The Alachua County Extension Office is pleased to announce the following Commercial Horticulture Programs, for November 2010. These programs are offered by Aparna Gazula, Commercial Horticulture Agent. All of these programs are held at the Extension Office (2800 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville).

Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance Workshop  November 3, from 9 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
License Information: The Limited Commercial Maintenance License is available only for Landscape Maintenance Contractors applying pesticides to their customers' properties. The Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance License Exam requires a passing grade of 75%. This certification must be renewed annually either by testing or with 4 CEUs. Each applicator must be licensed and may not supervise other applicators.

Registration fee is $50.00 per person for full day certification program/$20.00 per person for half day re-certification program. Registration deadline is October 27, 2010. Program flyer and registration form can be downloaded from:http://alachua.ifas.ufl.edu/calendar.shtml

Worker Protection Standard – Train the Trainer Workshop November 9, 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 November 3 by calling 352-337-6209. For more information call 352-955-2402. A complete brochure with registration form can be found at: http://alachua.ifas.ufl.edu/calendar.shtml.

Green Industries Best Management Practices Workshop November 17, from 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 calling 352-337-6209.

For more information about these and other programs, contact Aparna Gazula, Commercial Horticulture Agent, 352-955-2402.