DEP: Organic Land Care DVD
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Department of
Environmental Protection
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-5127
 
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(860) 424-3000
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Transitioning To Organic Land Care In Your Town

 
 
  What Other Towns Are Doing Information on Pesticide Risks Related Topics
 
Are you ready to make the transition from using synthetic (conventional) fertilizers to organic?  We have a video that can help you get started.
 
There is a law banning pesticides from the grounds of day care, elementary and middle schools  (grades 8 and lower) that will go into effect July 1, 2010. Many Connecticut residents are also demanding that their town officials step up and provide pesticide-free municipal playing fields, too.     

The DEP's Office of Pollution Prevention has produced a 7-˝ minute video for municipal officials who want to learn more about what it takes to "go organic." The Connecticut Chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) and the UCONN Plant Science Department provided technical expertise.                          

Video topics include:                                       

  • What is meant by organic land care {Organic Land Care DVD Cover}
  • On-location interviews with Cheshire and Granby town officials who talk about their experiences implementing organic land care on their playing fields 
  • Benefits and potential challenges of going organic                                                                            
 

If you would like a free copy of the Organic Land Care video on a DVD, e-mail Judy Prill or call her at 860-424-3694.

 
 
Some products can be purchased through the Capitol Region Purchasing Council (scroll down to "Grass and Seed Fertilizer Bid documents") or call Jennifer March-Walker at 860-522-2217.
 

DEP is in its third year partnering with NOFA to provide technical assistance to municipalities in converting to organic methods to manage their turf playing fields. DEP and NOFA are working with Manchester and Watertown to transition from conventional pesticides and fertilizers on soccer and baseball fields.

One of the most challenging parts of moving to Organic Land Care is the cost of organic fertilizers compared with conventional ones. Utilizing "free" compost produced from town leaves is one of the best responses to this challenge. Organic land care specialists recommend that the compost be tested before application and results compared with the needs of the turf soil for nutrients, organic matter and biology.

For more information contact Mary Sherwin at 860-424-3246 or Judy Prill at 860-424-3694.

 
Beyond Pesticides provides information on the risks to children who play on fields treated with conventional pesticides.
 
 
Find out how organic land care fits into the objectives of Recommendation #36:  “Reduce Use of Non-Farm Fertilizer” in the Connecticut Climate Change Action Plan.
 
 

Content Last Updated July 2009








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