The award-winning Greenhouse Training Online program from University of Florida IFAS Extension (UF/IFAS) has launched new courses for 2026. Courses are taught in English and Spanish, and more than 6,800 greenhouse and nursery growers from around the world have participated in the program.
New offerings for 2026 include Plant Growth Regulators, taught by Dr. Garrett Owen from The Ohio State University, and Cuttings and Stock Plant Management, taught by Dr. Jim Faust from Clemson University and Dr. John Dole from North Carolina State University. These courses expand the program's advanced technical training options.
The popular "Greenhouse and Nursery 101" course now includes new material on container nursery production, developed by Dr. Jeb Fields from UF/IFAS. Due to strong demand, this course will be offered twice a year, running from May to June 2026 and again from January to February 2027.
A new Elite Grower program has also been introduced. This program bundles seven courses, including Greenhouse and Nursery 101, Climate Management, Costing and Profitability, Cuttings and Stock Plant Management, Plant Growth Regulators, Success with your Latino Workforce, and Greenhouse and Horticultural Lighting. The Elite Grower program complements the existing Root Zone Expert and Plant Health Professional programs.
The Professional Irrigator Train the Trainer course has been updated to include six short "lunch and learn" modules. Each module includes one video and one hands-on activity and is available in both English and Spanish. These materials are designed to help growers train their staff on proper watering practices and are available at the link here under "Professional Irrigator."
A total of 15 courses are offered throughout the year, beginning with Nutrient Management 1 (Intro) on March 2, 2026. Nutrient Management 1 runs from March 2 to March 27, followed by Practical Disease Management from March 30 to April 24. Climate Management is offered from April 13 to May 11, and Greenhouse and Nursery 101 runs from May 25 to June 19. Substrates for Container-Grown Plants takes place from June 1 to June 26, followed by Water Quality and Treatment from July 6 to July 31.
Advanced Irrigation Management is scheduled from August 3 to August 28, and the new Cuttings and Stock Plant Management course runs from August 17 to September 18. Weed Management is offered from September 7 to October 2. Nutrient Management 2 (Advanced) and the new Plant Growth Regulators course both run from September 28 to October 30. Field Diagnosis of Plant Diseases and Success with your Latino Workforce are offered from November 2 to December 4. Greenhouse and Nursery 101 is offered again from January 11 to February 5, 2027. The Professional Irrigator Train the Trainer course is available on demand at any time, while the next Costing and Profitability course is planned for 2027. Most courses are priced at $293, with the Professional Irrigator Train the Trainer course offered at $103.
Growers in the program average an 80 percent completion rate. Participant feedback highlights the program's accessibility and practical value, noting that it provides a foundation for professional growth, is well crafted by growers for growers, and delivers knowledge that can be applied immediately.
Each course is fully online and includes pre-recorded videos, an interactive discussion board with PhD professors, curated resources, and quizzes. Course material is available at any time of day, with two new modules released each week over a four-week period, for a total of eight learning modules per course. Experienced university instructors are available for support, and graduates receive a personalized certificate of completion from UF/IFAS. Courses are available for all levels of knowledge and experience.
If you wish to register, you can do so by clicking the link here.
For more information:
UF/IFAS
www.ifas.ufl.edu
