UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Scouting Training Series

Scouting Training Series (July 30, August 6, and August 13)

Join us for a 3-day training series focused on scouting, integrated pest management (IPM), and diagnostic skills for plant production systems in Florida. This hands-on training is designed for growers, nursery and greenhouse employees, landscapers, and other agricultural professionals interested in improving their ability to detect and diagnose plant problems early.

While much of the training will be geared toward ornamental and nursery production systems, the concepts discussed will be broadly applicable to many plant production settings and industries.

Participants will learn practical scouting strategies for insects, diseases, weeds, abiotic disorders, and other common production issues through presentations, discussion, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and nursery scouting experiences.

Training sessions will be held from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM and will include lecture/demonstration blocks, discussion, lunch, and hands-on nursery scouting activities.

Tentative topics may include:

• Introduction to IPM and scouting
• Insect pests, beneficials, and monitoring strategies
• Scouting methods and diagnostic thinking
• Plant diseases and abiotic disorders
• pH, EC, water quality, and growing media basics
• Weed identification and management
• Diagnostic sample collection and submission procedures
• Hands-on scouting and monitoring activities

Classes and activities will be led by UF/IFAS Extension faculty and collaborators with expertise in plant production, diagnostics, and pest management.

July 30th – Day 1: Scouting Foundations
• Introduction to IPM and scouting
• Insect pests and beneficials
• Scouting strategies and monitoring tools

August 6th – Day 2: Plant Health and Production Issues
• Plant diseases and diagnostic thinking
• Abiotic and environmental disorders
• pH, EC, water quality, and growing media basics

August13th – Day 3: Diagnostics and Problem Solving
• Weed identification and management
• Diagnostic sample collection and submission
• Problem-solving exercises and hands-on activities

*Topics and schedule are subject to change based on instructor availability and participant needs.