Join Us for the Florida First Detector Workshop in Levy County!

Protect Your Home, Garden, and Florida’s Natural Beauty

Are you concerned about pests damaging your home, garden, or Florida’s natural landscapes?
You’re not alone—and you’re invited to take part in a powerful workshop designed to equip Florida homeowners with the knowledge and tools to detect and prevent invasive pests and plant diseases before they become costly or irreversible.

What is Florida First Detector?

Florida First Detector is a multi-agency educational effort committed to early pest detection and rapid response. It’s a partnership between:

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS)
County governments
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ)
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)
Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Program (CAPS)
National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN)
Sentinel Plant Network (SPN)

This joint initiative combines scientific expertise, local outreach, and hands-on education to help communities stop invasive pests in their tracks.

Why You Should Attend:

Whether you’re a longtime gardener or a homeowner wanting to protect your landscape, this fun and informative workshop will give you practical skills you can use right away.

You’ll learn:

How to spot exotic and invasive pests early — before they become a costly problem
Why these pests are tough to manage and how they spread
Simple ways you can help protect your home, garden, and local environment
How to collect and submit pest samples the right way (it’s easier than you think!)

Taught by University of Florida agents and doctor of plant medicine students, this workshop features both indoor learning and outdoor, hands-on activities make learning interactive and engaging while building your confidence and skills.

Featured Topics Include:

How to identify and report invasive plant pests
Using beneficial insects to control harmful pests naturally
Understanding pest pathways and prevention strategies
Networking with others who care about Florida’s future

You’ll meet new people, get your hands dirty (in the best way), and leave with real-world skills to apply in your garden or landscape.

Event Details:

Location: Levy County Extension, 625 North Hathaway Avenue, Bronson
Date: Tuesday, November 4
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Cost: $20 per person
Includes: Boxed lunch + all workshop materials

How to Register:

Online: Eventbrite, register here.
In Person (cash, check or money order only): Levy County Extension Office,
625 North Hathaway Avenue, Bronson
By Mail:
Make checks payable to University of Florida
Memo: Florida First Detector
Mail to: PO Box 219, Bronson, FL 32621

Questions? Give me a call, 352-486-5131. Until next time — Happy Gardening!