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Three Maui Landscapers Earn IPM Certificates |
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From the
Winter 2006 MALP Newsletter
By:
Norman Nagata, University of Hawaii Extension Agent
Today, landscaping is a very prosperous business that's in
great demand. Many workers in this industry earn wages
that are competitive or more than other skilled trades (e.g.,
mechanics, carpenters, electricians). It's not uncommon
for homeowners to pay a landscape maintenance worker
$50 or more per visit to basically mow and blow their
yard, which may take as little time as thirty minutes.
With these attractive salaries, more people are getting
into landscape design, installation, and maintenance.
The cost to start a landscape company is relatively inexpensive.
For less than $1,000 worth of equipment and a
pickup truck, almost anyone can start a landscape business
and find work immediately.
However, is the industry hurting itself with so many
people going into landscaping with very little knowledge,
training, and experience in this area? Will they be able
to provide the quality of work, make correct horticultural
decisions, know how to deal with plant problems, and
provide professionalism to their clients?
A true professional should be committed to provide the
very best service to their customers. As new information
and technology evolve, it becomes necessary that these
people continually improve themselves professionally
through education. This often occurs in the technical
skill trades, as well as in the medical, dental, legal, business,
and educational professions.
Fortunately, there are many opportunities for landscapers
on Maui to improve their knowledge, skills, and
to network with each other. The Maui Association of
Landscape Professionals (MALP) is an organization that
people can join whose mission is to "exemplify leadership
by offering education
to its membership,
the industry, and the
community." MALP
has recognized the need
to improve their industry
by co-sponsoring
the Landscape Industry
Council of Hawaii's
"Certified Landscape
Technician" program
to provide training and
certification in the technical aspects
of landscaping such as irrigation, planting, pesticide use,
and equipment handling and safety. You can contact or
learn more about MALP by visiting their new website at
www.malp.org. Landscapers can also take classes and
seminars at Maui Community College on various horticultural
subjects.
The University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service
(UH-CES) conducts research projects to help solve
problems that affect the landscape and golf course industries
and provides educational seminars, classes, and
field days for these people. Programs that are delivered
by CES are based on the needs or requests from those
involved in these industries.
For example, surveys conducted by CES have indicated
that insects and diseases were the most important
issues for these industries. To help address this concern,
an "Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Landscape Advisor
Program" was developed and
presented from August to November
2005 to a maximum enrollment
of twenty-four
people. Topics covered
were introduction
to IPM, plant diseases,
insects, weeds, plant
diagnosis, pesticides
and other control measures,
sprayer/spreader
calibration, and environmental
protection.
Students could earn a "Certificate of Recognition" from
the University of Hawaii by passing the program with an
80% grade. They may also renew their certificate annually
by obtaining an additional six credit hours of instruction.
The three people that completed the rigors of this
program have demonstrated their ability to provide professional
advice to clients on pest and disease issues in
the landscape. Congratulations go out to Allison Wright
and Tracy Bos of Island Plant Company and to Donna
Mann (Right Plant, Right Place) for being awarded the
"2005-2006 IPM Landscape Advisor
Certificate. Donna Mann has also
successful renewed her certificate for
2006-2007.
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