University of Tennessee Turfgrass Science and Management Team hosts several events throughout the year, including BEACON and Turf Tuesdays. Explore them more below.
BEACON
BEACON is an annual turfgrass career and industry event held each October in Knoxville, bringing together students, employers, researchers, and industry professionals. This two-day event features a career fair and networking programming on Day 1, followed by a session dedicated to interviewing and an industry employer panel on Day 2. The program is designed to support workforce development and strengthen connections across the turfgrass industry.
BEACON will be held October 13th – 14th, 2026 in Knoxville, TN.
Turf Tuesdays
This is a monthly webinar series designed to provide individuals managing golf courses, sports fields, residential/commercial lawns, and sod farms with the latest research on optimizing turfgrass aesthetic and functional quality via sustainable cultural and pest management practices. During the growing season, spend your lunch hour (11:30-12:30 EDT) with us once a month to earn a recertification credit and learn something new! Join the mailing list.
2026 UT/TSU Extension Events Calendar for Turfgrass and Green Industry Professionals
This calendar highlights Extension-led professional development opportunities for turfgrass managers and green industry professionals across Tennessee in 2026. Events include a mix of in-person programs and virtual learning opportunities designed to support continuing education, workforce development, and applied management decision-making.
Updated July 6th, 2026
JULY 7 | TURF TUESDAYS: LANDSCAPE ORNAMENTAL MANAGEMENT
UPDATE
Location: Virtual
Points offered?: Yes
More Information: https://www.tnturfgrassweeds.org/turftuesday
Contact: Dr. Jim Brosnan (jbrosnan@utk.edu)
JULY 15 | BEAT THE HEAT ON THE PLATEAU
Location: Plateau AgResearch and Education Center, 320 Experiment Station Rd., Crossville,
TN 38571
Points offered?: Yes
More Information: https://uthort.tennessee.edu/uthort-pros/, https://plantsciences.tennessee.edu/turfgrass/
Contact: Dr. Becky Grubbs Bowling (rgrubbs5@utk.edu) or Mr. Gregg Upchurch (gupchurch@utk.edu)
JULY 23 | BEAT THE HEAT IN WEST TENNESSEE
Location: Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove Rd.,Memphis, TN 38120
Points offered?: Yes
More Information: https://uthort.tennessee.edu/uthort-pros/, https://plantsciences.tennessee.edu/turfgrass/
Contact: Dr. Becky Grubbs Bowling (rgrubbs5@utk.edu) or Mr. Joseph Seago (jseago@utk.edu)
JULY 30 | BEAT THE HEAT IN THE SCENIC CITY
Location: Chattanooga, TN (venue forthcoming)
Points offered?: Yes
More Information: https://uthort.tennessee.edu/uthort-pros/, https://plantsciences.tennessee.edu/turfgrass/
Contact: Dr. Becky Grubbs Bowling (rgrubbs5@utk.edu) or Haley Treadway (haleytreadway@utk.edu)
AUGUST 4 | TURF TUESDAYS: FIREFLY – A NEW GOLF COURSE PROPERTY IN
TENNESSEE
Location: Virtual
Points offered?: Yes
More Information: https://www.tnturfgrassweeds.org/turftuesday
Contact: Dr. Jim Brosnan (jbrosnan@utk.edu)
AUGUST 13 | BEAT THE HEAT IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Location: Rutherford County, TN
Points offered?: Yes
More Information: https://uthort.tennessee.edu/uthort-pros/, https://plantsciences.tennessee.edu/turfgrass/
Contact: Dr. Becky Grubbs Bowling (rgrubbs5@utk.edu); Mr. Justin Stefanski (jski@utk.edu)
AUGUST 21 | BEAT THE HEAT IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS
Location: Knox County, TN
Points offered?: Yes
More Information: https://uthort.tennessee.edu/uthort-pros/, https://plantsciences.tennessee.edu/turfgrass/
Contact: Dr. Becky Grubbs Bowling (rgrubbs5@utk.edu)
SEPTEMBER 1 | TURF TUESDAYS: TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT AT LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN CLUB
Location: Virtual
Points offered?: Yes
More Information: https://www.tnturfgrassweeds.org/turftuesday
Contact: Dr. Jim Brosnan (jbrosnan@utk.edu)
OCTOBER 6 | TURF TUESDAYS: A HISTORIC CAREER IN TURFGRASS EXTENSION
Location: Virtual
Points offered?: Yes
More Information: https://www.tnturfgrassweeds.org/turftuesday
Contact: Dr. Jim Brosnan (jbrosnan@utk.edu)
OCTOBER 13–14 | BEACON 26 (BRIDGING EDUCATION, CAREERS, AND OPPORTUNITIES IN TURFGRASS)
Location: Knoxville, TN
Points offered?: No
More Information: https://plantsciences.tennessee.edu/turfgrass-2/events/
Contact: Dr. Becky Grubbs Bowling (rgrubbs5@utk.edu)
OCTOBER 22 | WEST TN LAWN & LANDSCAPE REVIEW
Location: Jackson, TN
Points offered?: Yes
Contact: Celeste Luckey Scott (cscott52@utk.edu)
NOVEMBER 4 & 5 | COMMERCIAL HORTICULTURE EXPO
Location: Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove Rd., Memphis, TN 38120
Points offered?: Yes
Contact: Mr. Joseph Seago (jseago@utk.edu) | Shelby County Extension Office (901-752-1207)
EARLY 2027 EVENTS TO WATCH FOR:
Middle Tennessee Landscape and Grounds Short Course (January)
Chattanooga (CHA) Landscape Short Course (January)
Knox County Grounds Maintenance Short Course – Day 1 (January)