Neighbor concerned about pesticides Cancel The title field is required!

1. Reece Jody D

   
   1/29/2013 11:01 AM

   Here in Southside Virginia we're not usually under quite the same scrutiny as some of you guys nationwide concerning our over use of environmentally toxic poisons we apply liberally, just so fat rich guys can enjoy chasing a little white ball for four hours a day on lush carpetlike turfgrass. But alas, all good thinks come to an end. Have had a request from a future adjacent property owner wanting me to tell him what chemicals we use in maintaining the fairways and greens because he is concerned about the toxicity. Given the ease of access to all the bad info out there concerning our industry, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say his concern is valid. However I suspect from the sound of the request, a simple list of chemicals could be potentially damaging? An internet search of MSDS sheets on each chemical could certainly lead to more concerns, especially in someone who may already have his mind made up. What resources have any of you used to help educate someone with these type of concerns?

   
   
   
   
2. Mark Van Lienden

   

   14 posts
   
   1/29/2013 12:01 PM

   I too am in southern Virginia and have found that the ag advisors do a pretty good job of explaining to land owners the safeness of pesticides that are available for use on a golf course.I am also a farmer and was shocked at was available to farmers without a license or training.After watching a few of my neighbors spray on crops over livestock at non-measured rates with no protective gear I would say the person in question has less to fear from what you are doing then he or she does from where their food is coming from.

   
   
   
   
3. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   1/29/2013 12:01 PM

   Jody Reece said: Here in Southside Virginia we're not usually under quite the same scrutiny as some of you guys nationwide concerning our over use of environmentally toxic poisons we apply liberally, just so fat rich guys can enjoy chasing a little white ball for four hours a day on lush carpetlike turfgrass. But alas, all good thinks come to an end. Have had a request from a future adjacent property owner wanting me to tell him what chemicals we use in maintaining the fairways and greens because he is concerned about the toxicity. Given the ease of access to all the bad info out there concerning our industry, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say his concern is valid. However I suspect from the sound of the request, a simple list of chemicals could be potentially damaging? An internet search of MSDS sheets on each chemical could certainly lead to more concerns, especially in someone who may already have his mind made up. What resources have any of you used to help educate someone with these type of concerns?

   
   
   You have guys playing four hour rounds?
   
   I agree with Mark and ask your ag advisor, they probably have dealt with similar situations, if that is who responds to complaints dealing with pesticides.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
4. Rosenthal Gregg

   
   1/29/2013 7:01 PM

   Good time to be a Audubon Cooperative Stewardship member! They support proper use of turfgrass products and what and why we do what we do! Check them out! I have had three golf courses become members, then won an award for just being safe and sound in how we maintain the golf course, protecting the environment we deal with daily, Just as you do every day, safe and simple. Just look at their website and lots of information to support you!
   
   GreggR

   
   
   
   
5. Dale Fender

   

   0 posts
   
   1/30/2013 8:01 PM

   Show him the L.D.'s of the various chemicals that he would be familiar with i.e. nicotine ,round-up etc. Then show him the ones that you might commonly use. Eye opener for the uneducated. Also ask him about the type of lawn care chemicals being used on his yard now.

   
   
   
   
6. Sean Hoolehan

   

   0 posts
   
   1/31/2013 8:01 AM

   Jody,
   
   You have already had lots of good advice. I would add that I would turn the information (and as much as you can supply) over to your owners/upper management to handle this request. This does 2 things, it makes them aware of just what lengths you go to manage that carpet, and it puts them in the appropriate position of managing the legal consequences of turning this over. This could be a lot of work once but you will generally not have to deal with this to a large extent again. Remember all the products you use are legal and federally approved for this use. Do not get defensive.
   
   1. Make a list of products applied, dates applied, rates and equipment used.
   2. Print off copies of labels for each product.
   3. Turn this over to your direct supervisor and offer to answer any additional questions.
   
   Good luck,

   
   
   
   
7. Gary Carls

   

   20 posts
   
   1/31/2013 9:01 AM

   One thing that I don't think was mentioned here is that the supplier or manufacturer can also offer support. Fortunately it doesn't happen a lot but we had a situation many years ago where a golfer wasn't happy with everything we provided him including labels etc. but the folks at Scotts (Andersons) got involved with their technical people and that made the guy happy.

   
   Gary K. Carls, CGCS, President - Oakland Turfgrass Education Initiative