ASHS 2025 Conference

Florida’s massive environmental horticulture industry generates over $10 billion annually and employs over 100,000 individuals, with 33% identifying as Hispanic/Latino. The landscaping sector plays a crucial role in this industry, yet many positions lack formal certification, leaving training dependent on in-house instruction that varies in quality. Teaching Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to landscape professionals often involves navigating language barriers, varying levels of formal education, and limited training time. To address these challenges, a team of UF/IFAS Extension agents secured a USDA-NIFA IPM Extension grant in 2021 and developed a bilingual (English/Spanish) landscape reference booklet rooted in the principles of cognitive load theory and adult learning. Grounded in the KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) model, the booklet emphasizes clarity, brevity, and relevance—hallmarks of effective educational design for working adults. The tool features simple language, annotated photographs, and minimal text to reduce extraneous cognitive load and enhance information retention. Visual cues and side-by-side translations support dual coding and help bridge comprehension gaps. Finally, the booklet is pocket-sized and waterproof allowing for in-field deployment. Since its April 2024 publication, the booklet has reached a wide audience, with 366 copies distributed through Extension outreach of which 216 were distributed after a 1 – 2-hour class in English or Spanish on the topic. Its impact became evident as 164 individuals completed Qualtrics post-class surveys, with 99% (162) planning to use the information in their home landscapes and 63% (103) intending to apply practices on the job—44% (72) of whom believed the booklet would directly support BMP adoption among multilingual teams. Post-class surveys reported 80% (131) increased BMP knowledge. A 3–6-month follow-up survey confirmed sustained impact, as 85% of respondents (41 of 48) reported applying the information, and at least 83% (40) implemented one or more BMPs. Beyond its educational success, the booklet has gained traction within the industry. The UF/IFAS Bookstore sold 100 copies, generating $1,600 in revenue, while Extension Agents and industry trainers have formally adopted it as a standardized training tool. By starting with the basics and addressing language barriers, this initiative is empowering Florida’s landscaping workforce, fostering sustainability, and synergizing resilience. This project demonstrates how applying the science of simplicity can increase the effectiveness of Extension materials, particularly for linguistically diverse audiences. The format is easily replicable, adaptable to other horticulture topics, and well-suited for Extension’s fast-paced, field-based educational environments.