November Ag & Natural Resources Programs

The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is pleased to announce the following Agriculture & Natural Resources programs for November 2026. These programs are being offered by Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent Kevin Korus.

Pesticide Training for Private Applicator and Agricultural Row Crops - A Review, Nov. 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the UF/IFAS Ag Auditorium (22716 W. Newberry Road, Newberry).

This workshop is designed to provide training for private applicators and for agricultural row-crop pest control licenses. The private applicator license is required for anyone who applies restricted-use pesticides to their own farm, greenhouse, or nursery.

This class helps participants review the materials needed for the pesticide license exam. To take the exam, they must create an account and apply online through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) licensing portal. After paying online, you will be given a voucher number to schedule your test.

Please note: Pesticide exams are no longer offered at extension offices. Exams are now administered primarily by Everblue, either remotely or at in-person locations.

Find an in-person testing site.

Attendees are encouraged to study before the exam, as the workshop will be a review only. Required books for the Private Applicator are SM 1 (Core) and SM 53. For the Agricultural Row Crops license, the required books are SM 1 (Core) and SM 5. These study manuals are not provided but can be pre-ordered online through the IFAS Bookstore.

Up to four Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered for applicants who already have their licenses. CEUs available include General Standard Core (482 & 487), Ag Row Crop, and Private Applicator.

The registration fee of $25 (plus a $3.52 Eventbrite fee) includes handout materials and light refreshments. Participants must register online by Nov. 2. The registration fee after Nov. 2 or at the door will be $35 (plus a $4.19 Eventbrite fee). This class is limited to 10. There will be no refunds for the registration fee.

Master Irrigator Overhead Irrigation Workshop - Nov. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Gilchrist County Extension Office (4150 US-129, Bell).

The UF/IFAS Master Irrigator Program is expanding in 2026 to offer irrigation workshops for agricultural producers in the Suwannee Valley. These workshops will bring together University of Florida and University of Georgia Extension specialists, irrigation industry professionals, and agency representatives to share practical strategies to improve irrigation efficiency, reduce production costs, and support crop production.

This workshop will focus on irrigation management for producers using overhead irrigation systems, particularly center pivots commonly used in row crop production.

Topics will include soil moisture sensors, irrigation scheduling, crop water requirements, fertigation, system maintenance and irrigation distribution uniformity. Representatives from the FDACS Mobile Irrigation Labs will discuss irrigation system evaluations and opportunities to improve the uniformity of water application. Participants will learn about technology and management strategies to improve irrigation efficiency.

The workshop is free, but participants must register online by Nov. 11.

For more information about these programs, contact Kevin Korus at 352-955-2402. For additional information about the irrigation workshop, contact UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension Agent of Water Resources Jay Capasso at [email protected]. Visit the extension office website for additional programs offered.

An Equal Opportunity Institution. Extension Service, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Dr. Andra Johnson, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. Single copies of extension publications (excluding 4-H and youth publications) are available free to Florida residents from county extension offices.

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