Disease Management starts September 19!

Improve your prevention and management of diseases in nurseries and greenhouses by registering for Disease Management, the fourth course of the award-winning Greenhouse Online Training courses offered by the University of Florida IFAS Extension. This intermediate course is designed for growers with some experience and training. Topics covered include how to differentiate between a disease and other issues, disease prevention tips, organic and conventional disease management options, and how to safely apply and handle fungicides. The course is offered in English and Spanish. 

Dr. Carrie Harmon, Director of the UF/IFAS Plant Diagnostic Center in Gainesville, FL and Co-Director of the National Plant Diagnostic Network teaches the course. Growers have described the training as “detailed but digestible, with an emphasis on practical, field-applicable knowledge”, and that it helped them “feel more capable identifying disease problems, and less intimidated by the disease books on the shelf.”

The course runs from September 19 to October 14, 2022. The cost is US$249 per participant, with a 20% discount if you register five or more. All course material is completely online and available at any time of the day, and includes pre-recorded videos, an interactive discussion board with PhD professors, and quizzes. Two new modules are activated each week during the course, for a total of 8 learning modules. Instruction is at your own pace and time within the 4 weeks of the course, with a typical time commitment of about 6 hours per week. Click here to register (http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/).

Disease Management is one of the courses included in the new Plant Health Professional certification program launched in July 2022. This program is supported by University of Florida UF IFAS Extension (UF Greenhouse Training Online) and the Michigan State University Floriculture Program Extension (MSU Online College of Knowledge) for greenhouse clientele successfully completing several existing courses from the two programs.

For more information, including discounts for registering multiple staff, email us at greenhousetraining@ifas.ufl.edu, or visit http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/.

Nutrient Management Level 1 Starts July 11!

Train your staff to make better decisions about fertilizer and plant nutrient management. Nutrient Management Level 1 is the second course of the award-winning Greenhouse Online Training program offered by the University of Florida IFAS Extension. This course is intermediate level and designed for people with some experience or entry university level, who are in production, technical, or sales role for greenhouse and nursery crops. Topics covered include common nutrient problems, essential nutrients, fertilizer types, growing media, and testing (soil, nutrient solution and tissue). The course is offered in English and Spanish. Rated 4.4 out of 5 by grower participants.

The course runs from July 11 to August 5, 2022. The cost is $249 per participant, with a 20% discount if you register 5 or more. All course material is completely online and available at any time of the day, and includes pre-recorded videos, an interactive discussion board with PhD professors, and quizzes. Two new modules are activated each week during the course, for a total of 8 learning modules. Instruction is at your own pace and time within the 4 weeks of the course, with a typical time commitment of about 6 hours per week. Click here to register (http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/).

Nutrient Management 1 is the first of the courses of the new Plant Health Professional certification program which we are launching later in 2022. This program is supported by University of Florida UF IFAS Extension (UF Greenhouse Training Online) and the Michigan State University Floriculture Program Extension (MSU Online College of Knowledge) for greenhouse clientele successfully completing several existing courses from the two programs.

For more information, go to http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/, or contact Greenhouse Training, Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida, USA, Email: greenhousetraining@ifas.ufl.edu.

This intermediate course is designed for growers with some experience and training. Topics covered include how to differentiate between a disease and other issues, disease prevention tips, organic and conventional disease management options, and how to safely apply and handle fungicides. The course is offered in English and Spanish. 

Dr. Carrie Harmon, Director of the UF/IFAS Plant Diagnostic Center in Gainesville, FL and Executive Director of the National Plant Diagnostic Network teaches the course. Growers have described the training as “easy to understand and follow”, and that it helped them “feel more capable identifying disease problems, and less intimidated by the disease books on the shelf.”

The course runs from September 13 to October 8, 2021. The cost is US$249 per participant, with a 20% discount if you register five or more. Materials are completely online, and include pre-recorded videos, an interactive discussion board with PhD professors, and quizzes. Lessons are available at any time of the day, and two new modules are activated each week during the course, for a total of eight learning modules. Click here to register (http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/).

