Media Release

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

Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance Workshop – November 15, 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 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 and lunch for the day.

See attached brochure for more information.

Living on a Few Acres (12 part series) – November 16, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This is a new program for 2012, and will be held on the third Thursday of each month. This class is entitled “Fruit & Nut Production” (rescheduled from July).

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 $10.00 for individuals and $15.00 for couples for entire series (notebook and materials provided). Brochure attached.

See attached brochure for more information.

Drip Irrigation School – November 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Suwannee Valley Agricultural Extension Center (8202 County Rd. 417, Live Oak).

This workshop is perfect for small farms trying to achieve greater productivity and earliness in their vegetable production. A drip-irrigation system, when properly designed, maintained and operated, can be a productive asset for a small farm. This hands-on workshop will teach the participants how to set up, use, and maintain their own system.

See attached brochure for additional information.

Green Industries Best Management Practices – November 29, 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.

·                  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.

Pre-register by calling 352-337-6209 at least three working days prior to program.

For more information about these programs call 352-955-2402. Visit the Extension Office 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 accommodate should contact the Extension Office at least 10 working days prior to the event so that special consideration can be given to the request.