Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Alachua County Extension Office is pleased to announce the following Commercial Horticulture Programs in July, 2010. All of these programs are held at the Alachua County Extension Office (2800 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville), and require pre-registration.

Green Industries Best Management Practices Workshop July 8, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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, you need 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.   Stay a step ahead of the new requirements.

* Earn CEUs for pesticide license holders. For CEUs, get form signed before you leave.

*(2) CORE, (2) Ornamental & Turf, Limited Commercial Landscape.

Cost $25.00 (includes materials and lunch). Please pre-register by July 6 by calling 352-337-6209.

Click here for a complete brochure of commercial horticulture programs and events (with registration form).

Worker Protection Standard – Train the Trainer Workshop July 13, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Under FAWSA and WPS, agriculture employers must ensure that agricultural workers and pesticide handlers employed in the state of Florida receive protection from agricultural pesticides and information concerning pesticides.  The Worker Protection Standard Train the Trainer (WPS TTT) Program promotes the development of a working population of knowledgeable WPS trainers of agricultural workers and pesticide handlers, in order to prevent and reduce pesticide exposure and related illness.

Cost to attend this class is $5.00. Pre-register by July 8 by calling 352-337-6209.

Click here for a complete brochure of commercial horticulture programs and events (with registration

form).

CORE (General Standards) July 22, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

This workshop is designed to provide training in practices related to CORE (General Standards) for anyone working with pesticides in the agricultural or landscaping industry.  CEU’s will be awarded.

Cost to attend this class is $5.00 (includes materials and snacks). Pre-register by July 19 by calling 352-337-6209.

Click here for a complete brochure of commercial horticulture programs and events (with registration form).

For more information about Extension Programs, click here, or call 352-955-2402.

All Extension Programs and Services are open to all without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin or handicap.  For persons requiring special accommodations, please contact the Extension office at (352) 955-2402 (voice) or TDD/TYY (352) 955-2406 or at the Alachua County Extension Service, 2800 NE 39^th Avenue, Gainesville, FL  32609.  Please contact the Extension Office at least five working days prior to the program so that proper consideration may be given to the request.