-  New pests and diseaes in South and Central Florida
-  Fertilizing trees and shrus plus field demonstrtion
-  How to assess and improve the growing capacity of landscape soils
-  Prepare to get your hands dirty: learn soil analysis in the field
-  Learn to recognize and diagnose abiotic damage to trees
-  Field lab: diagnosing disease in trees
-  Identifying and treating pests of trees and shrubs plus field demonstration

Dr. A.D. Ali (in Sarasota) has over 25 years’ experience in the Green Industry. Currently as a Senior Scientist within the Technical Services group at the Davey Institute, he provides technical support to Davey, conducts applied research, writes technical reports and is an Instructor in the Davey Institute’s arboriculture and lawn care courses.  He also provides Horticultural Sciences consulting services including Plant Health Care seminars, plant problem diagnosis and landscape management. Dr. Ali is an Adjunct Professor at Hodges University and is a Board Certified Master Arborist.

Dr. Stephanie Bledsoe (in Fort Lauderdale) is a Florida native with 20+ years in the green industry, starting with owning a landscaping company in 1990.  She earned a B.S. in microbiology in 1999 and a Doctorate of Plant Medicine in 2004 from the University of Florida.  This degree track expanded her practical experience with a broad knowledge of plant physiology, pathology, entomology, nematology, nutrition, soil science, fertilizers and pesticides.  Stephanie started a consulting firm, PHC Professionals, Inc. in 2010 to offer comprehensive plant health consultation including diagnosis of tree, turf and shrub disorders, prescriptive and custom agronomic programs, expert witness and professional training services to multiple sectors in the green industry.

Norm Easey received his bachelor’s degree in Forestry/Resource Management in 1980 from the University of Wisconsin.  He has been an active member of ISA for 26 years and is currently the Executive Director of the Florida Chapter ISA.   He also has a part-time urban forestry consulting practice.  He was the Forestry Manager for Sarasota County, Florida for 18 years.  Mr. Easey is a long-standing member of the Society of Municipal Arborists and is a past Chairman of the FUFC.

Paul Mitola has worked for several pest management companies, owned a pest management business and served as a branch manager for York Distributors. He worked as a pest manager for the University of Florida on a research farm, main campus and two hospitals. Paul has been with the state of Florida since 2003. He strives to educate the industry to avoid liabilities and litigation, and at the same time help consumers get what they pay for and protect them from illegal operators.

Dr. Jason Smith is assistant professor of forest pathology in the School of Forest Resources and Conservation at the University of Florida. Jason conducts research and extension programs on diseases of trees and forest health. His research includes disease diagnosis, biology/epidemiology and developing disease-resistant trees.  Before coming to Florida in 2006, Jason was a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Minnesota.