ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Alachua County Extension Office is pleased to announce the following Commercial Horticulture Programs, for January, 2012. These programs are offered by Aparna Gazula, Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Living on a Few Acres (12 part series) - This is a new program for 2012, and will be held on the third Thursday of each month. The first class is entitled “Small Farm Management Getting Started and Finding your Market,” January 19, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Extension Office (2800 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville).
This monthly program is designed as an introduction to basic production techniques on a wide variety of topics from pasture management and livestock production to growing vegetables and alternative enterprises. The program is designed to provide information to individuals interested in beginning or improving a small scale agricultural operation.
Costs $10 for individuals, and $15 for couples for each class (notebook and materials provided). Pre-register by January 16.
Small Scale Mushroom Production - January 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Suwannee Valley Agricultural Extension Center (8202 County Rd. 417, Live Oak).
This hands-on, one-day workshop will teach participants how to select, grow, harvest, and market mushrooms appropriate for Florida.
Costs $105 (first person), $65 (second person) before January 13, or $125 (first person), $75 (second person) after January 13. Pre-register by January 20.
Click to view the program brochure.
For more information about this program, contact Sarah White at 386-362-1725 ext. 102 or sewhite@ufl.edu.
Green Industries Best Management Practices - January 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Extension Office (2800 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville).
This workshop is designed to provide training in Best Management Practices for anyone working in the lawn, landscape, pest control, or municipal grounds areas. This is a required training class for all commercial and institutional fertilizer applicators in Alachua County according to the Alachua County Fertilizer Standards and Management Practices Code.
A “Commercial Fertilizer Applicator” means any person who applies fertilizer on turf and/or landscape plants in Alachua County in exchange for money, goods, services or other valuable consideration.
An “Institutional Fertilizer Applicator” means any person, other than a non-commercial or commercial applicator (unless such definitions also apply under the circumstances), that applies fertilizer for the purpose of maintaining turf and/or landscape plants. Institutional applicators shall include, but shall not be limited to, owners and managers of public lands, schools, parks, religious institutions, utilities, industrial or business sites and any residential properties maintained in condominium and/or common ownership.
Best Management Practices are focused on reducing non-point source pollution resulting from fertilization or pesticide application. In some areas, you need to be certified in the BMPs to be able to bid on jobs or have commercial customers. It will be mandatory throughout the state in the near future. Stay a step ahead of the new requirements.
* Earn CEUs for pesticide license holders. For CEUs, get form signed before you leave.
*(2) CORE, (2) Ornamental & Turf, Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance categories.
Cost $25.00 (includes materials and lunch). Pre-register by January 30
For more information or to register for any of these programs, visit http://alachua.ifas.ufl.edu/calendar.shtml or call 352-337-6209.
An Equal Opportunity Institution. Extension Service, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Director. For persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations, please call (352) 955-2402 five days prior to the event so that proper consideration may be given to the request.