Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is pleased to announce the following Commercial Horticulture Programs for October, 2015. These programs are being offered by Aparna Gazula, Commercial Horticulture Agent, at the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office (2800 NE 39 Avenue, Gainesville) unless otherwise indicated.

Winter Hive Management – October 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the DPI Doyle Conner Building (1911 SW 34 Street, Gainesville) - This is the final course of four-part series with Barton Wilder, Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent.

This workshop will feature information on preparing beehives for the winter season. Attendees will be working hands-on with an active bee hive, protective clothing is required.

No registration fee. This program is limited to the first 50 registrants.

Green Industries Best Management Practices – October 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with Barton Wilder, Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent)

This workshop is designed to provide training in Best Management Practices (BMPs) 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.

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. 

Please pre-register at least 3 days prior to programs by calling 352-337-6209.

View/download the program brochure (PDF).

For more information about these programs, call 352-955-2402. Visit the Extension Office Calendar for additional programs offered by the Extension 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.