Integrated Pest Management for Pinellas County Nurseries
Project description and objectives:
There are 74 commercial ornamental nurseries in Pinellas, and they contribute $91,776,681.00 to the county's economy annually. As in many other counties throughout the United States, Pinellas County nurseries' pest management strategies rely solely on pesticide, herbicide, and fungicide applications. The UF Extension/IFAS recommends changing the existing pest management system towards a more environmentally sound pest control strategy that is economically viable for ornamental growers. Integrated Pest Management is a viable alternative.
Project activities:
The educational program will emphasize the advantages of using IPM in ornamental nurseries; develop 5 modules for IPM workshop training; establish a demonstration IPM plot at the Florida Botanical Gardens as a practical teaching tool and create a web site for online training.
Project accomplishments:
Project leaders:
- Dr. John Alleyne, County Extension Director and Extension Agt III/Urban Commercial Horticulture, Martin Co.
- Maria Apgar, Pinellas Co. Extension