National Organic Leaders to Present 2010 Midwest Organic Lawn Care & Landscaping Conference

The 2010 Midwest Organic Lawn Care and Landscaping Conference will bring the nation’s preeminent horticultural leaders to the Midwest for a first-of-its-kind two day symposium focusing on environmentally acceptable solutions for an evolving industry.

Featuring SafeLawns Foundation founder Paul Tukey as keynote presenter, along with renowned landscape architect Howard Garrett, revolutionary arborist Peter Wild, and award-winning golf course superintendent Jeff Carlson, the conference will be presented by Chickity Doo Doo Organic Fertilizer on Jan. 28-29, 2010, at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison. Open to the public ‚ as well as lawn and landscape professionals, golf course managers and superintendents, government officials, soil and agronomy scientists and municipal officials and grounds staff ‚ the seminars will showcase successful techniques to save time, money and protect water supplies as well as human and animal health.

“We often hear that individuals, families and companies want to participate in the ‘green’ movement in practical and meaningful ways,” said John Weiss, president of Chickity Doo Doo of Madison, an emerging national leader in the organic marketplace. “Lawn care is one practical method that has immediate benefits for your community, family and pets. The problem is that consumers and lawn care professionals have many questions on how to make the transition. As a result we partnered with Paul Tukey and the SafeLawns Foundation who have been recognized as industry leaders. ”

Tukey, author of the best-selling book The Organic Lawn Care Manual, said he personally selected Garrett, from Dallas, Texas, Carlson of Martha’s Vineyard, and Wild, from Boston, Massachusetts to join him at the Madison event.

“All of these men have been offering organic, effective solutions in the field for more than 30 years,” said Tukey. “Howard Garrett has built natural, sustainable landscapes at corporate headquarters across the country and advised dozens of golf courses on making the organic transition. Peter Wild has run an organic tree care company since 1977 and is considered a leading expert. He has also patented tree injection techniques for dealing with exotic invasive pests, including the emerald ash borer that is decimating some Midwest forests. When it comes to organic care of golf courses, Jeff Carlson is the world’s leader. Every single day he creates championship level playing conditions without pesticides.”

The 2010 Midwest Organic Lawn Care and Landscaping Conference will be divided into two days, with Jan. 28 focusing on the needs of professionals across all landscape disciplines. The Jan. 29 session will showcase political trends and practical solutions for municipalities, with a special emphasis on emerging pesticide and fertilizer restrictions.

All attendees may attend both days’ sessions, which will include the Jan. 28 evening premiere of A Chemical Reaction (www.ChemicalReactionMovie.com), the critically acclaimed film produced by Paul Tukey that focuses on the first town in North America ever to ban lawn and garden pesticides.

For more information, including ticket prices, exhibitor/sponsor registration, and specific session information as it becomes available, visit http://www.organiclawnconference.com. For media inquiries, please contact Dale Didion at 202-544-5430 or ddidion@didiongroup.com.