MTC Environmental Horticulture Students Visit Pike Creek Turf
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| Pictured recently at Pike Creek Turf Farm in Adel, Georgia, students from Moultrie Technical College’s Environmental Horticulture (EHO) dual enrollment program at Tiftarea Academy learned how the turf fields are grown and maintained. |
A Dual Enrollment Student’s perspective
Written by Lauren Mauldin, Environmental Horticulture student
TIFTON, GA. Recently, dually-enrolled Moultrie Technical College and Tiftarea Academy students visited Pike Creek Turf Farm in Adel, Georgia, to learn more about turf grass. Harold Pirkle, marketing manager at Pike Creek, gave the Horticulture students a tour of both fields and equipment.
Upon arriving at the turf farm, Pirkle led students to the state-of-the-art sprig washer that aids in washing the dirt off the sprigs so that they are eligible for international shipping. Students were even able to see the process of cleaning with the use of high-powered water jets. Along with watching the process, students were shown where the sprigs were stored after they were cleaned. This equipment is the most recent addition to the turf farm and will, no doubt, prove to be quite beneficial.
After seeing the sprig washer, students traveled to a Tifway 419 field where most of the farm’s sprigs come from. Pirkle explained to the students that Tifway is mainly used on fairways, and also revealed that Dr. Burton created this particular breed in Tifton. After visiting the Tifway field, Pirkle allowed students to witness sod being cut in a Mayer-Zoysia field. Students were also able to feel the grass with their hands to feel the difference between this variety and the last. Furthermore, the group traveled to a seashore Paspalum field where Seaisle1 grew. This popular breed has recently become known due to its excellent hold against the salt in nearby coastal areas, and also because of its great performance on the golf course. After returning to the main office, Pirkle showed students some various pieces of equipment that aid in the automatic laying of sprigs.
All in all, both students and teachers thoroughly enjoyed the trip and look forward to applying their new knowledge to their dual enrollment Moultrie Technical College Environmental Horticulture classes.
Lauren Mauldin is a junior at Tiftarea Academy and in her first year in the Environmental Horticulture program.
For more information on the program, contact instructor Cherie White at (229) 873-2773 or at cwhite@moultrietech.edu.
