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Bayer CropScience to Launch Plant Health Research and Education ProgramRESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Feb 04, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE via COMTEX) -- via PRWEB - Environmental Science, a division of Bayer CropScience LP, will launch Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow, a multi-faceted program aimed at advancing plant health research and education for superintendents to help ensure the health of their courses - and the industry - for the future. The program will include in-person training for selected superintendent applicants, as well as plant health-focused demonstration courses, webinars and scholarships - all of which are intended to help superintendents understand and apply the principles of plant health and increase the long-term sustainability of their courses. Just as human health care has evolved from simply treating disease to comprehensive efforts to prevent its occurrence, so too has plant health care evolved to focus on not only treating symptoms, but also protecting and fortifying plants as a strategy to promote plant health. Through the Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow program, Bayer will bring industry-leading plant health and plant science expertise directly to further educate superintendents so that they may provide a viable long term, sustainable solution for the industry. "Bayer takes a holistic approach to plant care - maximizing natural plant defenses while better managing resources," said Jose Milan, head of the turf and ornamentals business at Bayer. "This creates a system resulting in healthier, more functional plants with better managed inputs." To fund the Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow program, Bayer will invest a percentage of sales of its StressGard(TM) Formulation Technology product sales each year for three years, which is expected to generate a minimum of $100,000 per year for the Environmental Institute for Golf. The funds will be dedicated to not only fund the new program, but to support EIFG funding for research, education, advocacy and communication. "We are appreciative of Bayer Environmental Science's backing of the Environmental Institute for Golf. It demonstrates a commitment to the future of the game," said Rhett Evans, Chief Executive Officer of the GCSAA and the EIFG. "The funds will be invested in research-based programs that will support golf course superintendents and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of their operations." The initiative will create the Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow Plant Health Academy, which will consist of a two-part immersive plant health curriculum that will involve classroom training at GCSAA in Lawrence, Kan., and in-the-field training at the Bayer Training and Development Center in Clayton, N.C. A select number of superintendents - 12 annually - will be invited to participate in the academy, with all expenses covered by the Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow program. Superintendents who are interested to learn more can sign up to receive updates about Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow at http://www.backedbybayer.com/healthy-turf. "Bayer is uniquely positioned to provide technologies and the depth of knowledge to optimize plant and community health," said Milan. "Our support of the EIFG is a natural result of our shared commitment to education and sustainable practices and will help ensure the health of superintendents' courses - and that of the industry - now and in the future." To further generate new data and case studies on plant health and its benefits, two golf courses per year will be designated as Plant Health Demonstration Courses. These courses will serve as 'living labs,' where researchers and superintendents can work together to implement and test plant health technologies in a real-world setting. Golf course superintendents can take advantage of the latest advances in plant care by attending the Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow Plant Health Webinar series, which will feature industry experts discussing a number of topics pertaining to plant health. The program also will involve the creation and designation of Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow Plant Health Scholarships dedicated to plant health research and education. Bayer has been developing products with plant health attributes for nearly 20 years, starting with the origin of its StressGard Formulation Technology, which is now featured in four Bayer fungicides, including Tartan(R), Chipco(R) Triton(R) Flo, Interface(R), and Chipco(R) Signature(TM). This technology helps fortify natural plant defenses and promote plant growth. To learn more about StressGard FT and other Bayer solutions, please visit backedbybayer.com. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, StressGard, Tartan, Chipco, Triton, Interface, and Signature are registered trademarks of BAYER. Bayer CropScience is committed to bringing new technology and solutions for agriculture and non-agricultural uses. For questions concerning the availability and use of products, contact a local Bayer CropScience representative, or visit Bayer CropScience online at http://www.bayercropscience.us. ### About Bayer CropScience Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, agriculture and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience, the subgroup of Bayer AG responsible for the agricultural business, has annual sales of EUR 7.255 billion (2011) and is one of the world's leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of seeds, crop protection and non-agricultural pest control. The company offers an outstanding range of products including high value seeds, innovative crop protection solutions based on chemical and biological modes of action as well as an extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture. In the area of non-agricultural applications, Bayer CropScience has a broad portfolio of products and services to control pests from home and garden to forestry applications. The company has a global workforce of 21,000 and is represented in more than 120 countries. This and further news is available at: press.bayercropscience.com. About the EIFG The EIFG is the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, and has as its mission to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. With respect for the game and the environment, the EIFG inspires environmental, social and economic progress through golf for the benefit of communities. Collaboration between the golf industry, environmental interests and communities will lead to programs and services beneficial to all who come into contact with the game of golf. Visit the EIFG at eifg.org. About GCSAA GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to nearly 18,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA's mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Find GCSAA on Facebook, follow GCSAA on Twitter, and visit GCSAA at gcsaa.org. Contact: Bayer CropScience Media Hotline, 1-877-879-6162, or USA-BCS-2013-0021 Find more information at bayercropscience.us. Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments. This article was originally distributed on PRWeb. For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/2/prweb10388637.htm CONTACT: Global Prairie Ciara Ahern [email protected] (216) 374-1274 //www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/ti nf=MTMjMTAwMjA0NjAjMjQwNzA= |