Category: Agribusiness

A field of squash, with leaves and blossoms.

Sustainable Agriculture Grants and Reports for Producers


November 7, 2025

The Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) program provides technical and financial resources for growers nationwide, including here in Martin County. A few years ago, I was able to meet a couple of producers who made good use ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Farm Management, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Commercial Horticulture Digest, Martin County, Small Farms, Smallfarms, Small_farms, UF/IFAS Extension
A few remaining orchids hang from a shadehouse.

Short-term Hurricane Preparation for Commercial Nurseries


June 27, 2025

As our oceans warm, hurricanes are becoming more intense and slower-moving, resulting in greater potential damage from heavy winds and flooding. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Southeast Climate Hub developed a series of guides specifically ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Disaster Preparation, Farm Management, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Commercial Horticulture Digest, Disaster, Disaster Preparation, Green Industry, Hurricane, Hurricane Preparedness, Martin County, Safety, Storms, UF/IFAS Extension
Extension faculty in the field installing a soil moisture sensor in a vegetable crop

Soil Moisture Sensor Loaner-Trainer Program


February 8, 2023

Why use soil moisture sensors? Farmers have to carefully manage water supply for their crops. Too much or too little irrigation can damage or stress the crop, making it more vulnerable to weed competition, insect pests, and/or disease. Additionally, ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Farm Management, Water
Tags: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Best Management Practices, Commercial Horticulture Digest, Environment, Irrigation, Martin County, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Mango orchard, with flooded swales and leaning trees after Hurricane Ian

A Survey of Hurricane Ian Impacts to Martin County Agriculture


October 3, 2022

This report summarizes the damage I observed and discussed with Martin County farmers and nursery growers during site visits and phone calls on September 30, 2022. Overall, the agribusinesses I heard from said the impacts, if they had any, were ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Disaster Preparation, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Commercial Horticulture Digest, Hurricane, Hurricane Ian, Martin County, UF/IFAS Extension
backpack sprayer next to ornamental bed

Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance Licensing


September 12, 2022

One of the licenses I often get questions about is the Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance (LCLM) certificate. It's a good license to have for a commercial (for-hire) landscaper who wants to offer basic chemical pest control for clients. ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: Commercial Horticulture Digest, Green Industry, Martin County, Pesticides, UF/IFAS Extension
a residential landscape

Hiring a Pesticide/Herbicide or Fertilizer Applicator: Choose Licensed


August 18, 2022

Why Choose Licensed? Did you know that the person you hire to apply fertilizers or pesticides (including herbicides) must be licensed in the state of Florida? Pesticide and fertilizer applicators must be licensed. Per Chapter 482 of the ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Agribusiness, Commercial Horticulture Digest, Florida Friendly Landscaping, Green Industry, Licensing, Martin County, UF/IFAS Extension
Pond shoreline with colorful flowers and vegetation.

Landscape Professionals: Add “Florida-Friendly” to your resume


January 28, 2022

Many of the landscape professionals I've spoken with have shared that they value licensing and certifications. Expanding their professional qualifications allows them to stand out as a leader in their field, earn the respect of their peers and ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Agribusiness, Commercial Horticulture Digest, Environment, Featured, Green Industry, Horticulture, Indian River Lagoon, Martin County, Special Topics, UF/IFAS Extension
green industry professional pruning shrubs; shows the work of green industry professionals

Licensing & Certification for the Green Industry Professional


January 19, 2022

Green industry professionals work on residential and commercial landscapes, in garden centers and production nurseries, and more. The work can be varied and involve specialized skills in pruning, mowing, irrigation maintenance/installation, ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Agribusiness, Commercial Horticulture Digest, Florida Friendly Landscaping, Green Industry, Martin County, Pesticides, UF/IFAS Extension
landscaper planting/weeding. Article discusses the value of licensing and certifications for professional landscapers

Homeowners value licensed/certified green industry professionals


September 24, 2021

In 2020, UF/IFAS Extension Martin County recruited homeowners and homeowners’ associations (HOA’s) to participate in a survey of their preferences for licensed/certified green industry professionals. We found that many respondents valued ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Agribusiness, Commercial Horticulture Digest, Florida Friendly Landscaping, GIBMP, Green Industry, Martin County, Pesticides, UF/IFAS Extension
Farmworkers harvesting food crop in Martin County.

Seguro Médico para Agricultores y Trabajadores Agrícolas


February 24, 2021

Este artículo analiza algunas de las razones por las que los agricultores y los trabajadores agrícolas podrían beneficiarse especialmente de las oportunidades de obtener cobertura de seguro médico. Hasta el 15 de mayo de 2021, el seguro ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Disaster Preparation, Farm Management, Health & Nutrition, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Commercial Horticulture Digest, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Green Industry, Martin County, Safety, UF/IFAS Extension, Worker

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