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panelists at the 2024 sustainable communities workshop share expert information with attendees. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarsota county]

Career Training and Development

UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County offers several programs to help local professionals learn valuable skills, increase knowledge, earn valuable certifications, and more.

On this page, you'll find a list of programs, trainings, and classes across myriad fields and focuses.

View the opportunities by choosing a category below (view all categories). Please note that some offerings might have limited availability through the seasons.

Businesses and Non-Profit Organizations

Audience: Companies and/or organizations interested in adopting or enhancing practices that promote conservation and sustainability.

Green Business Partnership

wide angle of brick storefronts in a downtown area. [credit: uf/ifas]The Green Business Partnership Best Management Practices (BMPs) course is open for all businesses in Florida. Using the model of the Sarasota County Green Business Partnership Program that was created in 2006, the course assists businesses with implementing green practices. A Sarasota County business that completes the application process has the option to become a recognized Green Business Partner. To date more than 250 businesses have earned certification in Sarasota County.

LEARN MORE: scgov.net/government/sustainability/green-business-partnership

Community Managers and Realtors

Audience: Professionals that work in community development or management.

Neighborhood Best Practices

screen shot from the uf/ifas canvas online course, The Neighborhood Best Practices program serves as a valuable resource for homeowner/community associations, residents, and association managers, facilitating connections with local resources and addressing common questions related to the responsible management of community resources, like stormwater ponds, preservation areas, trees, landscaping, irrigation and fertilization. The program equips participants with practical skills to enhance their roles within their communities and, potentially, open paths to careers in environmental management, landscaping and related fields.

LEARN MORE: sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/how-do-i/learn-best-practices-for-my-neighborhood/

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™

a sarasota county extension staff member leads a course on florida-friendly landscaping techniques. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]Extension's Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program offers targeted training for homeowner/community association board members, property managers, and landscape committees to better manage landscape contracts and adopt sustainable landscaping practices.

LEARN MORE: ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/ffl-and-you/ffl-professional-certification/

Green Industry and Coastal/Pond Contractors

Audience: Members of the “green industry,” who install or maintain landscapes for homeowners, field managers, homeowner/neighborhood associations, local government, or other entities with dedicated outdoor spaces.

Green Industries Best Management Practices

a worker uses a walk-behind broadcast spreader to apply chemicals to a residential landscape. [credit: uf/ifas]Part of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program, the Green Industries Best Management Practices (GI-BMP) program is a requirement to apply fertilizer commercially, or “for hire,” in Florida. The goal of this program is to reduce nonpoint-source pollution in order to protect our waterways.

LEARN MORE: gibmp.ifas.ufl.edu/

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Certified Professional

a sarasota county extension staff member leads a course on florida-friendly landscaping for professional certificatio. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]Awards the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Certified Professional (FFLCP) designation to individuals who have completed training in FFL principles and remain up to date with the latest UF/IFAS recommendations. Certified professionals are equipped to identify and address common landscape challenges using environmentally responsible practices, and earn inclusion in a statewide category.

LEARN MORE: ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/ffl-and-you/ffl-professional-certification/

Florida Nursery, Growers, and Landscape Professionals Association Irrigation Technicians

closeup of a participant checking irrigation equipment during a sarasota county extension training event. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]The Florida Nursery, Growers, and Landscape Professionals Association (FNGLA) offers certification for irrigation technicians who demonstrate understanding and technical ability to follow industry best management practices. Exam preparation and testing is available through the UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County office.

LEARN MORE: fngla.org/professional-growth/certifications/profile/fngla-certified-landscape-irrigation-service-technician

Mangrove Trimming Best Management Practices

view down a placid waterway lined by mangroves. [credit: uf/ifas]Mangroves are a vital component of our healthy shorelines, providing key habitat for an array of animals and serving to protect against powerful storm surges. Work on mangroves also is carefully regulated by Florida law. Learn the latest on mangroves by registering in this half-day workshop: mangrove ecology and identification, mangrove trimming regulations, and demonstration of mangrove trimming best practices.

LEARN MORE: floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/mtpa96_0.pdf

Living Shorelines Course for Marine Contractors

wide shot of coastal plants creating a earn about living shorelines: what they are and how they serve coastal habitats and communities, different designs, project databases where you can learn more about living shorelines near you, resources for more about these green infrastructures, and permitting processes.

LEARN MORE: floridalivingshorelines.com/

Invasive Plant Identification

closeup of an invasive plant in a florida landscape. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]In these hands-on workshops, develop skills in identifying invasive plant species frequently managed in residential landscapes and natural areas.

