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Who to see at this year’s event
Our sponsors bring the best of the industry to this event
We’re here to answer your questions by phone or email
General Inquiries
Phone.479-301-5534
General Inquiries
ATATURFGRASS@GMAIL.COM
Headquarters
P.O. Box 1862 Lowell, AR. 72745
Dr. Aaron Patton
Dr. Aaron Patton is a Professor in the Horticulture & Landscape Architecture department at Purdue University. He is Indiana’s Turfgrass Extension specialist and he has an active research program covers topics ranging from weed ecology and control, low-input grasses, and agronomic practices in turfgrass systems. He teaches the senior level turfgrass science course at Purdue University. He also serves as the Executive Director of the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation.
Dr. Marta Pudzianowska
Twitter: @MSTurfbreeding
Email: marta.pudzianowska@msstate.edu
Dr. Marta Pudzianowska is an Assistant Professor at Mississippi State University, with over seven years of experience in breeding of warm-season turfgrasses. Originally from Poland, she earned her M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Horticulture at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. Her main focus is developing resilient and sustainable bermudagrasses. She began working with bermudagrass in California and continues her efforts at MSU. In addition to bermudagrass, she has experience in breeding kikuyugrass and carpetgrass. Her work in warm-season turfgrass breeding at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) resulted in co-authorship of two cultivars of bermudagrass (‘Coachella’, US PP35,441P2 and ‘Presidio’, US PP 35,357P2
Seth Dunlap
Email: seth.dunlap@agriculture.arkansas.gov
Pest Control Program Manager
Regulatory Services Section
Plant Industries Division
Arkansas Department of Agriculture
Started with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture in April of 2009. Has worked in the Pest Control Program at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and has held the following positions:
Seth manages the Pest Control Program of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. The Pest Control Program administers Arkansas Pest Control Law and Regulations as they are set forth in the Circular 6. This entails licensing commercial and non-commercial operators, businesses and operators in classifications ranging from residential general pest control to treating stored food products for pests. The program’s biggest consumer protection service is the inspection of homes at the request of property owners. This is a free inspection to the property owner and can range from termite damage dispute, allegations of misapplication, or just general questions about a pest problem the property owner’s pest control company has not been able to control.
Dr. Mike Richardson
mricha@uark.edu
479-841-6169 (cell)
Twitter handle: @ArkansasTurf
Dr. Mike Richardson is a Horticulture professor at the University of Arkansas, where his research focuses on management of warm- and cool-season turfgrass systems. Much of this work has been focused on golf course systems, but he has also worked in sports turf, lawns, and sod production. Over the past decade, his work has also included research on enhancing biodiversity in turfgrass systems and restoring native grassland habitat in the prairie regions of Arkansas.
Dr. Hannah Wright-Smith
501-251-4416
Twitter: @ThatWeedsDoc
Dr. Hannah Wright-Smith is an Extension Weed Specialist for Turfgrass, Vegetation Management, and Specialty Crops with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. She has a diverse background that includes a B.S. in Agribusiness from Mississippi State University, an M.S. in Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences with a focus on Weed Science from the University of Arkansas, and a Ph.D. in Crop and Soil Sciences with a focus on Weed Science from the University of Georgia. As a graduate student, Dr. Wright-Smith conducted research on weed control in various agronomic and horticultural crops, including rice, cotton, wheat, cantaloupe, broccoli, and collards, adding turfgrass and forages to her repertoire when she joined the University of Arkansas as faculty in 2022. Dr. Wright-Smith’s program focuses on controlling problematic weeds in turfgrass systems and connecting turf professionals with relevant and timely research.
Douglas Bradley
Email: db089@uark.edu
Douglas Bradley attended Kansas State University. Douglas’ past and current job titles are Turf director for the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium for 5 years, Turf director for Cincinnati Bengals training facility for 18 years, University of Louisville superintendent of Athletic Fields for 2 years and now Director of turf grass at the University of Arkansas for 1 + year.
