By Andi Anderson
Michigan State University Extension is now accepting registrations for its award-winning online course, "Biological Control for Greenhouse Growers," available in both English and Spanish.
The course, developed in collaboration with Kansas State University Extension, begins on December 1 and will run through March 15, 2025, providing a flexible, self-paced learning opportunity for greenhouse growers and professionals interested in biological pest control methods.
This course is designed to introduce participants to biological control systems, covering everything from foundational concepts to advanced topics like using banker plants.
Offered at $129, the course includes four hours of pre-recorded lectures divided into six units, making it suitable for both newcomers and experienced growers.
Key topics include an overview of biological control challenges, an introduction to commercially available agents, and factors to consider when building a successful pest management program.
Units one and two provide an introduction to the benefits and challenges of biological control, how these systems work, and an overview of available control agents. Units three and four delve into common banker plant systems and the importance of quality control.
The final two units explore how to integrate pesticides with biological control methods and showcase examples of real-life biological control programs used by growers.
The course, taught by MSU’s Heidi Lindberg with video contributions from Raymond Cloyd of Kansas State University Extension, offers interactive quizzes, additional resources, and pre- and post-tests to assess knowledge gained.
Completion of the course counts towards MSU’s Plant Health Professional Certificate Program, a collaborative certification developed with the University of Florida IFAS for greenhouse and controlled environment industry professionals.
For the 2024-2025 session, three scholarships are available to cover the course fee for participants facing financial barriers.
Applicants can write a short paragraph explaining their interest and how the course will benefit their professional goals. Winners will pay a reduced fee of $39.99. Additionally, all U.S. residents who complete the course requirements will be entered into a drawing for a $75 gift card.
Registration is open until January 1, 2025. For more information or to enroll, visit the Biological Control for Greenhouse Growers page on MSU Extension’s website.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu-extension
Categories: Michigan, Education