ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is pleased to announce the following Commercial Horticulture Programs for February, 2015. These programs are being offered by Aparna Gazula, Commercial Horticulture Agent, at the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office (2800 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville) unless otherwise indicated.
Green Industries Best Management Practices – February 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with Barton Wilder, Ag & Natural Resources Agent)
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.
Earn CEUs for pesticide license holders. For CEUs, get form signed before you leave. Continuing Education Units will be offered in the following categories: 2 Core and 2 Ornamental & Turf, Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance categories.
Cost $25.00 includes materials and lunch.
View/download the program brochure (PDF).
Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance – February 24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (with Barton Wilder, Ag & Natural Resources Agent)
This class includes six hours of the required training for LCLM license applicants. Participants needing recertification can attend the first four hours of class, but are encouraged to take the Advanced Landscape Training Workshop instead. The LCLM license exam will be given the same day as the class. You must have all of your license application paperwork completed to sit for the exam.
Continuing Education Units will be offered in the following categories: 3 General Standards/Core, 3 Ornamental & Turf, 3 Private Applicator Ag, 3 Limited Lawn & Ornamental, 3 Limited Landscape Maintenance, 3 Commercial Lawn & Ornamental.
The registration fee is $30.00 and includes program materials, refreshments, and lunch for the day.
View/download the program brochure (PDF).
Alachua County Growers Meeting – February 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Santa Fe College Perry Center (14180 NW 119th Terrace, Alachua), with Barton Wilder, Ag & Natural Resources Agent
The morning session will cover weed and disease management and sod based rotation for peanuts, corn, and soybeans. The afternoon session will cover insect, disease, and weed management for vegetable crops.
There is no registration fee and lunch will be provided.
6 CEUs for Private Applicator, Ag Row Crop Pest and Demonstration and Research will be provided.
View/download the meeting flyer (PDF).
Space is limited for the classes listed above. Pre-register at least 3 days prior to class by calling 352-337-6209 (voicemail).
Beekeeping Short Course – Session One: February 28, beginning at 9 a.m. (with Barton Wilder, Ag & Natural Resources Agent)
Session one of a two-part short course will be putting together a bee hive. Class will be held outdoors, and participants should dress appropriately.
Registration fee of $200.00 includes the cost of materials to build one 10-frame brood hive with a screened bottom board, feeder lid, and lunch for session one. Pre-registration with payment is required and is limited to the first 40 paid registered.
Click for online registration (with additional fee).
Session two will be held on April 18, beginning at 9 a.m. (please note: this date is tentative due to availability of the bees and wearing protective clothing is required for this session).
View/download the program brochure (PDF). The brochure includes registration form.
For more information about these programs, please call 352-955-2402. Visit the Extension Office calendar for additional programs offered by the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office.
An Equal Opportunity Institution. Extension Service, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Nick T. Place, Dean. Single copies of Extension publications (excluding 4-H and youth publications) are available free to Florida residents from county Extension offices. Information about alternate formats is available from IFAS Communications, University of Florida, PO Box 110810, Gainesville, FL 32611-0810.