The 2026 Purdue Turf and Landscape Field Day, hosted by the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation and Purdue University, took place on July 21 at the W.H. Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center in West Lafayette. A near-record crowd of 486 attendees traveled from 15 states to be there, a reach that shows how far the quality of the program and its presentations now draws people from beyond Indiana. They were joined by 36 exhibitors in the trade show. The weather cooperated beautifully, with early cloud cover giving way to afternoon sun and a steady, comfortable breeze that kept the grounds pleasant all day.
The morning featured a fast-moving lineup of research talks that rotated every fifteen minutes, with each topic delivered at least twice so attendees could catch the sessions that mattered most to their work. Across the full program, 22 different speakers took the podium, giving attendees direct access to a deep bench of Purdue faculty, staff, and industry experts. Together they covered a wide sweep of the green industry. Turf managers dug into fungicide strategies for disease, disease-resistant varieties, renovation practices, and slow and controlled release nitrogen. Lawn care and landscape professionals explored organic and conventional broadleaf weed control, spring dandelion management, caterpillar and scale insect control, soil amendments and soil health, and how to diagnose landscape plant problems. Others focused on autonomous mowing and its effect on fairway quality, tree care and risk assessment, keeping equipment secure and road ready, or regulation updates from the Office of Indiana State Chemist.
After lunch, attendees chose afternoon sessions that provided a deep dive on various topics. Options included painting logos and lines on sports fields for special events, saving money with smart weed control decisions, a comprehensive guide to chainsaw care, plant identification and removal, and revenue-driven marketing and value creation for green industry businesses. The longer format gave participants time to ask questions and work through real scenarios alongside the presenters.
The trade show ran from 8 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon, giving attendees plenty of time to connect with exhibitors showcasing the latest equipment, products, and technologies for the turf and landscape industry. Attendees also earned pesticide and continuing education credits recognized in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky, along with credits for several professional organizations, making the day a convenient way to stay current and licensed.
The real measure of Field Day, though, is what happens after everyone heads home. The large majority of participants, 83%, said they learned something new and 58% plan to share what they learned with peers or coworkers. Among returning attendees, 82% said they had already adopted practices, technologies, or knowledge gained from a prior year Field Day, underscoring the program’s lasting influence on daily operations. Attendees placed real economic value on the event, assigning it a median value of $200 with nearly half, 48%, indicating that the information they gained would help reduce costs at their organization. More than three quarters of respondents, 78%, attended in part to earn pesticide applicator license credits, reflecting the program’s role in supporting professional licensure across the green industry.
That combination of research-based knowledge, hands-on learning, and networking keeps professionals coming back and recommending the event to their colleagues year after year. Mark your calendar now for the 2027 Purdue Turf and Landscape Field Day on July 20 at the W.H. Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center in West Lafayette. We hope to see you there.