For more information, including discounts for registering multiple staff, email us at greenhousetraining@ifas.ufl.edu, or visit http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/.

Topics covered include crop enterprise budgets, income statements, allocation of overhead, seasonality, space use, shrinkage, labor cost, pricing, and more. This course is advanced level and designed for experienced, well-trained growers, or people with upper university education. The course is offered in English and Spanish. 

Instructors include economist Dr. Charles Hall, Ellison Chair in International Floriculture from Texas A&M University, Dr. Paul Fisher and Dr. Kevin Athearn from UF, and other experts including Bill Swanekamp (KubePak Corp.).

The course runs from August 2 to August 27, 2021. The cost is $US499 per participant, with a 20% discount if you register 5 or more. The course is completely online, and includes pre-recorded videos, an interactive discussion board with PhD professors, and quizzes. The course material is available any time of the day, and two new modules are activated each week during the course, for a total of 8 learning modules. Click here to register (http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/).

For more information, go to http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/, or contact Greenhouse Training, Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida, USA, Email: greenhousetraining@ifas.ufl.edu.

Nutrient Management Level 1 Starts July 5!

Train yourself and your staff to make better decisions about fertilizer and plant nutrient management. Nutrient Management Level 1 is the second course of the award-winning Greenhouse Online Training courses offered by the University of Florida IFAS Extension. This course is intermediate level and designed for people with some experience or entry university level, who are in production, technical, or sales role for greenhouse and nursery crops. Topics covered include common nutrient problems, essential nutrients, fertilizer types, growing media, and testing (soil, nutrient solution and tissue). The course is offered in English and Spanish. Rated 4.4 out of 5 by grower participants.

The course runs from July 5 to July 30, 2021. The cost is $US249 per participant, with a 20% discount if you register 5 or more. The course is completely online, and includes pre-recorded videos, an interactive discussion board with PhD professors, and quizzes. The course material is available any time of the day, and two new modules are activated each week during the course, for a total of 8 learning modules. Click here to register (http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/).

For more information, go to http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/, or contact Greenhouse Training, Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida, USA, Email: greenhousetraining@ifas.ufl.edu.

This video is part of the series called “Five Tips for Horticulture” featured on the Greenhouse Training Online channel (https://tinyurl.com/ufgto). The series highlights technical topics from university and industry experts. Subscribe to receive upcoming videos. The channel is sponsored by the Floriculture Research Alliance (floriculturealliance.org).

For more information on related topics, take the UF IFAS Extension online courses for growers in English and Spanish including Greenhouse 101 beginning on May 31 and Nutrient Management 1 on July 5 (https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/).

The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. ifas.ufl.edu | @UF_IFAS

Join over 660 growers who have graduated from Greenhouse 101 since 2015 in our award-winning program and receive a customized certificate of completion. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by grower participants.

The course runs from May 31 to June 25, 2021. The cost is $US249 per participant, with a 20% discount if you register 5 or more. The course is completely online, and includes pre-recorded videos, an interactive discussion board with PhD professors, and quizzes. The course material is available any time of the day, and two new modules are activated each week during the course, for a total of 8 learning modules. Click here to register (http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/).

For more information, go to http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/, or contact Greenhouse Training, Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida, USA, Email: greenhousetraining@ifas.ufl.edu.

University of Florida IFAS Extension provides four-week, award-winning, online training courses in English and Spanish. The first course of the year, Greenhouse 101, starts on May 31, 2021. To register, visit http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/.

Each course is completely online, and includes pre-recorded videos, an interactive discussion board with PhD professors, and quizzes. The course material is available any time of the day, and two new modules are activated each week during the course the four weeks of each course, for a total of 8 learning modules.

Experienced university instructors are available to help, and graduates receive a personalized certificate of completion. There is a course for every level of knowledge and skill.

