Introduction to turf extension work in universities of the United States and its reference value to the development of turfgrass science in China

In the United States, most faculty members who specialize in turfgrass science are required to fulfill a certain amount of extension work. Usually, the required percentage of such work is assigned at the appointment of employment. Meanwhile, students are encouraged to participate in outreach activities. This is quite different compared to the Chinese higher educational system where turfgrass science is a developing and relatively new discipline. Most US turfgrass science courses comprise a combination of practical skills and knowledge components, as both problems and solutions can be identified and tested in real-world scenarios. Therefore, extension is extremely important for the development of both the industry and science of turfgrass. In this article, turf extension work in the United States is explored with the intent of informing turf discipline development, particularly turf faculty recruitment and cultivation, for the Chinese higher educational system.