2023 Weed Conference

General Information Everything You Need to Know About Weeds at this One Meeting!

The 73rd annual Washington State Weed Conference provides information on all aspects of weed control and management. It's one of the largest meetings of its type and covers crops of all kinds, turf and ornamental, and vegetation management.

  • Over 40 Topics & Speakers

  • 15 Recertification Credits applied for from WA, OR, and ID

  • 3 Concurrent Sessions

  • Luncheon & Social Hour

  • Trade Show

  • Annual Weed Quiz with Cash Prizes

Agenda 3 Day Program

2023 Agenda

General Session

9:00 to 9:10 AM

Welcome to the Weed Conference

9:10 to 10:15 AM

Pesticide Applications with Drones

Kurt Beckley, Altitude Agri Services, LLC. 

10:15 to 10:30 AM

Coffee Break

Sponsored by Ag Enterprise Supply

10:30 to 11:45 AM

Conservation Dog Teams for Invasive Species Detection

Heath Smith, Rogue Detection Teams

11:45 to 1:00 PM

Lunch on your own

1:00 to 2:00 PM

Why Worry About Diseases in Vegetation Management: Black Leg of Brassicas as a Case Study

Lindsey de Toit, Washington State University 

2:00 to 2:20 PM

Awards

2:20 to 3:10 PM

Weed ID Quiz - Required for all afternoon credits

3:10 to 3:40 PM

Afternoon Break

Sponsored by Alligare

3:40 to 4:20 PM

Wildfires and Why We Control the Annual Grasses with Herbicide Rejuvra

Justin Hossfed, Envu Environmental Science 

4:20 to 5:00 PM

Unlocking the Co-Benefits of Healthy Rangeland

Dr. Harry Quicke, Envu Environmental Science

Crop Session

8:00 to 8:40 AM

TBD

Joe Yenish

8;45 to 9:25 AM

Establishing Healthy Native Vegetation to Control Weeds

Kathy Hutton, Plants of the Wild

9:25 to 9:45 AM

Coffee Break

Sponsored by Nufarm

9:50 to 10:25 AM

Weed Management in Conventional and Organic Vegetables

Dr. Alan Schreiber, Agriculture Development Group, Inc. 

10:30 to 11:10 AM

Identifying Invasives in Crop Production

Susan Bird, Yakima County Noxious Weed Board

11:15 to 11:55 AM

Kochia, Herbicide Resistance in Weed Research Update

Dr. Rui Liu, Washington State University 

Noon to 1:30 PM

Lunch

Aquatics Session

1:35 to 2:15 PM

Aquatic Noxious Weeds in Washington State

Ben Peterson, King County Noxious Weed Program 

2:20 to 3:00 PM

Quality Water - Is There Any Left?

Travis Fuller, SePRO

3:00 to 3:20 PM

Afternoon Break

Sponsored by Corteva Agriscience 

3:25 to 4:05 PM

Review of Globally Harmonized System: Labeling and Safety Data Sheets

Timothy King 

4:10 to 4:50 PM

King County Knotweed: How it Started, How it's Going

Sayward Gilse, King County Noxious Weed Control Program 

4:50 PM

Social Hour Sponsored by Wilbur-Ellis Company

Vegetation Management Session

8:00 to 8:40 AM

Grant Writing

8:45 to 9:25 AM

Tracey Kelly

9:25 to 9:45 AM

Coffee Break

Sponsored by Nufarm

9:50 to 10:25 AM

Improving Efficiency in Our Pesticide Application

Don Frantz, Wilbur-Ellis Company 

10:30 to 11:10 AM

Controlling Resistant Kochia with Pre and Post Applied Herbicides

Jon Storr, Nufarm

11:15 to 11:55 AM

Sustainability: The Role of Vegetation Managers in Addressing Environmental Issues

Greg Cox, Nutrien Solutions 

Noon to 1:30 PM

Luncheon

1:35 to 2:15 PM

Herbicide Options for Bare Ground Applications and Non-Residual Weed Control

Will Hatler, Corteva Agriscience 

2:20 to 3:00 PM

Weed Control in DNR Natural Areas - Examining the Challenges, Sucesses, and Missed Opportunities

