County Extension Office Programs in March
Press release from Alachua County
The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is pleased to announce the following Commercial Horticulture programs for March 2020. These programs are being offered by Dr. Tatiana Sanchez, Commercial Horticulture Agent, at the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office (2800 N.E. 39th Avenue, Gainesville).
Private Applicator & Agricultural Row Crops – A Review – March 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (with Dr. Kevin Korus, Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent)
This workshop is designed to provide training for the private applicator agricultural pest control license. The private applicator license is required for anyone that applies restricted use pesticides to their own farm, greenhouse, or nursery. The class is from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and exams will be from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Up to four Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered for applicators that already have their licenses. CEUs include: General Standard Core, Ag Row Crop, Private Applicator, and Ag Tree Crop. If taking the exam for Private Applicator or Ag Row Pest Control immediately after the training, please apply in advance at the Florida Department of Agriculture website and bring the voucher number to the workshop.
The registration fee is $25.00. Participants must register online (those needing assistance with registering can call the Extension Office at 352-955-2402) by March 11. After March 11, the registration fee is $35.00. There are no refunds for the registration fee.
Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance – March 19, from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance Workshop trains commercial landscape maintenance personnel to make correct pesticide applications to ornamentals and plant beds only. Attendance to the full day is required before sitting for the license’s exam. If you want to take the exam on the computer (recommended) at the office, register at the Florida Department of Agriculture website. Click on pest control and then limited licenses. Participants can pay online and be given a voucher number. Please bring the printed receipt and voucher number the day of the class. Books are not provided but can be pre-ordered by visiting the UF/IFAS Extension bookstore. It is recommended that attendees study prior to attending the workshop, as this is a review. Books required are: SM 1, SP 499, and SM 82. Class will begin at 8:15 a.m.
Up to four CEU’s will be available in the following categories: General Standard/Core (Chapters 482 and 487), Ornamental & Turf, Limited Lawn & Ornamental, Limited Landscape Maintenance, Limited Urban Fertilizer, Commercial Lawn, & Ornamental.
Individuals seeking recertification may attend the class for 4 hours if registered on Eventbrite. The registration fee is $30.00 (includes lunch). Participants must register online (those needing assistance with registering can call the Extension Office at 352-955-2402) by March 13. After March 13, the registration fee is $40.00. There are no refunds for the registration fee.
Right-of-Way Pesticide Exam Preparation Course – March 24, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Some of the topics in this class will include a discussion of herbicide modes of action, herbicide additives, herbicide chemistries and weed biology, application types (broadcast, banded, etc.), spray equipment (nozzle types), pesticide movement through drift, leaching, runoff, worker safety, review of area calculations and weight/volume conversions, and how to read an herbicide label.
The following CEU’s will be available: 2 Core and 2 Right-of-Way.
The registration fee is $25.00. Participants must register online (those needing assistance with registering can call the Extension Office at 352-955-2402) by March 20. After March 20, the registration fee is $35.00. There are no refunds for the registration fee.
For more information about these programs, contact Dr. Tatiana Sanchez, Commercial Horticulture Agent, at 352-955-2402, or Dr. Kevin Korus, Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent, at 352-955-2402. Visit the Extension Office website for additional programs offered by the Extension Office.