November Commercial Horticulture Programs

​The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is pleased to announce the following Commercial Horticulture programs for November 2024. These programs are being offered by Commercial Horticulture Agent Tatiana Sanchez-Jones.

Beginner Beekeeping – Nov. 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory (1881 Natural Areas Drive, Gainesville)

This class is designed for beginner and intermediate beekeepers and is the first of a series of workshops to help participants manage their hive’s needs throughout the year. In this class, the focus will be on honey bee biology, equipment, and hive inspection.

After the smoker demonstration, clothes may absorb the smell. Participants should plan accordingly and wear protective clothing (closed-toe shoes, long sleeves, or bring beekeeping suits if available).

The registration fee of $30.00 (plus $3.85 Eventbrite fee) includes materials and lunch. Participants must register online by Nov. 6. A late fee of $10.00 (plus a $4.52 Eventbrite fee) will be applied after the deadline or if paying at the door. This class is limited to 30 participants. There are no refunds for the registration fee. 

Those wanting to be added to the beekeeping ListServ for information about upcoming classes should email alachua@ifas.ufl.edu, subject: please add to bee ListServ.

Green Industries Best Management Practices (Class in Spanish) – Nov. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Alachua County Ag Auditorium (22716 W. Newberry Road, Newberry)

Florida law states that all commercial fertilizer applicators must have a certificate from FDACS. To get this certificate, each commercial applicator must be trained in the GI-BMPs and receive a certificate of completion for UF/IFAS and FDEP. CEUs will be available.

The registration fee is $30.00 (plus a $3.85 Eventbrite fee). It includes lunch and class materials. Participants must register online by Nov. 10. There are no refunds for the registration fee. CEUs are available.

Mejores Prácticas de Manejo de las Industrias Verdes (GI BMP En Español) – Noviembre 13, de 8:30 a.m. a 3:30 p.m., en el Auditorio sala C, (ubicado en 22716 W. Newberry Road., Newberry).

Excelente entrenamiento para trabajadores hispanos en las industrias verdes. Este entrenamiento y materiales serán ofrecidos en Español.

La ley de Florida establece que todos los aplicadores de fertilizantes comerciales deben tener un certificado del Departamento de Agricultura y Servicios al Consumidor de Florida (FDACS por sus siglas en Ingles). Para obtener este certificado, cada aplicador comercial debe estar capacitado en las Mejores Prácticas de Manejo de las Industrias Verdes y recibir un certificado de finalización de la UF/IFAS y el Departamento de Protección Ambiental.

Este entrenamiento ofrece 4 Unidades de Educación Continua (CEU) disponibles en las siguientes categorías:

  • General
  • Certificacion limitada de fertilizante urbano
  • Certificacion limitada de mantenimiento comercial de paisajes
  • Certificación limitada para césped y ornamentals
  • Certificacion comercial de ornamentales y Céspe
  • Aplicador privado


La cuota de preinscripción es de $30.00 (más la tarifa de Eventbrite de $3.85 - incluye almuerzo y materiales) hasta Noviembre 10. Los participantes deben registrarse en línea. No habrá devolución de la cuota de inscripción.

2024 Ag Irrigation Expo – Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the North Florida Research and Education Center (8202 County Road 417, Live Oak). 

The University of Florida and the University of Georgia, county extension agents throughout the region, industry reps, and the Suwannee River Partnership are working together to provide this opportunity. This meeting combines irrigation industry exhibits, field demonstrations, educational sessions focusing on ag irrigation, and a tradeshow with allied irrigation industries in our region. This expo will provide information about many irrigation systems, including overhead pivot and drip irrigation for agronomic crops, fruits, and vegetables.

Exhibitor setup will begin at 8 a.m., and registration and check-in will start at 9 a.m.

Registration is now open. Participants must register online.

For questions or information regarding sponsorship/exhibitor opportunities, call Bob Hochmuth at 386-288-6301, email bobhoch@ufl.edu, or call Jay Capasso at 207-400-7865 or jcapasso@ufl.edu.

Private Applicator/Row Crop Pesticide License Course – Nov. 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (with Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent Kevin Korus,), at the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office (22712 W. Newberry Road, Newberry) 

This workshop is designed to train the private applicator and the agricultural row crop pest control license. The private applicator license is required for anyone who applies restricted use pesticides to their farm, greenhouse, or nursery. The class is until 1 p.m. If anyone decides to take the test, the participants can stay after 1 p.m.

New license: After the class concludes, exams will be available to attendees who need a license. Let our office know if you need to test to reserve your spot. To test, please apply for a voucher number​ before the class.

Up to four Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered for applicants with licenses. CEUs include General Standard Core, Ag Row Crop, and Private Applicator.

The registration fee of $25.00 (plus $3.52 Eventbrite fee) includes handout materials and light refreshments. Participants must register online by Nov. 15. The registration fee after Nov. 15 or if paying at the door will be $35.00 (plus a $4.19 Eventbrite fee). This class is limited to 10. There will be no refunds for the registration fee.

For more information about these programs, contact Dr. Tatiana Sanchez-Jones, a Commercial Horticulture agent, UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County, at 352-955-2402 or tatiana.sanchez@ufl.edu. Visit the extension office website for additional programs offered by the extension office. 

An Equal Opportunity Institution. Extension Service, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Dr. Andra Johnson, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. Single copies of Extension publications (excluding 4-H and youth publications) are available free to Florida residents from county extension offices.

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