Ethan Coggins, Washington Department of Natural Resources

3:00 to 3:20 PM

Afternoon Break

Sponsored by Corteva Agriscience 

3:25 to 4:05 PM

The Drone Experience

Susan Bird, Yakima County Noxious Weed Board 

4:10 to 4:50 PM

Designing Mixes for Resistance Management in Bare-Ground Programs

Jeff Johnson, Alligare

4:50 PM

Social Hour

Sponsored by Wilbur-Ellis Company

Turf & Ornamental Session

8:00 to 8:40 AM

Thinking Differently about Herbicide Use in Landscapes

Danny Vandecoevering, Envu 

8:45 to 9:25 AM

PBI Gordon

9:25 to 9:45 AM

Coffee Break

Sponsored by Nufarm

9:50 to 10:25 AM

Helena Agri

10:30 to 11:10 AM

BASF

11:15 to 11:55 AM

How Adjuvants Aid in the Landscape

Don Frantz, Wilbur-Ellis Company 

Noon to 1:30 PM

Luncheon

1:35 to 2:15 PM

Nufarm

2:20 to 3:00 PM

Corteva

3:00 to 3:20 PM

Afternoon Coffee Break

Sponsored by Corteva Agriscience 

3:25 to 4:05 PM

Pests of Ornamental Landscapes: What's on the Horizon and What is Already Here

Tim Kohlhauff, Washington State University 

4:10 to 4:50 PM

PBI Gordon

4:50 PM

Social Hour

Sponsored by Wilbur-Ellis Company

General Session

8:00 to 8:10 AM

Officer and Board Election Results

8:10 to 9:00 AM

Vegetation Management to Control Weeds + Help Bees

Andony Melathopoulos, Oregon State University 

9:00 to 9:50 AM

Weeds of Chelan County

Julie Sanderson, Chelan County Noxious Weed Control Board 

9:50 to 10:20 AM

​Morning Break

10:20 to 11:10 AM

Federal Endangered Species Act Impacts on Vegetation Management

Karen Budd-Falen, Budd-Falen Law Offices 

11:10 AM

​Awarding of Door Prizes - Adjournment of Conference

Featured Speakers Sessions Led By Industry Experts

Karen Budd-Falen

Karen Budd-Falen

Karen Budd-Falen has returned to the Budd-Falen Law Offices LLC after her two-year appointment at the Department of the Interior, as the Deputy Solicitor for Wildlife and Parks. As Deputy Solicitor, Karen was the lead attorney in revising the regulations implementing the Endangered Species Act (ESA), appealing wetland maps on National Wildlife Refuge System, and was the Interior's representative in revising the regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Karen's first stint in Washington D.C. was for three years in the Reagan Administration, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Karen was featured in Newsweek Magazine's "Who's Who: 20 for the Future" for her work on property rights issues and was named one of Wyoming's Outstanding Ag Citizens. She has received the "Always There Helping" award from the New Mexico Stock Growers Association, the "Bud's Contract" award from the New Mexico Public Lands Council, and the Individual of the Year award from the Arizona/New Mexico Counties for Stable Economic Growth.

Karen has testified over a dozen times before committees and subcommittees of the U.S. House of Representatives on issues related to attorneys' fees payments, the ESA, NEPA, and livestock grazing.

Karen is a volunteer for Future Farmers of America ("FFA"). She received her undergraduate degrees and her law degree from the University of Wyoming.

Rogue Detection Teams

Rogue Detection Teams

Rogue Detection Teams has extensive experience in noninvasive surveys with the aid of rescued dogs turned conservation super heroes. They offer knowledgeable field teams and hands-on instruction for researchers, aspiring dog handlers, and citizen scientists. Rogue Detection Team’s vision centers around collaboration and community involvement to bring skilled research methods to the field to tackle the most pressing conservation concerns of today. A couple of the dogs will be at the Washington State Weed Conference with a demonstration of their skills.

Visit the Rogue Detection Teams Website

More Speakers Coming Soon!

Sponsors & Exhibitors Thanks to Our Corporate Supporters!

Location & Hotel Where to Stay

Wenatchee Center

Wenatchee Convention Center

121 N Wenatchee Ave
Wenatchee, WA 98801

These hotels are convenient to the Convention Center. Please specify you are with the Washington State Weed Association.

The Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel

201 N. Wenatchee Ave.

$107 / night single

Red Lion Wenatchee

1225 N. Wenatchee Ave.

$100 / night single
Special Rate Code: WSWA2022

Hilton Garden Inn

25 N. Worthen Street

$107 / night single or double

Best Western PLUS

1017 N. Wenatchee Ave. 

$92/ night 

(509) 662-1700

Get Answers Frequently Asked Questions

How many pesticide recertification credits will there be?

We won’t know the exact amount until a few weeks before the conference, but typically it is 15 for the entire conference.

Where is the convention located?

The annual Weed Conference will be held at the Wenatchee Convention Center: 121 N. Wenatchee Ave.

What credits are offered for the virtual option?

The same as the in-person convention, but for the virtual option you will only see Wednesday General Session, Thursday Vegetation Management Session and Friday General Session. There is NOT an option to view Turf & Ornamental, Aquatics or Crops virtually. Those are available in-person only.

What hotel should we stay at?

We have group rates available at 3 hotels, The Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel, The Hilton Garden Inn, and Red Lion. The Coast is connected to the Wenatchee Convention Center via a walkway. Scroll up on this page to learn more.

Is there a different rate if I don’t want to stay all 3 days?

No, there is only one rate regardless of how many dates you attend. If you can only attend one day, Thursday typically has the most credits.

What state pesticide recertification credits are available?

For both in-person and virtual, we’ll have pesticide recertification credits for Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

Do I have to attend to win the raffle?

No, you can buy raffle tickets online or from a board member and we will contact you if you won. The raffle is drawn on Friday at the end of the convention.

Do I have to attend to enter the photo contest?

Yes, only those in attendance can enter the photo contest and be eligible for the cash prizes.

Get Registered Online & In-Person Registration

Registration is Now Open!

Registration includes all meetings and workshops, Thursday luncheon, social hour, and abstract of material presented by various speakers.

Low-Cost Registration Fee

Before or on October 26: $200 / person
After October 26: $250 / person
Online Only Option: $150 / person

Mail / Fax

If you would rather register by mail or fax, please download our registration form PDF and mail payment to:

Washington Weed Conference
P.O. Box 5021
Benton City, WA 99320

or fax the form to (509) 288-4771

1Contact Information
2In-Person Registration
3Online Registration
4Raffle Tickets
5Checkout

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Please Note: Refunds are issued upon request up to one week prior to the first day of the conference. Requests after that date are non-refundable.