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ARKANSAS TURFGRASS

My name is Wendell Hutchens. I am the new Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Science in the Department of Horticulture at the University of Arkansas. I am originally from the small town of Stuart tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia. I received my bachelor’s degree in turfgrass science and master’s degree in turfgrass pathology from North Carolina State University, and I recently completed my PhD in turfgrass pathology at Virginia Tech studying spring dead spot of bermudagrass. I hope to continue some of my work with spring dead spot at the University of Arkansas. I will be researching mainly turfgrass diseases in this position due to my expertise in turfgrass pathology, but I will also conduct research on the use of new technologies such as drones and GPS-guided sprayers in turfgrass management, winter survivability of warm-season turfgrasses, general agronomic practices to best manage both cool- and warm-season grasses, and implementation of low-input grasses and management strategies for turfgrass systems.

I look forward to meeting and working with the turfgrass professionals throughout the state of Arkansas and the surrounding region. I will be highly active in extension and consulting for these turfgrass professionals, and I hope to develop strong relationships with the stakeholders throughout Arkansas. My goal is to be available to the turfgrass professionals and help in any way I can. I am also excited to teach turfgrass science classes to the undergraduate students at the University of Arkansas. I hope to grow the numbers of the program through extensive recruiting and outreach efforts.

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My name is Hannah Wright. I grew up on a small family farm in the mountains of western South Carolina where we grew vegetables, mostly tomatoes, peas, and okra, and sold to local, upscale restaurants in a nearby northeast Georgia town. When I started middle school, my father encouraged me to join the school’s golf team and I fell in love with the game. I played throughout middle and high school, making the varsity team as a freshman. The local course we played was stunning; carved into the side of a mountain with a creek meandering through almost every hole, and I fondly remember having the privilege of playing that course from spring to fall.

After high school I attended Mississippi State University for Agribusiness, then the University of Arkansas for a master’s degree in weed science. Not only did I receive an excellent education in weed identification and management, but I fell in love with the state. Believe me, it was an extremely difficult decision to leave and return to Georgia to complete my education in weed science. It is an honor to return to Arkansas and serve as the Extension Weed Specialist for turf and specialty crops. Though my education has focused on row and specialty crop production, I believe it laid a solid foundation for me to be successful in a turfgrass role. As someone who has spent many days on the golf course, I understand the weed management needs of course superintendents and am excited to work with that group as well as other sectors of the turfgrass industry.

My goal is to be a resource for turfgrass managers and growers in weed identification and provide the best recommendations that are economically and ecologically sound. The University of Arkansas already has an outstanding turfgrass program, as the Extension weed specialist I want to continue on the path of excellence and further the reach of the program. I’m looking forward to joining the turfgrass program this fall and am excited to get to work!