Another great show!

The 13th annual Organic Turf and Tree Show took place on
February 29, 2012 and was, by all accounts, a great success. Held at SUNY Farmingdale State College for the fourth year in a row, professional landscapers and arborists, school and municipal groundskeepers, parks officials, and home gardeners from all over Long Island and the northeast were in attendance. Many attendees were long-time veterans of the show while others were first-timers.

Professional Tree & Turf Supply in Lindenhurst, who shares an organizational commitment with the Neighborhood Network in protecting Long Island’s environment, sponsored this one of a kind show. A family owned and operated company since 1958, and the largest Arborist Supply Company in the Northeast, PTTS carries a full and varied line of natural, organic products for trees, turf and ornamentals.

More than twenty exhibitors attended the show and collectively presented hundreds of products to help maintain green, healthy turf without the use of synthetic products. Exhibitors also included The Sustainability Institute at Molloy College, Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

Greener Country, a socially responsible Long Island company that offers a full line of high quality green and environmentally preferable products for homes and businesses, and Stew Leonard’s Wines in Farmingdale made generous donations for this year’s raffle.

This year featured another stellar line-up of expert speakers in the field. Speakers included, Vincent Palmer and Jon Fradua of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation who teamed up to start the show off with a presentation of the DEC’s Long Island Pesticide Use Management Plan (LIPUMP) & Be Green Organic Yards program. Vincent Simeone from Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park detailed how to implement a successful Integrated Pest Management program as part of a sustainable environment. This year also featured show veteran, Peter Schmidt of Compostwerks, Inc. who discussed the value of biological and non-chemical controls, organic fertilizers and soil amendments in the management of growing systems. Presenting for the very first time was Mark Cappellino from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County who presented a session on why proper use, pesticide reduction, best management practices and organic landscaping are important for maintaining local water quality. Rounding out the day was another show veteran; Al Lane of Professional Tree & Turf Supply shared his expertise of specific natural, organic, and biological products for control of insects on ornamentals, trees and residential turf.

As we’ve heard in years past, attendees of this year’s show said they found it exciting and inspiring to be in attendance, see the high level of interest, and to network and associate with other professionals interested in going the organic route.

All of us at the Neighborhood Network are pleased to be playing a role with all of you.

Thank you.

Demosthenes Maratos

Sponsored by:

Professional Tree & Turf Supply

Workshops and Speakers

Workshop 1, NYSDEC LI Pesticide Use Management Plan & DEC Regulatory Update
Vincent A. Palmer and Jon Fradua, New York State DEC
More than 100 pesticides and pesticide breakdown products have been found in Long Island’s groundwater. Long Islanders are choosing organic yard care, as a way of reducing their risk of exposure to pesticides and potential hazards for family, animals and the environment. Mr. Palmer discussed the LI Pesticide Use Management Plan; mechanisms the plan recommends to minimize the impact pesticides have on groundwater and to encourage the continued use of emerging pest management technologies that do not require the use of conventional pesticides. Mr. Fradua presented Be Green Organic Yards NY, and explained how landscapers can sign up to use the Be Green service mark and make an agreement that they will avoid synthetic pesticides. In addition, Mr. Fradua presented attendees with an update of DEC regulations with regard to organic lawn and tree care.

Workshop 2, Creating a Sustainable Landscape
Vincent Simeone, Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
Now more than ever, it is important for landscapers and gardeners to develop sustainable ways to manage the landscape. With limited natural resources and growing challenges in the garden, finding long-term ways to sustain our landscapes is essential. Mr. Simeone provided ways to create a more sustainable environment around us including recycling, habitat management, managing invasive species, composting and proper plant selection. The presentation also detailed how to implement a successful Integrated Pest Management program as part of a sustainable environment.

Workshop 3, Organic Soil Remediation Technologies for Organic Tree and Shrub Care
Peter Schmidt, Compostwerks, Inc.
Keeping trees and shrubs healthy is all about having the right biology in place. Mr. Schmidt discussed methods for reducing pesticide use in your growing systems. Participants learned the value of biological and non-chemical controls, organic fertilizers and soil amendments in the management of these complex systems.

Workshop 4, Landscape Practices to Protect the Quality of Our Surface Water
Mark Cappellino, Cornell Cooperative Extension
Long Island has a long history of finfish and shellfish harvesting. Today commercial and recreation fishing add millions of dollars to our local economy. Recent field and lab research has shown that pesticide residue from storm water runoff and ground water seepage is harmful to the aquatic environment. Mr. Cappellino’s presentation focused on storm water pollution and why proper use, pesticide reduction best management practices and organic landscaping are important for maintaining local water quality and the fishing industry.

Workshop 5, Insect and Weed Control on Ornamentals, Trees and Turf Using Biological and Non-chemical Practices
Al Lane, Professional Tree & Turf Supply Co.
Mr. Lane presented a detailed overview of specific natural, organic, and biological products for insect control on ornamentals, trees and residential turf. Insect control products discussed included horticultural oils, insecticidal soaps and pyrethrum, among others. Weed control products included a discussion of corn gluten, iron HEDTA and citrus oils. The presentation also focused on methodology and timing applications for the best results.

2012 VENDORS INCLUDED:

All Pro Horticulture
Compostwerks
Connecticut NOFA / OrganicLand Care Program
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Fertrell
Greener Country
Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition (HBCAC)
ISLAND BIO-GREENS
Jonathan Green & Sons Inc.
Lebanon Seaboard - PCH
The Long Island Arboricultural Association, Inc.
LI Compost
North Country Organics
NY Landscape Contractor Magazine
NYSDEC
The Peconic Estuary Program
Plant Health Alternatives
Professional Tree & Turf Supply
South Country Arboriculture, Inc

Please contact the Neighborhood Network at 631-963-5454 for more information about the Organic Turf and Tree Show.