MTC Environmental Horticulture Students Tour Turf Farm
The Moultrie Tech Environmental Horticulture students traveled to Pike Creek Turf Farm in Adel, Georgia for a learning experience on turf production. Harold Pirkle, Marketing Manager of Pike Creek Turf, lead students on a tour of all the different turf fields. Students gained first-hand knowledge of how Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede and Paspalum sod are grown.
Senior student Josh Beaty stated, “I was amazed to see how quickly the sod was grown and harvested and how little soil they used from the ground”. For many students, this was the first time that they had seen exactly how turf was irrigated, fertilized, harvested and replanted. Mr. Pirkle also explained to the students the level of commitment that Pike Creek takes with the purity of their Centipede seed and varietal purity in their turfgrass production. The students were amazed at the high degree of quality that Pike Creek utilized by their best management practices in order to produce superior quality turf instead of just producing quantity of turf.
Another senior student, Matt Souter, stated, “With all the care and maintenance practices they take at Pike Creek Turf, if I was a golf course manager, I wouldn’t buy my turf anywhere else”.
In all aspects, the EHO students walked away with a great appreciation of turf management and the time it takes to grow the grass in their own backyard. The EHO students would like to thank Harold Pirkle and the management of Pike Creek Turf farm for allowing them to visit such a great place.
These Environmental Horticulture students are part of the dual- enrollment program with Moultrie Technical College and Tiftarea Academy. These students will receive credit toward technical college and high school at the same time. There are 44 dually-enrolled students currently in the EHO program through MTC. They are working toward a certificate in the Environmental Horticulture program. The certificates that are offered this year are: Floral Assistant, Horticulture Pesticide Applicator, Environmental Horticulture Technician, Turf grass Maintenance Technician, and Lawn Maintenance Specialist. The instructor is Cherie White, who has been instrumental in developing the program with Tiftarea Academy.
If you would like more information regarding this program, please contact Cherie White at 229-391-2641 at Moultrie Technical College.
Article written by Cherie White, EHO instructor
