Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Alachua County Cooperative Extension Office is pleased to announce the following Agriculture & Natural Resources Programs for June, 2012. These programs are offered by Barton Wilder, Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent.  Programs are held at the Alachua County Cooperative Extension Office (2800 NE 39 Avenue, Gainesville).

Worker Protection Standard: Train the Trainer Workshop – June 12, 8:30 a.m. to noon

Federal & State law requires that all agricultural workers be trained in the Worker Protection Standard by their fifth day on the job. 

Attendees will receive: training in all major aspects of Worker Protection Standards, WPS Train the Trainer materials, handouts of educational materials, and a Department of Agriculture Inspector will be present to answer questions on WPS enforcement & compliance.

Registration fee to attend this class is $5.00. 3 Private Applicator and Ag Row Crop CEUs will be available. 

Private Applicator Pesticide School – June 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Applicants who are interested in obtaining the Private Applicator Pesticide License are encouraged to attend.  This license is valid only for any individual who will purchase, use, or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides on property owned or leased by the licensee or the licensee’s employer for the purpose of producing agricultural commodities. 

Topics include: Private Applicator License & Regulations, Equipment Calibration & Pesticide Arithmetic, Pesticide Safety and Principles of Pest Control.

The full day registration fee is $40.00 (includes books & lunch), $10.00 (lunch & no books) and half day registration $5.00 (no books & no lunch). 3 Core & 3 Private Applicator CEUs will be offered for applicators that already have their licenses. 

Living on a Few Acres (12 part series) – Wildlife Habitat – June 21, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This session will discuss the steps needed to create a wildlife friendly landscape. In addition, this session will cover how to attract desirable bird species such as bluebirds, tufted titmice, kestrels, and owls.

This is a new program for 2012, and will be held on the third Thursday of each month. 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.

Cost to attend is $10.00 for individuals and $15.00 for couples for entire series (notebook & materials provided).

North Florida Beef & Forage Group Pasture Workshop – June 27, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Topics include: herbicide demonstration, pasture weed identification, herbicide pricing and managing pasture for livestock and wildlife.

Registration fee to attend this class is $5.00. This workshop will be held at the Baker County Extension Office (1025 W Macclenny Avenue, Macclenny). To register, please call the Baker County Extension Office at 904-259-3520. 

Please register at least three working days prior to these programs by calling 352-337-6209 (voicemail).

For more information about these programs contact Barton Wilder, Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent at 352-955-2402. Visit the Extension Calendar for additional programs offered by the Extension Office.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions, or affiliations.  IFAS is a cooperative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Cooperative Extension Service, the University of Florida, the Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners. 

Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact the Extension Office at least 10 working days prior to the event so that special consideration can be given to the request.