Early detection is one of the most important (but often overlooked) parts of plant health management. Whether managing insects, plant diseases, weeds, nutrient issues, irrigation problems, or environmental stress, the ability to scout effectively and recognize problems early can improve decision-making and reduce losses.
This summer, UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County is launching a Scouting Training Series, a hands-on, three-part program focused on scouting, integrated pest management (IPM), diagnostics, and plant health problem-solving for Florida plant production systems.
The training is designed primarily for commercial growers, nursery and greenhouse employees, landscapers, pest management professionals, and others working in plant production or plant health management. While much of the discussion will center around ornamental and nursery production systems, many of the concepts covered will be broadly applicable across horticultural and agricultural industries.
Training Details
Dates: July 30, August 6, and August 13
Time: 9-4
Locations:
- July 30 and August 6: Kendrick Auditorium, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL 34221
- August 13: Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC), 14625 County Road 672, Wimauma, FL 33598
Cost: $199 (includes all three training days)
CEUs: Pesticide and FNGLA CEUs will be available.
Registration: https://manatee-scouting-training.eventbrite.com
Supporting Florida’s Green Industry
Ornamental horticulture and the broader green industry remain important drivers of Florida and Manatee County’s economy. In Manatee County, nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod production generated more than $91 million in sales in 2022, ranking second among local agricultural sectors2.
Statewide, Florida’s green industry contributes an estimated $41.9 billion in total economic impact and supports more than 279,000 jobs1. Growers face ongoing challenges related to pests, diseases, water quality, labor, and environmental conditions. Practical, hands-on training that strengthens scouting, diagnostic thinking, and plant health management remains an important way to support the long-term success of Florida agriculture.
What Is This Training About?
This training is designed to help participants strengthen practical scouting and diagnostic skills used in real-world production settings.
Participants will learn a mixture of identification of common problems as well as how to think through plant issues, recognize patterns, gather useful observations, and make informed management decisions. The training will also create opportunities for discussion and shared learning between instructors and participants.
Successful management often begins with observation, learning what to look for, where to look, and how to recognize problems before they become severe.
Participants can expect a mix of:
- Presentations and discussion
- Hands-on demonstrations
- Practical scouting activities
- Diagnostic exercises and plant problem-solving
Presenters will include a combination of UF/IFAS Extension faculty from across the state as well as University of Florida specialists with expertise in plant health, diagnostics, pest management, production systems, and related topics.
Training Topics
Topics will include:
- Integrated pest management (IPM) and scouting principles
- Insect pests, beneficial insects, and monitoring strategies
- Plant diseases and diagnostic thinking
- Weed identification and management
- Abiotic and environmental disorders
- Water quality, pH, EC, and substrate concepts
- Diagnostic sample collection and submission procedures
- Plant problem-solving and case studies
A Practical, Hands-On Approach
One goal of this training is to combine classroom-style learning with practical, hands-on application. Participants will have opportunities to strengthen scouting, observation, and diagnostic thinking skills through demonstrations and activities designed around real-world plant production situations.
Register or Learn More
Registration is available through Eventbrite: https://manatee-scouting-training.eventbrite.com
Questions? Contact:
Caitlin Sollazzo
Commercial Horticulture Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County
sollazzocaitlin@ufl.edu
(941) 722-4524 ext. 1814
References:
- Farm Credit of Central Florida & Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association. (2025). Economic impact of Florida’s green industry.
- US. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service. (2022). 2022 Census of agriculture county profile: Manatee County, Florida. https://www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus/
Interested in future trainings and production updates? Subscribe to Growing Success, the Commercial Horticulture newsletter from UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County.
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