Implementing An IPM Program Between Hispanic Landscape Management Companies (Part 1 - Year 2007)
Project description and objectives:
According to a 2005 University of Florida Nursery and Landscape Industry Economic analysis report Florida’s landscape sector accounts for 5.255 billion dollar sales a year. Almost 30% is related to landscape maintenance business. In 
Florida we have 6 million acres of land. The use of IPM principles to minimize pests and apply chemicals only when appropriate is a key concept if we want to live in a sustainable environment. Traditionally the majority of Extension landscape management programming and educational publications available on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) topics have been produced and directed towards an English speaking audience. However in Florida a demographic change is rapidly happening where the number of Hispanic speaking landscape management companies is increasing in the last few years. In Miami-Dade approximately sixty percent of the landscape work force speaks Spanish. The purpose of this project is to develop a basic IPM Scouting Kit to educate the growing number of urban Hispanic landscape personnel. The Spanish IPM Scouting Kit is a multi-county effort between Duval, St. Lucie and Miami-Dade County Commercial Extension agents.
Project activities:
The first step was the creation of the IPM toolbox which contain the following materials: briefcase, hand pruner, triple fold magnifier, latex gloves, pen, permanent marker, pencil, ruler, sample bags 6x9 and 4x6, and polystyrene collection jars. It also includes reference materials such as: UF card deck 
Disorders and Diseases of Ornamental Palms (SP360), Helpful, Harmful or Harmless (SP130) and Troubleshooting Lawn Pests (SP180), a weed identification insert about the most documented weed problems in Florida landscapes and a disease, insect and weed survey scouting sheets. All these materials were translated into Spanish with the assistance of specialist and county faculty who speak Spanish. Upon completion of the written translations, PowerPoint presentations were also converted from English to Spanish. These presentations included information on how to use the IPM scouting kit, Integrated Pest Management Principles, and Diseases and Disorders of Palms and Landscape Plants.
When we completed converting the IPM materials from English to Spanish, landscape companies were selected and presentation times and dates were established. The IPM extension education team determined that the presentations were to be delivered in three individual counties from Miami – Dade up the coast to St. Lucie and continuing on into Jacksonville in Duval County.
Twenty eight participants from 14 landscape companies were selected. On the day of the presentation County faculty provided the tool box to those Hispanic landscape companies that pre- registered. The delivery of the programming was enriched by numerous physical samples of insect and disease problems strategically located in the classroom. The morning classroom activities were reinforced by field exercises in the afternoon when IPM students were provided an opportunity to use the IPM tool box first hand.
Project accomplishments:
By creating a Hispanic toolbox, Spanish landscapers now have understandable diagnostic tools to increase their awareness and delivery of IPM to their clients. Carlos Pulido of Sunshine Landscapes commented “The creation of these materials will help my guys to be more informed employees”.
In a survey conducted six month’s after the IPM training, it was indicated that 
participants were using class handouts anywhere from daily to once a month with the average use at one to two times per week. The survey also indicated that as a result of the training, those who participated felt more confident talking to their clientele on pest related topics. One student commented, “Two weeks ago I was checking a client’s lawn, when I explained to the client what was wrong with the turf he really understood the problem.”
In the same survey when asked if there was an interest in participating in follow -up IPM classes one student indicated, “Yes, more knowledge is what is needed to educate customers and homeowners”. When asked if the class was of value, one student responded “This was one of the best programs that I attended. The live insects and diseases exercise was great. Thank you for the program.”
Other impacts realized from this Hispanic IPM program include a Spanish Version (SP 360) Disorders and Diseases of Ornamental Palms card deck to become available for sale at the University of Florida IFAS bookstore.
Click here to view the continuation of this IPM Program, Part 2 - Year 2008.
Project leaders:
- Henry Mayer, Commercial Urban Horticulture Agent, UF/IFAS Miami-Dade Cooperative Extension Service
- Ed Skvarch, Commercial Horticulture Agent, St. Lucie County Extension
- Pam Mattis, Commercial Horticulture Agent, Duval County Extension