Greenhouse 101 teaches the underlying horticultural science of plant growth to growers who lack a formal training in horticulture and is a great introduction to the program. Topics covered are plant parts and functions, photosynthesis and growth, greenhouse technology, flowering, compactness and branching, irrigation, nutrition, and plant health.

Join the over 2500 growers who have successfully graduated from Greenhouse Training Online courses. We have a 76% completion rate, and our participants provide positive reviews: “Thanks for the opportunity to continue each of our educations with a realistic and flexible program to successfully complete while working full time”, “Courses are very well crafted by growers for growers.”

We offer a 20% discount when you register 5 or more. For more information, including discounts for registering multiple staff email us at: greenhousetraining@ifas.ufl.edu.

The video is hosted by Dr. Paul Fisher of University of Florida IFAS Extension for the Five Tips for Horticulture series on the UF/IFAS Greenhouse Training Online channel (tinyurl.com/ufgto). The series highlights technical topics from university and industry experts. The channel is sponsored by the Floriculture Research Alliance (floriculturealliance.org).

For related training on this topic, see our Greenhouse Training Online certificate courses for growers at https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training, including the Irrigation Water Quality and Treatment course that will be offered in 2021.

The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. ifas.ufl.edu | @UF_IFAS

This video is part of the series called “Five Tips for Horticulture” featured on the Greenhouse Training Online channel (https://tinyurl.com/ufgto). The series highlights technical topics from university and industry experts.

Subscribe to receive upcoming videos on topics such as growing media,
vermicompost, and running successful trials. The channel is sponsored by the Floriculture Research Alliance (floriculturealliance.org).

For more information on hydroponics, take the UF IFAS Extension online course for growers on Hydroponic Vegetable Production beginning on November 9 (https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/) in English and Spanish.

The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. ifas.ufl.edu | @UF_IFAS

Access this video in the “Five Tips for Horticulture” series on the UF/IFAS Greenhouse Training Online channel (tinyurl.com/ufgto). The series highlights technical topics from university and industry experts. Subscribe to receive upcoming videos on topics such as growing media, vermicompost, and hydroponic substrates. The channel is sponsored by the Floriculture Research Alliance (floriculturealliance.org).

For more training on Weed Management for Greenhouses and Nurseries, take Chris Marble’s UF/IFAS online course beginning on October 26 (hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/) in English and Spanish.
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. ifas.ufl.edu  |  @UF_IFAS

This video is part of the series called “Five Tips for Horticulture” featured on the Greenhouse Training Online channel (https://tinyurl.com/ufgto). The series highlights technical topics from university and industry experts. Look for upcoming videos on topics such as growing media, vermicompost, and hydroponics substrates. The channel is sponsored by the Floriculture Research Alliance (floriculturealliance.org).

For more information on hydroponics, take the UF IFAS Extension online course for growers on Hydroponic Vegetable Production beginning on November 9 (https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/) in English and Spanish.

The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. ifas.ufl.edu  |  @UF_IFAS

Our last Greenhouse Training Online course for 2020!

The most requested course by participants of the award-winning Greenhouse Online Training program from University of Florida IFAS Extension is here! Learn to manage different hydroponics systems, as well as the fundamentals of climate, water, nutrition, and plant health in these systems. This intermediate course is designed for growers with some experience and training. Topics covered include hydroponics growing systems and structures, specific vegetable crop examples, business management, and food safety. The course is offered in English and Spanish.

The course is taught by a team of instructors from the University of Florida and Cornell University, which include Bob Hochmuth, Assistant Center Director for the UF/IFAS North Florida Research & Education Center at Live Oak and Regional Specialized Extension Agent for commercial vegetable crops, and Tatiana Sanchez Commercial Horticulture Agent for UF/IFAS in Alachua County. Bob and Tatiana along with other extension staff, collaborate to teach hands-on courses on hydroponics at the UF Small Farms Academy, a popular Extension program hosted at Live Oak since 2009. These popular hands-on trainings have been enjoyed by over 1,000 attendees from 20 states in the United States as well as 8 other countries.

