Master Gardener Toolbox

For questions regarding this toolbox, please contact:

Rafael A. Vega, IPM Information Specialist
P.O. Box 110620
Gainesville, FL 32611-0620
352-273-3967
avega@ufl.edu

Toolboxes include scripted educational Material for use by Extension. These materials are delivered to extension agents in small groups of five to ten agents. Agents who receive toolboxes are shown the materials then given short lessons using the included materials. In this way they are introduced to the material in the toolbox and given a hands-on approach to delivering the materials to their clientele group. With this program in place Agents feel more comfortable educating the general public about Florida’s diverse insect ecosystems. The Florida extension effort in IPM has concentrated on educating clientele in the principles and benefits of IPM, and training people in the skills needed to identify and classify insects into helpful or harmful categories.

Collaborative IPM Florida efforts in IPM involve a range of stakeholders and have helped to cause reductions in the use of high-risk pest management practices, such as the application of broad-spectrum pesticides, in vegetable and ornamental plant production, public schools, and other contexts. A close relationship exists with IPM Florida and Florida’s Agriculture extension agents. These agents are the first responders to questions ranging from what is making this spot on my rose leaf, to how do I kill this (insert pest of choice). To help serve extension agents IPM Florida has developed an IPM Toolbox that includes entomological education material that goes beyond non scripted PowerPoint presentations. These Toolboxes include a ‘Good Bug, Bad Bug’ box that has pinned specimens that are commonly found in Florida. These specimen boxes serve every extension agent differently. Some use the boxes to educate Master Gardener groups some use them in 4H training while others have used the specimens to teach landscape professionals the difference between pest and beneficial insects. These Toolboxes have been distributed to every County in Florida.