As part of the Green Industry Continuing Education Series, University of Nevada, Reno Extension is offering a series of 10 entry-level classes for those wishing to become Nursery Worker Certified. The workshops will include current, research-based information on topics important to green-industry professionals, including landscapers, nursery workers and groundskeepers.

The workshops will be offered 9 a.m. – noon, every Tuesday and Thursday, Jan. 23 – Feb. 22 at the Washoe County office of University of Nevada, Reno Extension, 4955 Energy Way in Reno. An optional exam will be given Feb. 27. Classes are taught by Extension experts, Nevada Department of Agriculture staff and local industry professionals. Topics are intended to be useful to both those who are new to the industry and those who are looking to continue their education in the field and include:

• 23: Garden Center Basics, Wendy Hanson Mazet, Extension
• 25: Soils and Nutrients Management, Heidi Kratsch, Extension
• 30: Sustainable Turfgrass Management, Wendy Hanson Mazet, Extension
• 1: Plant Disease Basics, Shouhua Wang, Nevada Department of Agriculture
• 6: Pruning Landscape Plants, Leslie Lyles, Stewardship Horticultural
• 8: Noxious Weeds and Weed Law, Andrea Moe and others, Nevada Department of Agriculture
• 13: Insect Identification, Jeff Knight, Nevada Department of Agriculture
• 15: Landscape Diagnostics, Wendy Hanson Mazet, Extension
• 20: IPM and Pesticide Safety, Carrie Jensen, Extension
• 22: Water Management, Heidi Kratsch, Extension
• 27: Nursery Worker Certification Exam (optional)

International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), Pesticide Safety and Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) may be available for attending some of the classes. Cost for individual classes is $20 per class, or participants may enroll in the entire series for a discounted cost of $95. Organizations enrolling two to five employees for the full course are offered a reduced price of $80 per student. The cost is further reduced to $70 per student when six or more employees from the same firm are registered.

Registration can be done online at Eventbrite. The deadline to register for classes is Jan. 19.

Fees include course materials, certificates of attendance, and Continuing Education Units. Course fees also support Green Industry Continuing Education Series classes, which are held year-round as needed. 

For more information on classes or certification, email Megan Andrews.

Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should email Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, or call him at 702-257-5577, at least five days prior to the scheduled event with their needs or for more information.