Randy Booker

@samdknowlton Sam change farmer to golf course superintendent and crops to turf and you have another very relative post. Understanding the relationship between the plant and soil is key to a biological plan

Over the past 30 years, global pesticide use has increased by 105%, even as farmland has decreased by approximately 1 million square kilometers Despite this significant increase in pesticide use, we still lose between 20-40% of all crops to pests and disease each year. As farmers increase pesticide applications, target pests inevitably develop resistance, forcing growers to apply greater quantities or switch to more potent chemical formulations. These broad-spectrum pesticides decimate beneficial insects, natural predators, and essential soil microorganisms – nature's own pest control system. This destruction of natural biological controls creates a vacuum where pest populations can explode, driving farmers to reach yet again for the chemical solution. The result is a vicious cycle: more pesticides lead to stronger pests and weaker natural defenses, necessitating even more pesticides. This "chemical treadmill" has trapped farmers in an expensive and ecologically destructive cycle, where each step toward chemical intensification makes it harder to step off. The irony is particularly bitter – our attempts to control nature through chemistry have made our agricultural systems more vulnerable than ever before.

@SE_ResearchFarm Many suppliers out there with quality products - @AgsolCanada @turfsol @ntsaustralia @EvergreenbioInn, blackearth.com I use it as a component of all spray applications of golf turf - a fantastic chelator and soil biology food more specifically for fungi. Sprayed

Hey people using humic acid! Where are you getting it and what are you using it for. I think it's high time we get some trials going here.

@francisdmarion Dilution is not actually doing anything except thickening the layer, why not degrade it with biology and cycle the nutrients #dregradationisthesolution No need to verticut, aerate or turf disturbance as the thatch degrades and becomes beneficial OM (humus)

7th dormant topdressing since Dec. 1. Greens mowed and rolled as predicted high touches 70°F. #DilutionIsTheSolution

Why do we try to control the pathogens when we could instead support the natural ecosystem? A challenge issued to the turf industry by @RandyBookerOCGC at #OTS2023

@Deborah_LVS Once again a “ solution” to all the problems. If it’s a solution to the problem why does it need to be applied again after 28 days. If I have to take medication on a continual basis is that considered healthy? These products do not promote health!! They only suppress symptoms

Wishing I did go to Florida now! I have questions…🤔👩‍🏫🙋‍♀️ “The company says Resilia’s three active ingredients control all major soilborne pathogens for up to 28 days and suppress root-damaging nematode populations”

@samdknowlton 1) we can control plants … 2) chemistry rules decision making

It was once widely believed that the earth was flat. What is the modern-day equivalent in agriculture?

@symbioRich @PhilColl_ICL @Rothamsted A speaking engagement at BTME24?? I’d love to share my learnings and experiences and assist others in making the shift to healthy soils = healthy plants #regenerativeturf #createcoaches #turfevolution

@RandyBookerOCGC @PhilColl_ICL @Rothamsted Exactly! I guess you got some really good insights on the CREATE program with Nicole?

We ran a trial a while back looking at organic, organo-mineral and mineral fertilizers - thought I'd share a few slides as I think its a nice piece of work with interesting conclusions. PLFA testing was used to investigate soil life.

@symbioRich @PhilColl_ICL @Rothamsted Once in a lifetime experience! As much of a dive into ecology, soils and biology as it was in our own thoughts and paradigms. I certainly came out of the experience with a much better understanding of our role as humans.

@mwallenstein It’s ALIVE!

What are the most important paradigm shifts in the last 20 years in soil science? For someone who took a soils class 20 years ago, what do they need to know that's different than they were taught?

@PhilColl_ICL @symbioRich @Rothamsted I recently had some PLFA testing done along with microscopy as well as dna by BiomeMakers of the same soil. Interesting for sure and I believe it’s the way forward for us to assist (not control) Nature.

@symbioRich @Rothamsted No please share Richard!! Always happy to learn. What do you make of PLFA testing? Could help push forward understanding of the soil biology world? We may differ on my opinion but I think so much to understand and theres quite a bit of running before we walk in our industry?

@NEIowaAgEng Brian as you know change never happens until it is forced upon us. May this be a lesson for the world not just those states that are behind the 8 ball. Long term thoughts are needed now

We may only be a few years away from growing a lot more veggies in the Midwest. Hitting minimum power pool or dead pool would lead to disruption that this country is totally unprepared for. latimes.com/environment/st…

@golfsuper1992 what a refreshing change the Acres USA conference is No talk of chemicals or pressures to buy the last way greatest hammer to kill something. This is the mindset I like. Thanks for the push to attend #SoilHealth #regenerativeturf #turfevolution

@johnkempf You can’t grow turf without chemicals

What is a myth you are tired of hearing repeated?

@KyoungWGC Thanks Kyle. I’ve learnt some really cool things over the last couple years that explain lots of what I’ve been seeing. #agroecology #metagenomics

@RandyBookerOCGC Congrats Randy. Keep moving forward.

The opportunity of a lifetime, I’m very proud and excited to be part of such a passionate group of people. m.facebook.com/story.php?stor…

@golfsuper1992 @soilfirst Ok, I’ll take notes. Looking forward to spending a full day with Kris Nichols and John Kempf.

@RandyBookerOCGC @soilfirst I don’t think anyone will be there this year. I attended the Healthy Soil Summit this summer in Sacramento. It was great

@golfsuper1992 Curiosity grows every day Kevin. Thanks for the support and chats. Will I see the Earthworks gang at Acres in 2 weeks @soilfirst. It’s time for turf to move forward with a regenerative mindset for the good of the industry

@RandyBookerOCGC This is so awesome. Excited for you, sir. Keep curious and sharing your journey 😎

@michael_Allturf Thanks Michael.

Good luck Randy!

@turfsol Thanks for the support and help along the way. It’s time to kick the turf world into a regenerative mind

@RandyBookerOCGC Congrats Randy on you passion and hard work

@samdknowlton My pleasure Sam. I’d love to chat sometime as I’m embarking on a Coaching/teaching journey

@RandyBookerOCGC Thanks Randy!

The essential role soil microorganisms play in agricultural has been documented since at least the 1800s In the last 200 years, we’ve made little progress in our understanding and practical application of soil life to farming systems That is until about ten years ago…