Dr. Yelverton has developed the highest profile weed science program for turfgrass in the Southeast.  His extension program is a complete package encompassing agent training, development of publications, teaching workshops and seminars, pesticide certification training, maintenance of website information, site visits, processing samples from the PDI Clinic, to being a co-author on the most comprehensive weed management book available for turfgrass.  His overall expertise has been enhanced by his extensive field testing program that evaluates products for management of all types of weeds in the 11 different types of turfgrass we utilize in North Carolina.  The demands on his time are inordinate in that weeds are generally considered to be the number one pest problem in turfgrass.  He literally covers the 100 counties with his extension and demonstration program.  This is possible only because of Fred’s hard work to build a large program with numerous students and technicians that allow his effort to be spread across the state and encompass the diversity of the turfgrass industry including golf courses, home lawns, athletic fields, roadside turf and wildflower management, and sod farms.  In addition, he also has extension efforts in forage and pastures as well as teaching one class for his Dept. and currently organizing a second course.   In cooperation with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and colleagues from the University of Georgia and Clemson University, Yelverton initiated trials with plant growth regulators to investigate the possibility of decreasing the mowing requirement for turfgrasses on roadsides.  Results indicated mowing frequency could be significantly curtailed, and in some cases completely eliminated. Yelverton’s results indicated that NCDOT could save North Carolina taxpayers in excess of $6 million annually in North Carolina alone.  As a result of his extension activities, most southern states now follow his recommendations for PGRs for management of roadside turf. In addition, field faculty routinely use this information to assist industrial turfgrass managers in NC.

Dr. Yelverton’s programs and educational materials associated with management of annual bluegrass has earned national and international recognition.  Most recently, Dr. Yelverton led the effort to upgrade and update the Turffiles website that is used extensively by field faculty and turfgrass industry personnel. Fred contributes more to the Turffiles website than any other faculty member.  He also maintains an extensive photo gallery and Powerpoint presentations for field faulty use.  Equally important is that Dr. Yelverton has been a leader in the development of the Center for Turfgrass Environmental Research and Education at NCSU.  He was a critical player in its development, a spokesperson for its eventual funding from the NC Legislature, and now serves as Co-Director to ensure its smooth operation and that it serves the Extension community and the turfgrass industry effectively.  Fred’s program is so highly thought of that he is invited to teach workshops and conduct training in other states more frequently than any other turfgrass or Crop Science extension faculty member.  This is a true reflection of the information he offers and the professional manner in which he presents it.   This superior effort has all been accomplished in conjunction with a rapid growth of the turfgrass industry in this state and increasing demand placed upon field faculty who rely heavily upon his expertise and willingness to assist with problems and make presentations.  An external peer review of the NC State turfgrass program was coordinated by CALS administration in 2001. The review team’s final report stated that Fred’s extension weed science “was one of the largest and finest programs in the country”.   The turf industry and field faculty have benefited greatly from Dr. Yelverton’s work ethic, his commitment to his job, and outstanding interpersonal skills.  As a result, the N C Cooperative Extension Service has benefited by the visibility and programming he has delivered.  Additionally, Fred serves on 14 departmental, state, or national committees, and is a member of 13 professional and honor societies.