The course runs from November 9 to December 11, 2020 (with a week break for the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States) and includes a personalized certificate of completion. The cost is $US199 per participant, with discounts if you register 5 or more. The last day to register is November 16, 2020. Over the 4 weeks of the course, there are streaming video lessons, readings, and assignments (about 3-4 hours total commitment per week), which can be accessed at any time of day. Click here to register (http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/).

For more information, including discounts for registering multiple staff, email us at greenhousetraining@ifas.ufl.edu, or visit http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training/.

The estimate was released as part of a new document, “Preliminary Assessment of Agricultural Losses and Damages resulting from Hurricane Sally,” from the UF/IFAS Economic Impact Analysis Program. 

“Unlike most hurricanes, where wind is the driving force behind a majority of the damages, Hurricane Sally also included a lot of rainfall in a short period of time in an area that already had saturated ground,” said Christa Court, director of the program and assistant professor in the UF/IFAS food and resource economics department. “There were still impacts like pecans blown off trees, but we also have to account for significantly more water impacting crop fields and grazing lands than we usually see.”

The program conducts assessments after any event that disrupts the standard operations of Florida’s agriculture industry; usually, the surveys are deployed after natural disasters like hurricanes, floods and wildfires, but this year also included assessments of the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Court and her colleagues began collecting baseline data for agricultural losses and damages resulting from tropical cyclone events in 2016, in the wake of Hurricane Irma. Since then, the program has continued to improve its baseline and impact databases for these types of analyses.

Even with this comparison data available to the research team, analyzing Hurricane Sally’s impacts is still complicated, the preliminary assessment notes. Hurricane Irma’s winds had a minimal effect on the Panhandle region, with more impacts felt throughout South and Central Florida. And although Hurricane Michael’s reach overlapped some with Sally’s, the 2018 storm was more intense upon landfall and maintained its strength for a longer stretch inland, but its faster movement meant less precipitation overall.

To assist with the analysis, the UF/IFAS Economic Impact Analysis Program used data from multiple sources, in addition to its previous post-storm assessments. The National Hurricane Center’s imagery of the storm was combined with geospatial data from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on croplands in the area. The researchers then used information from the UF/IFAS Electronic Data Information Source and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) QuickStats database to adjust for season and harvest times. Once the impacted agricultural products were determined, a valuation was estimated using information from USDA-NASS and an economic modeling program called IMPLAN.

The researchers also gleaned insights from Cooperative Extension personnel at Texas A&M University, who assessed Texas’ agricultural losses in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Harvey was a similarly slow-moving storm that drenched much of the Texas Gulf Coast. 

According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Sally dropped up to 20 inches of rainfall in a 72-hour timeframe, with the highest levels inundating the coastline along the Alabama/Florida border. Precipitation topped 12 inches as far away as Franklin County, a coastal county within an hour’s drive of Tallahassee.

Despite heavy flooding prohibiting full assessments of some fields, the researchers were able to collect some visual assessments that indicate what those larger impacts may be. Among their predictions:

• Field and row crops will likely experience significant losses due to wind damage and heavy precipitation and flooding. In the affected area, this includes crops like peanuts, cotton, soybeans and hay, to name a few.
• Shellfish harvest closures are expected to cause losses for aquaculture producers.
• Livestock operations (beef and dairy cattle, horses, poultry, etc.) and producers of animal products (milk, eggs, honey) may suffer losses due to damaged fencing and loss of electricity.
• Unsold, already-harvested crops in inadequate storage are likely to be losses attributed to direct storm causes or indirect future damages, like rot.

“We anticipate that as fields dry out and can be effectively assessed, we will capture a more complete picture of the losses to the agricultural producers in this region,” Court said. “We’re going to continue to gather assessments for Hurricane Sally damage and losses for at least the next several weeks, but our preliminary valuation estimate is a range to account for many of these unknowns. What isn’t destroyed may have diminished yield or quality, and then there’s secondary factors like disease spread due to missed control methods, or damage to equipment and infrastructure.”

The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 

ifas.ufl.edu  |  @UF_IFAS