Education / Certifications:

• Certified Crop Advisor, American Society of Agronomy, 2005
• Doctor of Plant Medicine Degree, University of Florida, 2004. Interdisciplinary graduate degree with a curriculum consisting of courses and internships in Plant Science, Soil Science, Entomology, Nematology, Plant Pathology –
  www.dpm.ifas.ufl.edu.
• Bachelor of Science – General Horticulture, University of Florida, 1999.

Dr. Garces is a full-time, tenured Professor and the Program Chair for the Plant Science and Agricultural Technology program at Valencia College. He has taught the following courses: Environmental Science, Intro to Plant Science, Intro to Sustainable Agriculture, Greenhouse Operations & Management, Plant Pathology, Plant Physiology, Plant Propagation, Principles of Hydroponics, and Types & Systems of Agricultural Operations. The Plant Science program at Valencia is responsible for an on-campus greenhouse, an aquaponic system, vertical towers, box gardens, a permaculture demonstration area, and an in-ground production area.

A Miami, FL native, Dr. Garces graduated from the University of Florida where he obtained a B.S. in General Horticulture and a Doctor of Plant Medicine degree. Prior to Valencia College, Dr. Garces worked as a Plant Health Specialist for a nursery operation that had two farms (approximately 1800 acres of production) specializing in woody ornamental plant production. A farmer at heart, he likes to keep one foot in agriculture by visiting farms and nurseries to consult with farmers on how to better grow their crops. He has been mainly with Treadwell Farms since 2018 as a crop consultant, providing weekly recommendations on growing practices.