Ganga Bhatt

              Ganga Bhatt

(469) 347-0107 | ganga.bhatt@ufl.edu | Greenacres, FL | linkedin.com/in/ganga-bhatt

Professional Summary

Strategic horticulture and agribusiness professional with 4+ years of experience in horticulture industry. Proven success in precision crop management, integrated pest management (IPM), and production optimization using both biological and chemical strategies. Bilingual (English/Spanish) leader skilled in team training, data-driven decision-making, and stakeholder communication. Passionate about applying agricultural technology and sustainability principles to drive productivity and profitability.

Education

Master of Science in Agribusiness (Concentration: Agricultural Technology) Expected 2026 University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (GPA 4.0)

Bachelor of Science in Horticulture (Minor: Agribusiness Entrepreneurship) 2022 Texas A&M University (TAMU), College Station, Texas (GPA 3.9)

Professional Experiences

Head Grower and IPM Specialist Sep 2023 - Present

Country Joe’s Nursery, Lake Worth, Florida 33449

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Designed and led an IPM program across 45 acres, improving health of 45+ tropical foliage species

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Managed procurement and inventory of soil, fertilizers, and pesticides to ensure timely production.

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Conducted crop management trials using herbicides, fertilizers, and new varieties to enhance performance.

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Trained spray technicians in scouting, application techniques, and safe equipment use.

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Reduced labor and improved weed control through structured herbicide strategies.

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Built relationships with local growers and buyers, providing crop updates and addressing plant health concerns.

Grower and Crop Protection Specialist Jan 2023 - Sep 2023

Walnut Creek Farms, Alvarado, Texas 76009

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Oversaw hydroponic tomato and cucumber production in greenhouses and managed open-field cultivation of squash, zucchini, cantaloupe, and watermelons.

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Implemented IPM practices across all production areas to reduce chemical use and improve crop health.

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Supported marketing and sales by providing technical insights to highlight crop quality and attract buyers.

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Led safety and training sessions, ensuring regulatory compliance and efficient operations.

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Assisted in greenhouse and irrigation system setup, maintenance, and repairs.

Research Assistant Aug 2020 - Jan 2023

Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843

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Assisted in all stages of potato breeding: pollination, seed collection, planting, data analysis, and harvesting.

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Performed virus detection (ELISA, PCR) and contributed to tissue culture and mini-tuber propagation.

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Supported field trials and laboratory research focused on improving plant health and yield.

Hydroponic Crop Production Intern May 2022 - Aug 2022

Village Farms- Monahans, Marfa, and Fort Davis Texas 79756

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Gained hands-on experience in all stages of tomato crop production, from planting to packaging, ensuring top-quality results.

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Learned about crop scouting strategies, detailed record-keeping, and chemical and biological pest control.

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Learned to manage employee systems, including setting piece rates and creating incentive structures to boost performance.

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Gained knowledge of food safety protocols, including best practices for maintaining product quality from harvest to delivery.

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Acquired practical skills in greenhouse maintenance including welding, fixing irrigation pipes, replacing greenhouse fans and pads, and adjusting greenhouse parameters.

Nursery Management Intern June 2021 - Aug 2021

Altman Specialty Plants, Giddings, Texas 78942

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Learned about scouting techniques, organizing records, and implementing IPM strategies.

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Acquired expertise in soil analysis, nutrient requirements, and irrigation management.

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Participated in trial design and implementation, including testing PGRs, fertilizer regimes, and pest control methods for performance evaluation.

Technical and Professional Skills

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Crop & IPM Management: Biological and chemical pest control, scouting, nutrient management, soil & fertilizer optimization.

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Agricultural Technology: Familiarity with precision agriculture tools, data collection & analysis, irrigation systems, greenhouse automation.

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Leadership & Operations: Team training, grower relations, procurement, safety compliance, and inventory control.

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Languages & Software: Bilingual (English/Spanish), Microsoft Office Suite, GIS mapping familiarity.

License

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Private Pesticide Applicator License -Florida

Honors and Awards:

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Honorable Mention, Agribusiness Entrepreneurship - Texas A&M University (TAMU)

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professional engagement, and networking award, Agribusiness Entrepreneurship - TAMU

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Dean’s Honor Roll (5 consecutive semesters), Department of Horticulture - TAMU