Palm Workshop

Here is an interesting opportunity for those of you who grow lots of palms. You may want to check this out.

Palm Management in the Florida Landscape

Date: Tuesday, October 27 and Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Time: 7:45 AM – 5:00 PM each day

Location: University of Florida - IFAS
Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center
3205 College Avenue
Davie, FL 33314

Registration Fee: $300, checks only, payable to the “University of Florida”

Reservations/Payment By: October 15, 2009 (or until class fills up)

Enrollment Limit: 40 persons. Enrollment will be limited to 3 persons per company
initially. If space is still available after October 15, this enrollment cap will be lifted.

CEUs applied for: ISA, FNGLA and FDACS (pesticide license)

Topics
(classroom presentations and field trip to palm groves on site)
Ÿ Diagnosing Palm Problems Ÿ Palm Insects
Ÿ Palm Anatomy and Growth Ÿ Palm Diseases
Ÿ Physiological Disorders Ÿ Normal Abnormalities
Ÿ Nutrient Deficiencies Ÿ Fertilizer Formulations
Ÿ Sampling and Leaf Analysis Ÿ Fertilizer Application Techniques
Ÿ Transplant Issues Ÿ Pruning Palms

Instructors:
· Dr. Timothy Broschat, Palm Horticulturist, Nutrition and Fertilization
· Dr. Monica Elliott, Palm Pathologist, Fungal Diseases
· Dr. Robin Giblin-Davis, Palm Entomologist/Nematologist
· Dr. Nigel Harrison, Palm Pathologist, Phytoplasma Diseases

For more information and to reserve your spot for “Palm School”, contact:
Dr. Monica Elliott
e-mail: melliott@ufl.edu
phone: 954/577-6315

Position Wanted

Occasionally a client will ask this agent if they know of anyone that is hiring at the moment. Or, I get asked if I might know of anyone to fill a vacant position. I feel that both of these questions are valid to ask of your county agent. And I think that as a clearing house of information and helping this industry maintain a sustainable workforce, I am more than happy to help you if at all possible.

I have a person with horticultural skills looking for employment. This candidate is a Florida Certified Horticulture Professional and has gardening, growing, propagation, retail, landscaping and customer service skills. If you would like more information send me an email ststeed@ufl.edu and I can pass along the resume.

Matchmaker Meeting with Sen.Rhonda Storms

We had an interesting matchmaker style meeting with Sen. Rhonda Storms and the Tampa Bay Wholesale Growers. I was able to help bring together the growers within Sen. Storms district and she was able to get the various municipalities, governments, and Florida Department of Transportation districts and contractors for jobs that will be using Federal stimulus money on highway beautification projects around the state. It was her hope that we could get stimulus money into the hands of gowers and landscapers within her district. It was a great idea and many growers left with some novel thoughts on how to market to contractors and landscapers that will be trying to get some of these projects. There was a good turnout with about 120 people tossing around options and ideas and learning what projects are going to be showing up in the bidding process. Here are some pictures of the meeting.

Field Day for Landscapes at Balm

Dr. Geoff Denny sent me this announcement about a field day they are organizing atthe Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm. It is geared more towards caladium growers and landscapers but there will be good information that growers can use as well. Here is the summary of the field day.

Spend an exciting day (September 17th, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM) at the University of Florida’s Gulf Coast Research & Education Center (GCREC) to learn the latest about:
· New and under-utilized, pest resistant plants for the landscape
· Caladiums in the urban landscape,
· Bio-control of insect pests
· Weed and disease management, and
· The relationship between soil management and pests in the landscape
After a stimulating morning of presentations by specialists at the GCREC, tour the facility and see, first-hand, the current research taking place.

Stick around at the end of the day for a fabulous give-away of rare and unusual plants – a must for any plant enthusiast!

The $15 registration fee covers educational materials, lunch and refreshments. FDACS and FNGLA CEUs (3 total) provided for professionals.

The GCREC is located at 14625 County Road 672, Wimauma, FL 33598. From I-75 north or south, take Exit 246 and merge onto Big Bend Road/CR 672 East towards US 301. Turn right onto US 301/CR 672 and travel approximately 1.4 miles. Turn left onto Balm Road/CR 672 and travel 7 miles. The center is located on the south side of Balm Road.

For more information about the day’s events, contact Ms. Christine Cooley, 813-634-0000 or ccooley@ufl.edu

Online Registration: http://fieldday091709.eventbrite.com/