Mike Battaglia
My X handle is @MikeB_Turf
Mike Battaglia is currently a Masters Student at the University of Arkansas. He is originally from Syracuse, NY and received his bachelor’s degree in Golf and Sports Turf Management from SUNY Delhi. At the UofA, Mike’s research focuses on developing improved strategies for managing Spring Dead Spot.
Dr. Anthony Bowden
Email: abowden@uada.edu
Dr. Anthony Bowden is an Assistant Professor and Ornamental Specialist with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, where he contributes extensive expertise in ornamental horticulture to the commercial green industry in Arkansas. With a Ph.D. in Plant and Soil Sciences from Mississippi State University, Dr. Bowden specializes in developing innovative approaches to plant propagation and improving plant resilience in the face of abiotic stressors such as heat and drought. His research program centers on evaluating ornamental shrub responses to environmental stress, pioneering methods for applying root-promoting compounds, and testing new shrub cultivars for landscape suitability.
Dr. Bowden’s extension work reflects his dedication to practical, accessible education for industry professionals and the public. His outreach includes workshops on topics such as best practices in tree and shrub selection, propagation techniques, and sustainable landscape management. He has delivered numerous presentations on the Arkansas Diamonds Plant Program, urban forest health, and pollinator-friendly landscapes, reaching a broad audience from master gardeners to commercial nursery operators. His contributions to extension publications and public presentations demonstrate his commitment to sharing knowledge that enhances horticultural practices and promotes sustainable development across the industry.
Dr. Bowden’s professional affiliations and service reflect his passion for advancing horticulture through research, education, and outreach. He remains actively engaged with ASHS, the International Plant Propagators’ Society, and the Arkansas Green Industry Association, among others, fostering collaboration and promoting the adoption of science-based practices in ornamental horticulture.
Jason Davis
Cell: (501)749-2077
Email: jdavis@uada.edu
Dr. Jason Davis is an Assistant Professor of Remote Sensing and Pesticide Application with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. He has provided state-wide educational and technical assistance to county extension agents, producers, and applicators on application equipment selection, calibration, and drift mitigation in row-crop, pasture, turf, and specialty crop production systems with the Division for over 10 years. Additionally, he assists with the adoption, use, and development of Remote Sensing and GNSS technology, GIS applications, and precision agriculture equipment across these production systems.
Marco Schiavon
Twitter: @FLRECturf
Email: marcoschiavon@ufl.edu
Marco Schiavon, Ph.D., is an assistant professor, at UF/IFAS, Environmental Horticulture Department. His appointment is 60% research and 40% extension. He earned his bachelors in agronomical sciences and masters in agronomy with a focus on turfgrass science from University of Padua, Italy, and Ph.D. in agronomy from New Mexico State University. Upon completion of his doctoral dissertation, he moved to the University of California, Riverside where he worked as an assistant researcher in botany and plant sciences. He has published more than 50 refereed journal articles, one book chapter and he is an author of several extension publications that have also been translated to Spanish. His primary research interests include the identification of environmentally friendly management practices for turfgrass areas. Current work in the Schiavon lab focus on reducing inputs (e.g. Irrigation, fertilization, pesticide applications) for turfgrass areas to decrease potential environmental contaminations due to intensive management of landscape, while keeping turfgrass functionality and its related benefits to human environment.
Dr. Daniel O’Brien
Email: dobrien@usga.org
Dr. Daniel O’Brien joined the USGA in 2024 as Green Section Research Manager. In this role, Daniel provides support for the USGA’s approximately $2 million annual commitment to turfgrass research across the United States, which includes the Mike Davis Program for Advancing Golf Course Management, the 15/30/45 Initiative, and other projects.
Daniel earned his bachelor’s degree from Auburn University, and his master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas, working under Drs. Doug Karcher & Mike Richardson. Prior to joining the USGA Daniel worked as a sports field manager in Maryland and Alabama. During his time in graduate school, he also worked as a research technician. His graduate research focused largely on technologies for evaluating putting green surfaces, and on turfgrass soil surfactants.
