Agricultural Science Resources

Introducing the SFMA Turfgrass Science Certification

Date: September 25th, 2024

Presenters: Nick McKenna, Asst. Athletics Director, Sports Fields, Texas A&M Athletics & Lati Sehon, Curriculum Alignment & Assessment Specialist, iCEV

Equip your students for successful careers in sports field management with the new SFMA Turfgrass Science Certification. Specifically designed for educators, this webinar will show you how to enhance your curriculum and give your students a competitive edge in the industry. We’ll dive into the certification’s core components, the essential skills and knowledge it provides, and offer practical strategies for seamlessly integrating it into your teaching—empowering your students to thrive in this fast-growing field.

Introduction to Agriscience

This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of the agricultural industry. Students are introduced to the various sectors of agriculture and challenged to analyze career opportunities and develop foundational knowledge in each sector. This course will allow students to gauge their interest in various sectors to better prepare for future agricultural sciences courses.

Turfgrass Management

This course explores the science of turfgrass, from the ideal soil medium to the management practices necessary for maintaining high-quality playing fields for athletes. Throughout the course, students will gain foundational knowledge in turfgrass management through engaging, hands-on instructional materials, which include two lab challenges and a comprehensive capstone project.

Animal Science

This course examines the interrelatedness of human, scientific, and technological dimensions of livestock production. This course is to prepare students for a career in the field of animal science. Students will cover topics like Livestock Reproduction, Animal Welfare Basics, and much more.

Plant & Soil Science

This course includes lessons that begin with fundamental knowledge within a real-world context, teaching students about careers in the plant and soil science field and broad topics, such as scientific procedures and natural resources. Lessons then move on to technical knowledge regarding plants, such as anatomy, processes, genetics, classification, nomenclature, and pest identification and management. Additionally, students will be introduced to soils and crop production across the U.S.

NRCS Fundamentals of Conservation & Sustainability in Agriculture Certification

This certification verifies individuals have obtained exceptional knowledge and skills in the areas of conservation and sustainability of various natural resources including soil, water, plants, animals and air.

SFMA Turfgrass Science Certification

This certification validates individuals have acquired knowledge and skills in turfgrass development, turfgrass environment, preparation, practices and benefits.

What Is the SFMA Turfgrass Science Certification?

The SFMA Turfgrass Science Certification is a beginner-level credential that assesses basic turfgrass industry knowledge and skills for entry-level roles. Earning this certification demonstrates a strong grasp of foundational principles and distinguishes candidates for successful sports field management careers.