The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is pleased to announce the following Commercial Horticulture programs for November 2026. These programs are being offered by Commercial Horticulture Agent Tatiana Sanchez-Jones.
Pesticide Training for Private Applicator and Agricultural Row Crops – A Review, Nov. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the UF/IFAS Ag Auditorium (22716 W. Newberry Road, Newberry)
This workshop is designed to provide training for private applicators and for agricultural row-crop pest control licenses. The private applicator license is required for anyone who applies restricted-use pesticides to their own farm, greenhouse or nursery.
This class helps you review the materials needed for the pesticide license exam. To take the exam, participants must create an account and apply online through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) licensing portal. After paying online, they will be given a voucher number to schedule their test.
Please note: Pesticide exams are no longer offered at extension offices. Exams are now administered primarily by Everblue, either remotely or at in-person locations.
Find an in-person testing site.
Attendees are encouraged to study before the exam, as the workshop will be a review only. Required books for the Private Applicator are SM 1 (Core) and SM 53. For the Agricultural Row Crops license, the required books are SM 1 (Core) and SM 5. These study manuals are not provided but can be pre-ordered online through the IFAS Bookstore.
Up to four Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered for applicants who already have their licenses. CEUs available include General Standard Core (482 & 487), Ag Row Crop, and Private Applicator.
The registration fee of $25 (plus a $3.52 Eventbrite fee) includes handout materials and light refreshments.
Participants must register online by Nov.2. The registration fee after Nov.2 or for those paying at the door will be $35 (plus a $4.19 Eventbrite fee). This class is limited to 10. There will be no refunds for the registration fee.
Beekeeping Series – Beginner Beekeeping – Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the UF/IFAS Honeybee Research and Extension Laboratory (1881 Natural Area Drive, Gainesville).
This nationally award-winning workshop series has been taken by over 500 participants and is designed for beginner and intermediate beekeepers. The Beginner Beekeeping class is the first of a four-part series of workshops that will help beekeepers manage the hive's needs throughout the year. In this class, the focus will be on honeybee biology, equipment, and hive inspection.
After the smoker demonstration, participants’ clothes may have absorbed the smell, so plan accordingly and dress in protective clothing (closed-toe shoes, long sleeves or a beekeeping suit).
The registration fee of $30 (plus a $3.85 Eventbrite fee) will include materials and lunch. Participants must register online by Nov. 4. A late fee of $10 (plus a $4.52 Eventbrite fee) will be applied after Nov. 4, or if paying at the door. This class is limited to 30 participants. There will be no refund for the registration fee.
Those who would like to be added to the beekeeping ListServ for information about upcoming classes should email alachua@ifas.ufl.edu, subject: “Please add to bee ListServ.”
Please watch the three videos below ahead of the upcoming class:
Master Irrigator Drip Irrigation Workshop – Nov.13, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Levy County Extension Office (625 N. Hathaway Ave., Bronson).
The Master Irrigator Drip Irrigation Workshop will focus on irrigation management for producers using drip irrigation systems, with a particular focus on watermelon growers in the Suwannee Valley. The workshop is also open to vegetable and other specialty crop producers interested in learning more about drip irrigation systems and management.
Topics will include drip irrigation system design and maintenance, soil moisture sensors, irrigation scheduling, fertigation, and automation. The workshop will emphasize practical approaches to improving water and nutrient use efficiency.
The workshop is free, but participants must register online.
For more information about these programs, contact Tatiana Sanchez-Jones at (352) 955-2402. For additional information about the irrigation workshop, contact UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension Agent for Water Resources Jay Capasso at jcapasso@ufl.edu. Visit the extension office website for additional programs offered.
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.
