certificate course follow-up survey questions (n = 20). Responsesz Very Somewhat I do not Somewhat Very Question helpful (%) helpful (%) know (%) unhelpful (%) unhelpful (%) How helpful do you feel the course was for assisting you 65 24 12 0 0 in providing successful organic lawn and/or land care? How helpful do you feel the course was in assisting you 47 18 29 0 6 with the marketing of organic practices to your clientele? How helpful do you feel the course was for assisting you 635530 6 in increasing your profit margin? zPercentage values may not total 100 because of rounding errors.
Table 4. Summary of changes in landscaper self-assessed effectiveness for best practices from before and after the Rutgers University Organic Land Care Certificate course (n = 20). Responses were based on a Likert scale from 1 (ineffective) to 5 (very effective). The median and 95% confidence limits are shown. Before After Lower Upper Lower Upper confidence confidence confidence confidence Practice Median limit limit Median limit limit P Removing exotics and/or plants 21 443 5£0.01 known to be invasive Installing a rain garden 2 1 3 4 3 5 £0.01 Reducing stormwater runoff from 22 443 5£0.01 properties Using native plants in landscape 32 444 5£0.01 plantings Reducing water usage for irrigation 3 1 4 4 3 5 £0.01 Top dressing with compost 4 2 4 4 4 5 £0.01 Using compost tea 1 1 4 3 2 5 £0.05 Aerating a lawn 4 3 5 5 4 5 £0.05 Use of low-maintenance lawn grasses 3 3 5 4 3 5 £0.05 Use of lawn seed with endophytes 3 1 5 4 3 5 NSz Overseeding a lawn 4 4 5 5 4 5 NSz Applying fertilizer based on soil 44 444 5NSz test results Reducing overapplications of mulch 33 443 5NSz on properties Leaving grass clippings on the lawn 4 4 5 5 4 5 NSz Mowing high [3 inches (7.6 cm)] 5 4 5 5 5 5 NSz zNS indicates not significant at the 0.05 significance level based on Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.
94 • February 2016 26(1) the amount of time it takes transition continuing education training sessions limited to test the impact of specific to a landscape most would find accept- as a venue to administer surveys. inputs as with disease or insect studies. able under organic management. This Develop a diverse working group In addition, it will be necessary to set up is consistent with findings by Ingram with practitioners, regulatory and ex- long term (over 5 years), replicated turf et al. (2008) based on discussions of tension representatives including re- trials in various geographic regions that barriers to client adoption of IPM search staff. Find industry leaders who document management practices, practices by landscapers in Wisconsin. will be program champions and act as costs, and the best turfgrass varieties Consistency in product efficacy is a sounding board for program ideas. for organic systems. Some short-term an additional challenge with land- Start slowly and schedule 1-d trials already exist, but there is a need scapers noting that more organic trainings and workshops on topics for more data (Alumai et al., 2009; products are on the market now than identified by the working group. Most Caceres et al., 2010). in the past but little research has been likely, turf issues will be the biggest done on their effectiveness under draw but do not shy away from offer- Conclusion different conditions. Landscapers note ing other programs such as incorpo- that there are few effective organic rating native plants, lawn alternatives, There is a growing interest in postemergent weed controls for turf tree and shrub care, and stormwater organic land care methods among and therefore focus more on pre- management. landscapers and their customers. ventative strategies through cultural Develop a multifaceted program Follow-up surveys taken by the first practices such as mowing high, re- that educates homeowners, Master 2 years’ participants of the Rutgers ducing compaction, overseeding, Gardener volunteers, and practi- University program show promising and proper irrigation. tioners about the current state of our results for helping landscapers con- Finding quality finished com- understanding. vert their properties to organic man- posts for top dressing applications Avoid promotion from the agement. Switching to an organic and brewing compost teas is an issue philosophical standpoint. Provide land management system regimen for many landscapers. To deal with researched-based education, but al- does not yield overnight results and this problem, some landscapers are low for anecdotal evidence and case patience must be emphasized with the creating compost themselves so they studies for discussion as part of the landscapers, their clients, and the can attest to the quality and use it to learning process. general public. Any extension pro- brew their own compost teas. Research and explain how or- gram on this emerging sector will Some landscapers indicated it is ganics supports or may possibly be have to be flexible to address the difficult to manage a property organ- in conflict with local regulations. For needs of practitioners while assessing ically when there are other contrac- example, corn gluten meal applied at applied data generated by researchers. tors on that property providing recommended efficacy rates for weed Lack of national standards and repli- maintenance. control is in conflict with New Jer- cated, long-term research trials with Knowledgeable staff with skills sey’s fertilizer law because of its high organic systems are needed by the necessary to identify problems before nitrogen content. industry. Researchers may need to they are out of control was also cited Be clear that there are no federal enhance typical protocols to allow as a challenge. One landscaper indi- standards for organic land care and room for a more comprehensive and cated it did not matter how often he that it is up to the landscaper to run holistic analysis of organic land care. trained his staff, once they were un- their business with integrity. Practitioners working together with supervised in the field they did what Be consistent and clear with the extension professionals and other they wanted. This landscaper’s solu- message and be sure educators/speakers university scientists can overcome tion was to weld company mower provide consistent information. challenges as a team. decks so mowing height would always The organic land care research be at 3 inches. has not caught up with the practice. Literature cited ROLE OF EXTENSION. There is Traditional plant scientists have Alumai, A., S.O. Salminen, D.S. Richmond, much confusion in the industry about avoided research in organic systems J. Cardina, and P.S. Grewal. 2009. Com- how to practice organic land care. due to lack of funding and interest in parative evaluation of aesthetic, biological, Extension is in the unique position these alternative systems. There is and economic effectiveness of different to fill the knowledge and research a great need for in-depth soil micro- lawn management programs. Urban Eco- gaps as well as coordinate the necessary bial studies to examine the overall syst. 12:127–144. industry, regulatory, and academic impact of organic land care practices Bruneau, A.H., F. Yelverton, L.T. Lucas, experts to assist the horticultural on soil ecosystems and to test the and R.L. Brandenburg. 2008. Organic industry in successfully delivering efficacy of specific organic products lawn care: A guide to maintenance and organic land care to their clientele. on soil and plant health. The analysis pest management for North Carolina. The following are suggested methods of an effective organic land care sys- North Carolina Coop. Ext. Serv. Publ., for getting started based on Rutgers tem needs to be examined as a long- Raleigh, NC. AG-562. University’s experience: term process of rebuilding depleted Caceres, V.A., C.A. Bigelow, and D.S. Conduct a needs assessment soil ecosystems and establishing Richmond. 2010. Aesthetic and eco- and/or focus groups to determine a more sustainable environment for nomic impacts associated with four the current status of organic land care all of the plants in the landscape. A different cool-season lawn fertility and within the state as well as industry needs. whole systems analysis is atypical of pesticide programs. HortTechnology 20: Use existing industry conferences and current research where variables are 418–426.
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Cheng, Z., E.L. McCoy, and P.S. Grewal. environment are two words driving lawn Palmieri, M. 2013. Industry overview: 2014. Water, sediment, and nutrient care product trends. 4 June 2015. Ahead of the curve. 4 June 2015. runoff from urban lawns established on
96 • February 2016 26(1)