CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 10/28/04

A good idea: certified landscape professionals

By Tony Johnson
University of Georgia

The accountants, physicians, architects and engineers we rely on when we want the best are all certified. It only makes sense to turn to a certified landscape professional to plant or maintain your landscape.

Your landscape, after all, is a big investment. And it raises the value of your property. Fortunately, Georgia now has a number of certified landscape professionals through the Georgia Certified Landscape Professional program.

The GCLP is endorsed and sponsored by the Georgia Green Industry Association, Metro Atlanta Landscape and Turf Association and Georgia Turfgrass Association. It's run by the University of Georgia Center for Urban Agriculture in Griffin, Ga.

Twice a year, landscapers enrolled in the GCLP come to Griffin to the UGA Research and Education Garden, where they're tested on their skills in landscape practices and plant selection.

Making the grade

If they pass these tests, they become certified landscape technicians. To become certified landscape professionals, they must pass written exams, too, on landscape management, installation and pest diagnosis.

But the learning doesn't stop there. Each CLP is required to become recertified every three years, mainly through trade shows, workshops, seminars and other educational programs.

Earning these credentials identifies them as the best in their profession. A homeowner who hires a CLP is choosing someone who has a working knowledge and mastery of all aspects of landscape management.

All CLPs are tested on using landscape design plans, selecting plants for landscape conditions, identifying plants and properly planting and caring for landscape plants. They must be competent in identifying and diagnosing pests, applying pesticides, using equipment and evaluating installation and maintenance jobs.

Testing covers the best management practices, too, for reducing nonpoint-source pollutants from home landscapes and for water conservation in landscape systems.

Find a CLP

There are now 125 CLPs in Georgia. They're scattered from Blairsville to Augusta to Tybee Island to Tifton. Most are in or near Metro Atlanta. Another 300 landscape professionals, however, are registered for the program and are now testing to become certified.

If you want a CLP for your landscape needs, check the listing on the "Georgia Certified Landscape Professional Program" Web site at www.ces.uga.edu/GCLPP.htm.

The same site provides contact information for landscapers who want to become certified and join the ranks of the best of their profession.

(Tony Johnson is the Research and Education Garden horticulturist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.)

Tony Johnson is the Research and Education Garden horticulturist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Experts/Sources:
Tony Johnson
University and state leaders cut the ribbon during the Science and Ag Hill dedication ceremony. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA) CAES News
UGA dedicates first phase of Science and Ag Hill modernization 11/01/24
The University of Georgia held a dedication ceremony on Oct. 30 to celebrate the completion of the first phase of renovations to modernize research and instruction facilities and infrastructure on UGA’s Science and Ag Hill. This area of campus, located just south of Sanford Stadium, includes buildings dedicated to a variety of scientific disciplines such as biology, physics, geology and agricultural sciences.
CAES doctoral students Sofia Varriano and Leniha Lagarde follow farmer Clay Brady to the pasture where many of his chickens are kept. CAES News
UGA researchers study how free-range chickens influence farm sustainability 10/31/24 Maria M. Lameiras
Researchers in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are studying how pastured and free-range chickens impact ecosystems on integrated crop-livestock farms. Supported by a $749,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, entomology doctoral student Sofia Varriano and her thesis advisor, agroecologist and systems biology Professor Bill Snyder, are testing the promise of integrated crop-livestock agriculture to increase the sustainability of smaller farms.
Kaytlyn Cobb is now spearheading a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm as regional assistant director. CAES News
Kaytlyn Cobb joins UGA Grand Farm to boost agricultural innovation in Georgia 10/30/24 Sean Montgomery
Growing up in north Georgia’s Franklin County, Kaytlyn Cobb knew her aspirations in agriculture would always lead her to new opportunities. Inspired by her dedicated community and diverse background, Cobb is now spearheading a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm as regional assistant director. Hired in August, Cobb hit the ground running to continue development of the fast-forming ecosystem between Grand Farm, the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and global strategic partners.
Kevan Lamm teaching undergraduate students CAES News
CAES researchers prepare students to address complex challenges of the future 10/29/24 Emily Cabrera
Over the next three years, researchers in the University of Georgia’s Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication aim to transform undergraduate education in agricultural and environmental sciences by integrating systems thinking — an approach that encourages students to see the bigger picture by understanding how different components within a system interact.
Thermal imaging technology could improve the production of fruits and vegetables. CAES News
Thermal imaging may help fruits, veggies stay fresher longer 10/28/24 Savannah Peat
Before your favorite produce arrives at the grocery store, it must be carefully harvested and maintained across long stretches of time. A recent University of Georgia review suggests new temperature measuring technologies could make that process much simpler, amid growing agricultural challenges fueled by fluctuating climates. Maintaining temperature, humidity and light is critical to ensuring fruits and vegetables don’t spoil or deteriorate rapidly. Temperature spikes are the root of adverse outcomes, so monitoring these changes quickly and accurately is key.
At the 2024 Georgia Life Sciences Summit held Oct. 21-22 in Atlanta, Professor Quingguo “Jack” Huang of the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences received the Golden Helix Innovation Award for his research in technologies to mitigate “forever chemicals” in water resources. (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker) CAES News
Georgia Bio awards recognize UGA inventor, corporate partners 10/25/24 Carson McAfee
University of Georgia Professor Quingguo “Jack” Huang, Delta Innovation Hub resident Dalan Animal Health, and Athens manufacturer Meissner Corporation were recognized for their achievements in the life science industry at Georgia Bio’s Georgia Life Sciences Summit, held Oct. 21-22 in Atlanta. The Golden Helix Awards celebrate the contributions of Georgia legislative, academic, corporate, and advocacy leaders working to grow the life science industry and foster strategic partnerships that create a healthier world.