Florida Local Horticulture Professional Earns Certification

Mark Templeton of Crawford Landscaping in Naples, Fla., is a member of a group of professionals who are Certified Horticulture Professionals.

This designation was earned by Templeton after passing an exam that measures horticulture knowledge and professional skills through a 4 part exam covering plant identification, disease and insect control, landscape design/management and proper irrigation.

Established by the Florida Nursery, Growers, & Landscape Association Certified Horticulture Professional program has been administered since the mid-80s. The program was designed to increase professionalism among Florida's growers, landscape professionals and retail employees. This is the industry's only standard for measuring horticultural knowledge and has been recognized by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and all five water management districts. The program builds upon Florida Green Industries Best Management Practices and Florida friendly principles.