UF Greenhouse Training Online offers new courses on PGRs, cuttings, stock plants

The award-winning program Greenhouse Training Online from University of Florida IFAS Extension (UF/IFAS) has launched new courses for 2026.

Courses are taught in English and Spanish, with over 6,800 greenhouse and nursery growers trained from all parts of the world.

New courses include Plant Growth Regulators by Garrett Owen (The Ohio State University) and Cuttings and Stock Plant Management by Jim Faust (Clemson University) and Dr. John Dole (North Carolina State University).

“Greenhouse and Nursery 101” has new material on container nursery production with Jeb Fields from UF/IFAS. This popular course is now offered twice a year (in May-June 2026 and January-February 2027).

A new Elite Grower program bundles five courses from the following options: "Greenhouse and Nursery 101," "Climate Management," "Costing & Profitability," "Cuttings & Stock Plant Management," "Plant Growth Regulators," "Success with your Latino Workforce" and "Greenhouse and Horticultural Lighting." The Elite Grower program is in addition to the university's existing Root Zone Expert and Plant Health Professional programs.

Professional Irrigator Train the Trainer now includes six short “lunch and learn” modules (one video, one hands-on activity, all in English and Spanish) for growers to train their staff on how to water. This is available at backpocketgrower.org/training under “Professional Irrigator.”

The 15 courses are spread throughout the year starting with Nutrient Management 1 (Intro) on March 2. The courses include:

Growers average an 80% completion rate. Each course is completely online and includes pre-recorded videos, an interactive discussion board with Ph.D. professors, resources and quizzes.

Course material is available any time of the day, with two new modules added each week over the four weeks of each course, for a total of eight learning modules.

Experienced university instructors are available to help, and graduates receive a personalized certificate of completion from UF/IFAS. There are courses for every level of knowledge and experience. To register, visit hos.ifas.ufl.edu/training.

A 20% discount when completing five or more registrations is also available. For more information, email  greenhousetraining@ifas.ufl.edu.