Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Alachua County Extension Office is pleased to announce the following Commercial Horticulture Programs, for May 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).

May 19th, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Limited Lawn and Ornamental Pesticide License Training: Four hour training for limited lawn and ornamental license holders. CEUs will be provided in CORE, Limited Lawn and Ornamental, Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance categories.

Cost $5.00/person. Pre-register by May 18, by calling 352-337-6209.

May 19th, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Shiitake Mushroom Production: Learn the basics of shitake mushroom production. Shitake mushrooms are grown on oak logs. Attendees will learn how to prepare and inoculate the logs for shitake mushroom production. Information will also be presented on post harvest practices, and weed management around mushroom logs.

Class is free. Pre-register by May 18, by calling 352-337-6209.

May 26th, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Green Industries Best Management Practices: 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 May 24, by calling 352-337-6209.

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 39^th 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.