Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is pleased to announce the following Commercial Horticulture Programs for February, 2014. These programs are being offered by Aparna Gazula, Commercial Horticulture Agent, at the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office (2800 NE 39 Avenue, Gainesville).

Becoming a Hobby Beekeeper Short Course – February 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with Barton Wilder, Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent)

Explore the world of honey bees and steps to becoming a beekeeper at the “Becoming a Hobby Beekeeper Short Course.” This course will allow the participants to receive a complete perspective of the process and expense involved with keeping honey bees as a hobby or alternative farm enterprise. It should allow the participant to decide if this is something they want to do. For others, it offers an excellent opportunity to learn about this useful, often misunderstood insect so important to the food supply. Topics include: bee equipment and how to set up a hive, packaged bees & queens and sources for help, installing bees and how to get them off to a good start, honeybee pests, the Africanized honeybee, honey collection and extraction techniques.

The registration fee is $15.00 and includes program materials, refreshments, and lunch for the day.

Growing Shiitake & Oyster Mushrooms – February 20, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (with Wendy Wilber, Environmental Horticulture Agent)

This workshop will teach how to grow mushrooms. Shiitake mushrooms are grown on hardwood logs and oyster mushrooms can be grown on straw.  Oyster mushroom production kits will be available for $8.00 per kit (limit 1 per household for first 50 registrants). The kit includes mushroom spawn, a grow bag, straw, lime, and other resource materials.

Grants & Cost-Share Funding Available for Growers – February 24, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (with Cindy Sanders, Director/Livestock Agent)

This program offers information about different grants and cost-share funding available through federal and state agencies. The class is free of charge.

Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance – February 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (with Barton Wilder, Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent)

This class includes six hours of the required training for LCLM license applicants.  Participants needing recertification can attend the first four hours of class, but are encouraged to take the Advanced Landscape Training Workshop instead. The LCLM license exam will be given the same day as the class.  Participants must have all license application paperwork completed to sit for the exam.

Continuing Education Units will be offered in the following categories: 3 General Standards/Core, 3 Ornamental & Turf, 3 Private Applicator Ag, 3 Limited Lawn & Ornamental, 3 Limited Landscape Maintenance, 3 Commercial Lawn & Ornamental.

The registration fee is $30.00 and includes program materials, refreshments, and lunch for the day.

Pre-register at least 3 days prior to classes by calling 352-337-6209 (voicemail).

For more information about these programs, call 352-955-2402. Visit the Extension Office calendar for additional programs offered by the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County.

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.