Media Release

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

Becoming a Beekeeper – Beginner Short Course – October 11, from 10 a.m. to noon (final course of four part series with Barton Wilder, Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent)

This workshop will feature information on preparing beehives for the winter season. This will be hands‐on short courses where participants will be working with an active hive. Protective clothing is required to attend the classes. Class is limited to first 50 registrants.

Container Nursery Irrigation Workshop – October 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

This workshop will present information on how much water should be applied to container plants, impact of irrigation pH, EC and biological components on plant growth, and cost share funding available through different agencies. CEU’s will be awarded.

Program will be held at the Marion County Extension Office (2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala).

Pre-register by calling 352-671-8400.

Green Industries Best Management Practices – October 29, 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.

Grants & Cost-Share Funding Available for Growers – October 30, 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.

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) unless otherwise indicated.

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.​