Commercial Horticulture

Click the button to view our classes and scroll through to find the class you need.

Please check back here, or follow us on Facebook (@commhortbroward) for updates and notices of online classes.

Contact Donna.Castro@ufl.edu  and you will be added to our newsletter and receive our most recent updates.

In urban Broward County, horticulture dominates commercial agricultural production. Nursery production, landscape installation, landscape maintenance, and arboriculture account for more than $200 million in annual sales. Hundreds of firms employ thousands of individuals, helping contribute to a strong Broward economy and a beautiful environment.

The commercial horticulture program provides educational classes, workshops, on-site testing, and diagnostic services to help these industries be environmentally friendly, successfully managed, and on the cutting edge of new technologies and issues.  The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research-based knowledge informs our curriculum and recommendations.

UF/IFAS Commercial Horticulture has a Facebook page!  Please take a moment to check it out, follow and like us:

@commhortbroward

Our Programs will be promoted there going forward, so if you are a FB user, you can access them there as well.

We look forward to helping your business become better and more environmentally sustainable.

• Mission Statement

  To assist the nursery, landscape and pest control industries as well as property managers and stakeholders in making cost-effective and environmentally responsible decisions regarding management of natural resources related to their production operations and environmental landscape management services.

• Tree Trimmer Licensing Ordinance Training and Testing

  We are now offering only IN PERSON classes with a limit of 25 attendees at this time.  These classes will be listed on Eventbrite.  Please go to the Eventbrite link to sign up.

  Please check back with us here, or follow us on Facebook (@commhortbroward) for updates and notices of classes. 

  Please email Giuseppe Di Giacinto with any questions pertaining to the Tree Trimmer Certification: ggiacinto@ufl.edu.

  Schedule updates will be provided on this website and via our commercial horticulture e-newsletter.  To sign up for the e-newsletter, please contact Donna Castro at donna.castro@ufl.edu you can also sign up on Facebook.

  Please click on the Eventbrite link below to sign up for the next Tree Trimmer classes being offered at this time:

  Upcoming classes -Click here - Scroll through to find the class you need.  Understand that these are training classes, and you will receive a training certificate, not a license.  See below for help with your Tree Trimmer License with Broward County.

  If you are having problems or questions with regard to the status of your Broward County Tree Trimmer License, please contact Broward County Code Enforcement, Licensing and Permitting.  

  The Broward Tree Trimmer Licensing Ordinance: The county's tree trimmer licensing program dates back to to October 2000 when the Broward County Board of County Commissioners passed an ordinance regulating the county's tree trimming industry.  The ordinance requires sole proprietors and businesses that trim trees for hire obtain a license to trim trees.

  This action was taken to improve the quality of trimming in the county and protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. One of the prerequisites for obtaining a tree trimmer license is to provide proof that at all times on a given job site, a minimum of one individual has successfully completed a tree trimming class conducted by UF/IFAS Broward County Extension.

  Licenses are issued by the Broward County Code Enforcement, Licensing and Permitting Division, are good for up two years and expire on August 31.  Each individual's training certificate is also good for two years and must be renewed at UF/IFAS Broward County Extension.  License Application Link

   

• Landscape and Nursery Workshops, Seminars and Demonstrations:

  Upcoming Classes

  Schedule updates will be provided on this website and via our commercial horticulture e-newsletter.  To sign up for our e-newsletter, please contact Donna Torrey at donna.torrey@ufl.edu or sign up on our Facebook page:

  @commhortbroward

   

  Landscape Inspector Association of Florida (LIAF) Certification 

  Note: In order to attend this class and sit for the exam, you must complete an application, be approved and pay applicable fees.

  For details, please visit www.landscapeinspectors.org

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

• Pesticide Applicator Training and Testing

  Pesticide Testing is offered on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, by appointment only.

  Pesticide testing will be on computer only, so we can now test for Pest Control Operator licensing and also you will receive your test results immediately upon completion of the exam, which will shorten the time needed to obtain licensing and renewals.

  We will offer time blocks of 2 hours each per testing day.  PCO Testing will be allotted a 4 -hour time block.  If you are taking a PCO exam, please choose the 4-hour time block.

  Times will be as follows:  8:30-10:30, 10:30-12:30, 12:30-2:30 

  If you come to the building without an appointment, you may be turned away.

  Before your arrival be sure to obtain a voucher and appointment through FDACS.  After you obtain a voucher, you must bring it in to take the test.

  You are responsible to purchase the study manual needed to learn the material on the test prior to taking the exam.  Study manuals can be purchased through the IFAS bookstore. 

  Upcoming Training/CEU Classes - Click here - scroll through to find the class you need.

  Scheduled updates will be provided on this website and via our commercial horticulture e-newsletter.  Please sign up for our e-newsletter by contacting Donna Castro at donna.Castro@ufl.edu or on our Facebook page (@commhortbroward)

  We offer a limited number of pesticide applicator training classes throughout the year.  These classes will help you prepare for exams and also earn CEUs to renew existing licenses.  

  If you are having problems with FDACS licensing, please contact them directly.

  Email Donna Castro for information: donna.castro@ufl.edu

   

• Green Industry Best Management Practices

  Upcoming Classes - Click here - Scroll through to find the class you need

  Schedule updates will be provided on this website and via our commercial horticulture e-newsletter.  To sign up for the e-newsletter, please contact Donna Castro at donna.castro@ufl.edu or on our Facebook page.

  GI-BMP Certification. Receive training in the Green Industry Best Management Practices required for all lawn and landscape maintenance personnel who apply fertilizer to urban landscapes for hire.

  Successful completion of this training program allows you to qualify for the State of Florida Limited Urban Fertilizer (LUF) Applicator's Certificate. CEU's may be earned by those completing this class who need to renew this and other licenses.  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

• Commercial Pest & Plant Problem Identification & Diagnosis

  If you need assistance identifying an ornamental plant or pest problem, please take several good photos and provide a detailed description.

  Email them to morf@ufl.edu and donna.castro@ufl.edu.

  We will get back to you at our earliest convenience, usually within the week.

  UF/IFAS Diagnostics - for questions about plants, weeds, diseases, insects, soil/water, nematodes and other identification

  DISEASE ALERT:  LETHAL BRONZING BECOMING MORE PRONOUNCED... BE ON THE LOOKOUT.  Please read the document link to become informed about this new threat to our native and non-native palm trees:  Lethal Bronzing