The Florida landscape industry is at a critical juncture where integrating innovative practices and sustainability is not just beneficial, but essential. This workshop focuses on equipping landscape professionals with KNOWLEDGE and tools to implement General Industry Best Management Practices (GI-BMP) and advanced water conservation methods. By embracing these practices, participants will learn how to reduce environmental impact, conserve water, and comply with local regulations while enhancing the health and aesthetics of landscapes. Whether it's tackling labor shortages or managing plant health more effectively, this workshop will provide actionable insights and solutions to help you elevate your business and contribute to a more sustainable Florida.
Date: Thursday, February 27th, 2025
Time: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM (EST)
Venue: Duval County UF/IFAS Extension Office
1010 North McDuff Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32254
Additional Details:
- Light Breakfast + Lunch
- FDACS CEUs: Pending
- Free Event
- Parking Free - Details to Follow
Registration
Agenda
7:30 – 8:00AM Registration / Sign In / Breakfast
8:00 – 8:15 AM Introduction
Mike Diemer, Central and North Florida Territory Manager, Rainbow Ecoscience
- Welcome
- Safety brief
- Housekeeping, photo / video
- Review the agenda for the day and expectations
- Introduction of guest speakers and Rainbow staff
8:15 – 9:15 AM Planting Site Management
Larry Figart is an Extension Agent in Urban Forestry, for the Duval County Extension Service.
Proper management of landscape diseases begins with identification of the disease. The Disease Triangle consists of Host, Pathogen, and Conducive Conditions, all of which are needed for disease activity. Proper plant health care and best management practices for plants are important for managing diseases. Applications of proper nutrition and fungicides can arrest disease activity and allow time for conducive conditions to change, aiding in abatement of disease.
9:15 – 9:25 AM Break
9:25 – 10:25 AM Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Disorders
George Richardson, Commercial Horticulture Agent 1, UF/IFAS Extension Duval County
10:25 – 10:40 AM Break
10:40 AM – 12:00 PM [OUTDOOR] Equipment Technology Demonstrations - Beneficial PHC tools in the landscape
Francisco Sicilia, Landscape Horticulture Specialist, Rainbow Ecoscience
Landscape maintenance operations are challenged by labor shortages, increasing client expectations, and finding new ways to create enhancement opportunities. Plant growth regulators are an innovative landscape management tool which reduces pruning, enhances plant aesthetics, and offers opportunities for enhancement sales. During this session we will discuss real life examples of plant growth regulator use in commercial landscapes. By the conclusion of this talk attendees will be familiar with where plant growth regulators can be used to save labor, improve plant health as an enhancement service, and how to educate property owners.
12:00 – 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 PM Justification For Integrating Plant Growth Regulators Into Your Business
Mark Lucas, National Landscape Account Manager, Rainbow Ecoscience
Landscape maintenance operations are challenged by labor shortages, increasing client expectations, and finding new ways to create enhancement opportunities. Plant growth regulators are an innovative landscape management tool which reduces pruning, enhances plant aesthetics, and offers opportunities for enhancement sales. During this session we will discuss real life examples of plant growth regulator use in commercial landscapes. By the conclusion of this talk attendees will be familiar with where plant growth regulators can be used to save labor, improve plant health as an enhancement service, and how to educate property owners.
2:00 – 2:10 PM Break
2:10 – 3:10 PM Woody Plant, Tree, and Ornamental Grass Management
Rhonda Gracie, Horticulturist – UNF Botanical Garden
3:10 – 3:30 PM Raffle & Closing Remarks
