COMMERCIAL HORTICULTURE

Sarasota County presently has nearly 400,000 full-time residents, with a share of Florida’s 70 million annual visitors, a unique ecology and climate, and a wide range of plant material grown year-round. Frequently, residents, visitors and property managers have unrealistic expectations for landscaping, and might encourage customers to use practices that harm Florida’s environment. Many of these people are dependent on professional horticulture service providers to make decisions regarding the landscape management of their properties.

Through improvement of the green industry’s professionalism, the gap between unrealistic landscape expectations and the reality of a Florida-Friendly landscape can be narrowed. In addition, the professional can pass on to the property owner the knowledge and skills appropriate for Florida conditions. With adoption of best management practices, the customer can realize the aesthetic, environmental and economic benefits of a healthy landscape.

The professional horticulture services industry in Florida has a tremendous economic impact, and industry professionals make thousands of horticulture and pest management decisions daily. UF/IFAS Extension research and science-based educational programs can provide the green industry with best management practices and skills necessary to create and manage landscapes with reduced risk to the environment. Additionally, we are expanding our delivery of Spanish-language courses and events, to greater serve a growing segment of the workforce.

UF/IFAS Extension has the ability to deliver research-based, unbiased technical information to the professional horticulture service industries on a county-by-county basis. Teaching the green industry current knowledge and skills will:

• Encourage landscape design, installation and management practices that minimize negative environmental impacts and conserve natural resources.
• Improve business profitability and longevity by providing business and management skills.
• Improve Florida’s economy through successful business growth.
• Improve quality of life in Florida by protecting the environment
• Improve property values through installation of Florida Friendly landscapes and their correct management.
• Increase green industry professionalism through continuing education and certification programs.