Media Release

January Commercial Horticulture Programs

Tuesday, January 4, 2011 11:15 AM

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Alachua County Extension Office is pleased to announce the following Commercial Horticulture Programs, for January 2011. These programs are offered by Aparna Gazula, Commercial Horticulture Agent. All of these programs are held at the Extension Office (2800 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville).

 Green Industries Best Management Practices Workshop - January 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 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.

Cost $25.00 (includes materials and lunch). Please pre-register by January 18th. A complete brochure with registration form can be found at: http://alachua.ifas.ufl.edu/calendar.shtml

Integrated Pest Management Update - January 25, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This statewide video conference is designed to provide training in Pest Management Updates for anyone working in the lawn, landscape, pest control, or municipal grounds areas.  CEU’s will be awarded. 

Cost to attend this class is $5.00. Pre-register by January 21st.  A complete brochure with registration form can be found at: http://alachua.ifas.ufl.edu/calendar.shtml .

Private Applicator Pesticide License Workshop - January 26,  from 9 a.m. to  1 p.m.
This workshop is designed to provide training in practices related to Private Applicator Pest Control License for anyone working in the agricultural industry. Training agenda includes: Pests and their control, Regulations and Labeling, Equipment Calibration and Pesticide Arithmetic.

Earn CEUs for pesticide license holders. (2) CORE & (2) Private Applicator Ag.

Registration fee is $10.00 per person.  Please pre-register by January 21st.  A complete brochure with registration form can be found at: http://alachua.ifas.ufl.edu/calendar.shtml .

For more information, contact Aparna Gazula, Commercial Horticulture Agent, 352-955-2402.

All Extension Programs and Services are open to all without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin or handicap.  For persons requiring special accommodations, please contact the Extension office at (352) 955-2402 (voice) or TDD/TYY (352) 955-2406 or at the Alachua County Extension Service, 2800 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville, FL  32609.  Please contact the Extension Office at least five working days prior to the program so that proper consideration may be given to the request.

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Contact

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in order to participate in a County program, service or public meeting, please contact the Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office at 352-374-5275 at least 2 business days prior to the event. TTY users please call 711 (Florida Relay Service).

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