Improving the Green Industry
Delaware Standards, Programs & Certifications
- Certified Nursery Professional Exam
- DE Horticultural Business Mentors Program
- Delaware Nutrient Management Program
- Pesticide Certification
Prepare for the next Certified Nursery Professional Exam on October 22, 2008
At the Department of Agriculture, Dover, DE
For more information call:
Val Budischak at the DNLA
(888) 448-1203
Download the Names of Delaware Certified Nursery Professionals / Application / Training Manual Order Form / Program Details, all documents are in PDF format.
DE Horticultural Business Mentors Program
The University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, in part through a grant from the Delaware Nursery & Landscape Association, is piloting a program to help new startup horticultural businesses with business planning by offering the advice and assistance of retired green industry business professionals. To date twenty-three clients have been paired with nine mentors.
Mentors are current and former owners/operators with expertise in greenhouse production, lawn care, irrigation, and landscaping. Almost all the mentors have been in the horticultural business for over 20 years.
Of note... more mentors are always needed. This is a great opportunity to share your past experiences while ensuring another's success!
Download DE Horticultural Business Mentors Program Brochure in PDF format.
The Delaware Nutrient Management Program was established in June 1999 as a result of the Delaware Nutrient Management Law.
Individuals must be duly certified by the Nutrient Management Program if they:
- apply nutrients to 10 acres or greater,
- operate an animal feeding operation of 8 Animal Units or greater,
- apply nutrients to lands as a component of a commercial or agriculture business in exchange for a fee or service charge -or-
- advise or consult with persons as part of the development of a Nutrient Management Plan.
In order to maintain certification, the certification holder must successfully complete continuing education courses prior to the expiration date identified on the certification card. The continuing education course must be approved by the Nutrient Management Program prior to the start of the program. Many of the Delaware Nursery & Landscape Association's educational events are awarded Nutrient Management CEU's.
For detailed information on the minimum requirements for initial certification and maintaining certification, click here.
Pesticide Certification
Anyone buying or using a restricted use pesticide must be certified by the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA).
Anyone in the business of applying pesticides, either restricted use or general use to the land or property of another must be certified and obtain a Pesticide Business License from the Delaware Department of Agriculture.
Visit Pesiticide Compliance for additional information regarding certification, exam schedule, or to obtain a Delaware Pesticide Applicator training manual.
Pesticide Recertification
Your Delaware certification is good for 3 years. Then you must demonstrate that you have kept up with changes. You can do this by either retaking the exam or collecting the required numbers of recertification hours.
Private Applicators need 3 recertification hours every 3 years. The recertification hours needed for Commercial Applicators varies by applicator category. Ornamental & Turf recertification credits can be obtained by attending the educational events sponsored by the Delaware Nursery & Landscape Association. Contact the DNLA or the Department of Agriculture for additional categories offered. For additional information concerning pesticide recertification, click here
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