Green Industries Best Management Practices (GI-BMP) Training- ENGLISH

This training will be held in-person on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, from 8:30 AM-4:00 PM at the Lake Crago Recreation Complex, 525 Lake Crago Dr, Lakeland, FL 33805.

About this Event

This class provides the training and exam to obtain a Limited Certification for Urban Landscape Commercial Fertilizer (LCULCF) also known as the Fertilizer License.

Lunch will be provided.

What are the Green Industries Best Management Practices?

GI-BMPs teach environmentally safe landscaping practices that help conserve and protect Florida’s ground and surface waters and natural resources. This science-based educational program for Green Industry professionals is brought to you by the UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Is the GI-BMP Training Mandatory?

YES! Florida law states that all commercial fertilizer applicators must have a certificate from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) by January 1, 2014 (s. 482.1562, F.S.). To get this certificate, each commercial applicator must be trained in the GI-BMPs and receive a certificate of completion from UF/IFAS and FDEP. Local ordinances may require this certification sooner, or require that non-commercial applicators also be trained.

Who benefits from the GI-BMP Training?

• Supervisors and employees in the lawn care, pest control, or landscape industries
• Municipal parks and recreation facility supervisors and employees
• Irrigation industry workers
• Commercial property managers
• City and county planning department staff
• City and county environmental department or water quality staff
• City and county commission staff
• Builders and developers
• Landscape designers and architects
• Golf course employees
• Anyone working in the areas of water quality, urban development, or environmental issues

CEU's available for Pesticide and/or Fertilizer Licenses (maximum of 4):

• 487 or 482 General Standards Core - 2
• Commercial L & O - 2
• Limited L & O - 2
• Limited Urban Fertilizer - 2
• O & T - 2
• Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance - 2
• Private Applicator - 2

If any accommodations are needed, please contact Julie Schelb at 863-519-1041 or [email protected]. Requests should be made as soon as possible but at least ten days prior to the scheduled meeting.

For questions, contact Julie Schelb at 863-519-1068 or [email protected] or Luis Rodriguez Rosado at 863-519-1049 or [email protected].

***Cancellation Policy***: Programs, workshops, and events are subject to cancellation if a minimum number of attendees are not registered. Cancellations will be posted on Eventbrite and an email will be sent to registrants.

For more information about GI-BMPs, click the link below:

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2025/03/13/green-industries-best-management-practices-gi-bmp-informative-video/

An equal opportunity institution.

Info: History, Background & Overview of the BMP Program & Local Ordinances. How to use the BMPs to protect water quality.

Info: Best Management Practices for healthy lawns and landscapes. Includes: mowing, pruning, fertilization & irrigation effects on water quality, plant health and ability to tolerate pest pressures.

Info: Irrigation Best Management Practices to conserve water, reduce disease & insect damage, and protect water quality. Irrigation BMPs include irrigation requirements, design, installation, monitoring, troubleshooting, and proper management of irrigation.

Info: Fertilizer sources: comparisons and responses; application; and safety.

Info: Licensing; environmental risk; use of IPM in a management program; pesticide selection, storage, handling & disposal.

Host or Publisher UF/IFAS Extension Polk County