Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Alachua County Cooperative Extension Office is pleased to announce the following Commercial Horticulture Programs, for May, 2012. These programs are offered by Aparna Gazula, Commercial Horticulture Agent, at the Extension Office (2800 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville).

Basics of Turfgrass Pest Management: Cinch Bugs Edition - May 17, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Topics of this pest training class include: Florida pesticide licensing requirements, label language, and how to avoid common mistakes that may result in fines. Also included are the best practices for liquid and granular applications, identification of key pest insects and beneficial insects. This hands-on pest control workshop will also introduce grass identification and growth requirements, and teach attendees how to identify and manage the major turfgrass pests of the Southeast.

Continuing Education Units will be offered in the following categories:  2 General Standard/Core, 5 Limited Lawn & Ornamental, 5 Limited Landscape Maintenance, 5 Commercial Lawn & Ornamental.

Registration fee is $25.00 (includes lunch & class materials). This class is designed to give hands-on experience to lawn technicians.  

Living on a Few Acres (12 part series) - This is a new program for 2012, and will be held on the third Thursday of each month. The fifth class of the series is entitled “Beef & Small Ruminant Production,” to be held on May 17, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Topics include: breed selection, forage selection & management, and small ruminant health management.

This monthly program is designed as an introduction to basic production techniques on a wide variety of topics from pasture management and livestock production to growing vegetables and alternative enterprises. The program is designed to provide information to individuals interested in beginning or improving a small scale agricultural operation.

Cost to attend is $10.00 for individuals and $15.00 for couples for entire series (notebook & materials provided).

Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance Workshop – May 23, from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

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.  You must have all of your license application paperwork completed to sit for the exam.

Continuing Education Units will be offered in the following categories: 3 General Standard/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 (includes program materials, refreshments, & lunch for the day).

ID Card Holder Training – May 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

This training is only required for identification cardholders spraying under a licensed pest control operator.  Each new cardholder must receive 4 hours classroom training, 6 months after card issued. Each existing cardholder must receive at least 2 hours of continuing training by the renewal date of the card.

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. New Cardholders
9 to 10:40 a.m. Existing Cardholders

The registration fee is $5.00 (includes materials & refreshments).  

Green Industries Best Management Practices – May 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 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.

For pesticide license holders Continuing Education Units will be offered in the following categories: (2) CORE, (2) Ornamental & Turf, Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance.  

The registration fee is $25.00 (includes materials & lunch).  

Selling Processed Food, Eggs, Meat, and Milk Products at the Farmers Market: Rules and Regulations - May 31, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This workshop will discuss the Florida Cottage Foods Legislation, and the rules and regulations for selling eggs, meat, cured meat, milk and milk products at farmers markets.

Class is free of charge.  

Please register at least three working days prior to these programs by calling 352-337-6209 (voicemail).

For more information about these programs call 352-955-2402. Visit the Extension Calendar for additional programs offered by the Extension Office.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions, or affiliations.  IFAS is a cooperative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Cooperative Extension Service, the University of Florida, the Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners. 

Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact the Extension Office at least 10 working days prior to the event so that special consideration can be given to the request.