July Commercial Horticulture Programs

​​The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is pleased to announce the following Commercial Horticulture programs for July 2024. These programs are being offered by Dr. Tatiana Sanchez-Jones, a commercial horticulture agent.

Summer Blueberry Meeting – July 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Alachua County Ag Auditorium (22716 W. Newberry Road, Newberry)

The Florida Blueberry Growers Association and UF/IFAS are holding a series of blueberry grower meetings this summer. These meetings allow growers to engage with UF blueberry researchers and other growers on current production topics.

There is no registration fee to attend the meeting, but participants must register online by July 18. New Florida Blueberry Association website users must provide their email to complete the registration process.

Green Industries Best Management Practices (GIBMP) – July 25, 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 GIBMP and receive a certificate of completion from UF/IFAS and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. This class begins at 8:30 a.m.

Up to four continuing education units will be available in the following categories: General Standard Core, Private Applicator, Ornamental & Turf, Limited Urban Fertilizer, Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance, Limited Lawn and Ornamental and Commercial Lawn and Ornamental.

The registration fee of $30.00 (plus $3.85 Eventbrite fee) will include lunch and class materials. Participants must register online by July 22. The registration fee after July 22 or if paying at the door will be $40.00 (plus a $4.52 Eventbrite fee). This class is limited to 30. There will be no refunds for the registration fee.

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

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 applicators who already have their licenses. CEUs available 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 July 27. The registration fee after July 27 or if paying at the door will be $35.00 (plus a $4.19 Eventbrite fee). This class is limited to 10. There are 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 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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