Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Alachua County Cooperative Extension Office is pleased to announce the following Commercial Horticulture Programs for March, 2013. These programs are being offered by Aparna Gazula, Commercial Horticulture Agent, at the Extension Office (2800 NE 39 Avenue, Gainesville).

Growing Blueberries – March 21, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This class is designed to provide information to individuals interested in beginning or improving their blueberry production. This class has something to offer if you are growing blueberries on a small to medium scale or receiving income from your property.

Pre-register by calling 352-337-6209 (voicemail) no later than March 20.

Green Industries Best Management Practices – March 28, 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, applicators 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.

See attached brochure for more information.

Pre-register by calling 352-337-6209 (voicemail) at least three working days prior to program.

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.