Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is pleased to announce the following Commercial Horticulture Programs for August, 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).

Green Industries Best Management Practices – August 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with Barton Wilder, Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent)

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, one needs 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.

·         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.

Becoming a Beekeeper – Beginners Short Course – August 16, from 10 a.m. to noon (third course of a four part series)

Topic: Pest Management; Summer Hive Management

Explore the world of honey bees and steps to becoming a beekeeper at the “Becoming a Beekeeper - Beginners 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.

Additional upcoming short course: October 11 - Preparing for the Winter.

Classes are free. This will be hands‐on short courses where participants will be working with an active hive. Protective bee suit with gloves and a veil are required to attend the classes. Class is limited to first 50 registrants.

Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance – August 21, 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.  All license application paperwork must be 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.

There is no cost to attend these classes (unless otherwise indicated), space is limited; pre-register at least 3 days prior to class by calling 352-337-6209 (voice mail).

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.