LEARN MORE: gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/weeds-and-invasive-plants/

Natural Resource Professionals

Audience: Individuals who help promote the health and biodiversity of our outdoor spaces, such as parks and nature preserves.

Florida Master Naturalist Program

participants in a florida master naturalist program event work outside checking animals, insects and plants. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]The Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) promotes awareness, understanding, and respect of Florida's natural world. It is valuable workforce training for ecotourism guides, local government staff, teachers, staff and volunteers from nonprofit organizations, development and planning professionals, and more.

LEARN MORE: masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu/

Florida Waters Stewardship Program

a sarasota county extension staff member discusses water protection and conservation during a group outing. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]This multi-session workshop series educates attendees on water-related issues while exploring new and interesting places. The program is aimed to help empower individuals to affect change through communication and process understanding.

LEARN MORE: blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/2023/05/05/florida-waters-stewardship-program/

LAKEWATCH and Florida Microplastics Awareness Project

closeup of fingers coated with microplastic particles, with a pile of microplastic particles in background. [credit: uf/ifas]Extension offers training for those interested in contributing to local citizen science data collection efforts. Florida LAKEWATCH and the Florida Microplastics Awareness Project are two opportunities where individuals can collect and submit regular surface water samples to help build statewide data sets. Training for these programs is available through the UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County Office.

LEARN MORE: lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/

Pest Management

Audience: Individuals and companies that manage pests indoors and/or outdoors.

Florida Pesticide Exam

a sarasota county extension staff member leads a pesticide application training course. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County provides exam education and review classes to professional applicators seeking certification from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

LEARN MORE: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PI292

Integrated Pest Management

a sarasota county extension staff member interacts with participants at a career training event. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an environmentally friendly, sustainable approach to long-term pest control using strategies to reduce reliance on pesticides and instances of resistance. These indoor and outdoor trainingswill share information about common pests, how to implement an IPM program, and ways to responsibly apply chemicals with the health and safety of people and the planet in mind.

LEARN MORE: sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/natural-resources/chemicals-in-the-environment/integrated-pest-management/

Volunteers and Educators

Audience: Individuals who help the community learn and grow.

Master Gardener Volunteers

master gardener volunteers in action on the sarasota county extension grounds. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]The Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) program provides in-depth, science-based training in horticulture, empowering volunteers to serve their communities through education and sustainable landscape practices. Through conferences, events, and community projects, volunteers connect with local and statewide horticulture professionals, UF/IFAS Extension faculty, and like-minded peers in the green industry.

LEARN MORE: sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/gardening-and-landscaping/horticulture-residential/master-gardener/

4-H Volunteers

volunteers with sarasota county extension work on projects. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]Through 4-H, volunteers focus on positive youth development, learning how to develop youth programs, engage youth in workforce development and life skills, and encourage youth to follow their passions.

LEARN MORE: sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/who-we-are/volunteers/

4-H Youth Workforce Preparation

Audience: Youth (ages 5-18) interested in developing life skills that build citizenship and leadership, critical to workforce development.

Learning in Florida's Environment

young girls use binoculars to scan for distant animal and plant life. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]Learning in Florida's Environment (LIFE) provides an in-school component followed by a field trip where fourth and fifth grade students participate in three hands-on, science-based labs focused on a specific local ecosystem. Educators model careers in science and nature, as students use scientific methods and equipment to further their understanding of the environment and our impact.

LEARN MORE: sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/natural-resources/ecology-and-natural-resources/learning-in-floridas-environment-life-program/

4-H Workforce Development

closeup of multiple, hand-held jars filled with soil and plants. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]Through 4-H events, activities and club programs, youth prepare for the workforce by learning an array of life skills, including communication, record keeping, and interpersonal and teamwork skills. They receive mentoring, and learn about potential careers and opportunities.

LEARN MORE: sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/4-h-youth-development/4-h-youth-development/4-h-join/

4-H Community Club Program

a 4-h club member poses with sarasota county extension's 4-h agent. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]Youth pick a project and work on it throughout the year. 4-H project options run a wide gamut across the science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) range, from raising animals to photography.

LEARN MORE: sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/4-h-youth-development/4-h-youth-development/4-h-clubs/

4-H Communication Skills

a youth showcases communication skills during a sarasota county extension's 4-h event. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]Youth develop talks about their 4-H work, how to complete tasks or actions, or other key elements of their 4-H projects, and can enter competitions to build public speaking skills.

LEARN MORE: sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/4-h-youth-development/4-h-youth-development/4-h-public-speaking-program/