Cost Saving Potting Soils Class

Imagine getting fresh potting soil for less than $5.00 per cubic yard!  Would you like to know how? UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County will be having a two hour class demonstrating the recycling of used potting soil.  We will be discussing the results and utility of solarizing used potting soil from the USDA Southern Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education On-Farm Grant.  A model demonstration site will be available to look at so you will be able to treat your own soil.  We will also be discussing the availability and use of the Hillsborough County Biosolids/Compost program that will be available for use for agricultural producers in Hillsborough County in the future.  This may be a great alternative to buying peat/bark mixes.  The cost is free and refreshments will be served.  For more information please call Shawn 813-744-5519 Ext. 54147.  Location: 5339 CR 579, Seffner, FL 33584.  To register please either call Shawn or click this link.  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cost-savings-potting-soils-class-tickets-17894926206

Agenda
09:45 - 10:00  Sign in
10:00 - 10:45  Large Scale Solarization of Used Potting Soil-Shawn Steed, UF/IFAS Extension
10:45 - 11:10  Solarization Demonstration Viewing
11:10 - 11:20  Break
11:20 - 12:00  Hillsborough County Composting Program-Simon Bollin,  Agricultural Econ. Development Manager.
  

Private Applicator Training in Pasco County

Just a reminder about our regional team approach to teaching the Private Applicator Exam Review and testing opportunity...
 UF-IFAS Extension of Pasco County will be hosting a Private Applicator and CORE Exam Review on Thursday July 16th from 8:30am to 2pm at the Pasco County Extension Office located on the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City, FL.  This program has 2 classes in which each have been approved for 2 CEUs in their respective category. The cost is $15/person per class. The fee covers the cost of materials and light snacks. All exams are proctored after the completion of both reviews. You may only attend this program once per a year for CEUs per FDACS requirements.

To register, please use the following link: http://multicountycommhort.eventbrite.com/

Have Questions? Contact Cami Esmel McAvoy at 352-569-6872 or cami13@ufl.edu.

Mini-FARMS Grants Still Available

Just wanted to let you all know that the SWFWMD has funding still available through the MiniFARMS Program for water quantity related projects.  The money will be available until October and provides 75% cost share up to a maximum reimbursement of $5,000.  If you are a grower 100 acres or less and have a project you think will qualify please contact me.  You will also need to be in production for at least 2 years to qualify.

FNGLA Tampa Chapter Past President's Dinner Rescheduled

NEW DATE: Thursday, July 23

Location: Same, Columbia Café @ The History Center

The reason for the change is because the arena added an event on our originally scheduled date and parking would be limited and expensive. Changing the date will make parking and attendance easier on everyone attending.

Thank you for your understanding in switching the date to July 23 and hopefully more people can attend. Look forward to seeing everyone there.

Tickets are $20 per person. Includes 3-course meal and free raffle tickets. We have some great prizes. Also, please bring cash for 50/50 Raffle. Landscape Pros are sponsors of the 50/50 and the pot will start at $50 and grow from there.

Thanks to Big Earth and Soho Landscape as Dessert Sponsors and BIG Thanks to Maher Chevrolet as Lead Sponsor of this special event.

Increase Your Pest Management Solutions Through Surveys

Here is your chance to weigh in on the spending of some of your tax money to help pest management options on ornamental plants.  The IR-4 Program is a cooperation of USDA and EPA to expand pesticide labels so more control options are available to growers to manage pests through collection of residue and efficacy data in support of the registration or reregistration of minor use pesticides.  A survey is available to voice any concerns you have in controlling particular pests on certain crops. The survey is extremely brief and will take only a few minutes to complete.  See survey information below.

Ornamental Horticulture Program
2015/2015 IR-4 Ornamental Horticulture Program Survey

The IR-4 Project’s Ornamental Horticulture Program helps provide safe and effective pest management solutions for greenhouse, nursery, landscape, Christmas tree and forestry producers. Every other year, we prioritize the next two-year research plan at our Ornamental Horticulture Workshop. Our next Workshop will be held October 6 – 8, 2015 in Chicago, IL. We invite you to help us focus our research by answering a few questions about the diseases, insects, and weeds which impact your business. Your responses to these questions will provide direction to approximately $1 million annual funding dedicated to identifying new tools for managing diseases, insects and weeds on ornamental horticulture plants. The survey is available online at http://ir4.rutgers.edu/Ornamental/Survey/index.cfm  Please complete the survey before Aug 29th.