GI-BMP | Gardening in the Panhandle

Green Industry Update: Fall 2013

by Blake Thaxton | Sep 4, 2013

Pesticide training:

Being licensed means complying with the law – but it also means you can run your business better and smarter. The licensing course will provide you with information you will use every day – on issues like laws, safety, labeling, and integrated pest management. Even more, having a license will give you extra credibility with your clients, since they will know you have the expertise to maintain their property, and the environment, too.

Which License do I need? Try the link to figure out which license is for you. If you are still confised call your local extension agent and they will happy to assist you.

Limited Commercial Maintenance & Limited Lawn and Ornamental

Sept 17^th – Okaloosa County
Oct. 18^th – Santa Rosa County
Nov. 1^st – Escambia County (4 hours CEU license renewal only)
Nov. 8^th – Escambia County
Nov. 19^th – Okaloosa County
Dec. 17^th – Leon County

Other Pesticide trainings:

Sept. 26^th – Okaloosa County, General Standards CORE & Ornamental and Turf
Dec. 10^th – Okaloosa County, General Standards CORE & Right of Way

Green Industry – Best Management Practices (GI-BMP)

Florida Statute 482.1562 states that all commercial fertilizer applicators must have a license from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) by January 1, 2014. To get this license, each Green Industry worker must be trained in the GI-BMPs and receive a certificate of completion from UF/IFAS and FDEP. Additionally, many non-commercial Green Industry applicators or other workers are required to pass the training by local ordinances or voluntarily participate in the program to better serve their clients.

Sept. 19^th – Bay County
Oct. 1^st – Okaloosa County
Oct. 4^th – Leon County
Nov. 13^th – Okaloosa County
Nov. 15^th – Santa Rosa County
Dec. 11^th – Jackson County

For Phone numbers to the County extension offices go to http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/map/#map and click on the county you wish to contact.

Green Industry – BMP Training

by Blake Thaxton | Sep 13, 2012

As of January 2014 all companies applying fertilizer, commercially “for hire”, will be required to hold a fertilizer applicators license. In order to obtain this license you must first become GI-BMP certified.

2014 isn’t that far away. Take the time to attend a class this fall. Don’t wait to the last minute and have to scramble to find a training close to home.

Upcoming Training opportunities in the panhandle:

September 25, 2012 in Milton 850-623-3868 – $20 agenda

October 25, 2012 in Crestview 850-689-5850 – $20 agenda

November 9, 2012 in Cantonment 850-475-5230 $30

(To register call the numbers next to the event you would like to attend)

What is the GI-BMP program?

The GI-BMP workshop is designed to provide training in Best Management Practices (BMPs) for anyone working in the lawn, landscape, pest control, or municipal grounds areas.
The Best Management Practices are focused on reducing non-point source pollution resulting from fertilization or pesticide application.
At the end of this training you will be given a post-test to determine knowledge learned. If the post-test is successfully completed, you will be mailed a Green Industries BMP certificate of completion.
Some cities & counties require this certification before you can bid on jobs or have commercial customers.
If you also need pesticide CEUs, get your signed CEU attendance form before you leave the class.